Illinois Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Attorneys for Riders Run Off the Road

Single-vehicle motorcycle crashes, wrecks in which no other moving vehicle hits the rider, are more common and more deadly than many people realize. They often involve a rider leaving the roadway, striking a fixed object, sliding out in a corner, or losing control because of speed, impairment, or a sudden surface hazard. Understanding how and why these crashes occur is critical to prevention and, if you’re injured, to proving fault and recovering compensation.

At John J. Malm & Associates, we know firsthand how devastating motorcycle accidents can be. For over 25 years, our team has represented injured motorcyclists throughout Illinois, helping them secure justice and compensation after serious crashes. While many motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle, single-vehicle motorcycle accidents are also common and often result in catastrophic injuries. These accidents can occur due to road hazards, defective parts, or negligence by municipalities or third parties. Our firm is committed to standing up for injured riders and their families, holding at-fault parties accountable, and ensuring that victims are not left to bear the financial and emotional burden of an accident alone.

What Counts as a “Single-Vehicle” Motorcycle Crash?

A single-vehicle crash is any collision where only one motor vehicle (here, the motorcycle) is involved. That includes:

• Running wide in a turn and departing the roadway
• Low-side or high-side falls without contact by another vehicle
• Striking a fixed object (guardrail, post, tree, curb)
• Hitting debris, gravel, oil, or a pothole and losing control
• “No-contact” crashes caused by another driver’s negligent action (e.g., a left-turning car cuts you off, you brake/evade, and go down without contact)

Even though only one vehicle is involved, fault is not always on the rider. Poor road maintenance, defective parts, or a negligent “phantom vehicle” can still be responsible. The law in Illinois allows recovery against a government entity, contractor, manufacturer, or unknown motorist (via uninsured motorist coverage) when evidence supports it.

How Common Are Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Fatalities?

National safety agencies track how riders are hurt and killed. Recent figures show a significant share of motorcyclist deaths occur in single-vehicle events:

• According to the NHTSA, 2023, 35% of motorcyclist deaths in the United States happened in single-vehicle crashes.
• Riders in single-vehicle fatal crashes show a striking link with alcohol: in 2023, 41% of riders who died in single-vehicle crashes were alcohol-impaired (BAC ≥ .08).
• Speeding remains a powerful contributor: 36% of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes in 2023 were speeding, far higher than passenger car drivers.
• Fixed objects are a frequent “first harmful event”: in 2023, 24% of motorcycles in fatal crashes struck a fixed object (versus 16% for passenger cars).

These numbers highlight why single-vehicle incidents demand the same investigative rigor as multi-vehicle crashes.

What the Latest IDOT Data Shows about Motorcycle Crashes

The Illinois Department of Transportation publishes annual crash facts that allow a closer look at local risk of serious motorcycle accidents:

• In 2023, Illinois recorded 3,147 motorcycle crashes, including 161 fatal motorcycle crashes and 2,204 injury crashes. 168 motorcyclists were killed and 2,373 were injured statewide.
• Motorcycle crashes made up 1.1% of all crashes but 13.5%–14.1% of statewide traffic fatalities, reflecting the disproportionate harm when riders go down.
• IDOT’s maneuver data shows “Skidding/Control Loss” in 246 crashes and “Going Straight Ahead” in 1,974, categories in which surface conditions, speed choice, braking inputs, and lane position often decide outcomes.

While IDOT’s public table doesn’t break out single-vehicle vs. multi-vehicle by itself, the high count of fixed-object and loss-of-control patterns is consistent with national trends in single-vehicle crashes. (Fixed-object collisions and roadway departures are hallmark patterns NHTSA associates with severe rider harm.)

The Most Common Pathways to a Single-Vehicle Crash

Even when another driver never touches the bike, a web of risk factors often converges:

• Speed selection and cornering lines: Entering a turn too fast for the available traction or sight distance leads to mid-corner panic braking, running wide, or a slide. NHTSA’s 2023 data underscores the heavy speeding involvement among fatally injured riders.
• Alcohol impairment: Judgment, balance, and reaction time suffer. That’s why the alcohol-impairment percentage among riders who die in single-vehicle crashes is so high (41%).
• Surface hazards and traction changes: Gravel, sand, leaves, tar snakes, steel plates, oil, paint stripes, or polished concrete at gas stations all can reduce grip abruptly, especially at lean. NHTSA’s environment summary for 2023 also shows most rider fatalities occur in clear/cloudy weather, not rain, meaning ordinary, “dry” surprises are often the culprit.
• Fixed objects and run-off-road geometry: Contact with guardrails, utility poles, or trees carries high energy transfer, explaining the outsized share of fatalities when fixed objects are struck.
• Mechanical/maintenance issues: Worn tires, underinflation, tired suspension, or misadjusted brakes magnify every mistake.
• Training and licensing gaps: In 2023, 34% of riders in fatal crashes were riding without a valid motorcycle license/endorsement, a marker correlated with lower formal training exposure.

Why Single-Vehicle Does Not Always Mean “Rider’s Fault”

Liability can extend beyond the rider even without contact from another vehicle:

• Roadway defects or negligent maintenance: Dangerous potholes, inadequate signage, loose gravel after chip-seal, or poorly designed construction transitions can be actionable.
• Phantom vehicle negligence: A driver turns left or merges into your lane; you brake/evade and crash without contact. Eyewitnesses, dashcams, intersection cameras, and 911 records can support a claim against the unknown driver via uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.
• Defective parts or aftermarket components: Tire belt separations, brake failures, or faulty steering head bearings can trigger product liability claims.
• Improper work by repair shops: Negligent service (wrong torque on axle pinch bolts, contaminated brake pads) can be a proximate cause.

Because the injured rider bears the burden of proof, preserving evidence (photos, scene measurements, vehicle downloads, witness statements) is vital in any single-vehicle crash investigation.

Why Motorcycle Insurance Coverage Choices Matter

Motorcyclists face a disproportionate risk of severe injury. NHTSA repeatedly finds riders have markedly higher fatality rates per vehicle mile than passenger vehicle occupants, and helmet use strongly influences survivability. In 2023, in states without universal helmet laws (including Illinois), 51% of motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets, compared to 10% in universal-law states.

Financially, that translates to:

• High acute medical costs (trauma, surgery, ICU)
• Long-term rehab, prosthetics, or assistive devices
• Lost income/earning capacity
• Home/vehicle modifications

Given the frequency of single-vehicle crashes and the possibility of a “no-contact” negligent driver, riders should review:

• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) at limits that match or exceed liability
• MedPay (medical payments coverage), which can be invaluable regardless of fault
• Accessory coverage for gear and aftermarket parts
• Disability and life insurance for worst-case scenarios

Building (and Winning) a Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Case

A strong claim starts at the scene and continues through expert-driven reconstruction.

Action steps after a crash (if you’re able):

• Call 911 and request police response; insist on a report
• Photograph the scene (approach path, skid/scrub marks, gouges), your bike, your gear, and any roadway defect or debris
• Identify witnesses and nearby cameras (businesses, homes, traffic signals)
• Preserve your helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots (impact patterns can corroborate your version of events)
• Seek prompt medical evaluation because delays are used against you
• Notify your insurer without recorded statements until you’ve spoken with an experienced Illinois motorcycle accident lawyer

How attorneys prove liability in “single-vehicle” scenarios:

• Scene inspections and 3D scans to document friction, slope, and sight lines
• Crash data: some modern motorcycles record limited diagnostic data; adjacent vehicles’ dashcams can be gold
• Road design & maintenance records through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
• Expert analysis (human factors, product defect, traffic engineering)
• Insurance coverage mapping (UM/UIM stacking, additional insureds, road contractors)

Evidence Patterns That Matter in Single-Vehicle Claims

Investigators and insurers look for concrete links between conditions and outcomes. Helpful proof often includes:

• Photographic evidence of a gravel spill, pothole dimensions, or uneven utility cuts
• Fresh scrape marks on guardrails or curbs, matching damage to bike/gear
• 911 calls about the same hazard shortly before your crash
• Work zone logs and sweeping records after resurfacing or chip-seal projects
• Prior complaints to the city/county about the hazard location
• Surveillance footage showing a left-turning vehicle that forced your evasive action

Having the right Illinois motorcycle injury attorney to advocate for your rights can make all the difference when it comes to getting the compensation you deserve. It’s not just about financial compensation, it’s about protecting your future. – John J. Malm, Naperville motorcycle accident lawyer

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Single Motorcycle Accidents

Q: Are single-vehicle motorcycle crashes usually the rider’s fault?
A: Not necessarily. While rider decisions (speed, impairment) feature prominently in national data, many single-vehicle crashes stem from roadway defects, construction hazards, defective parts, or no-contact driver negligence. Investigate before you assume responsibility.

Q: If a car forced me off the road but didn’t hit me, do I have a case?
A: Possibly. Eyewitnesses, dashcams, and traffic cameras can establish the other driver’s negligence. Your uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply even if the driver fled or can’t be identified.

Q: Does weather cause most single-vehicle crashes?
A: Surprisingly, no. In 2023, 97% of motorcyclist fatalities occurred in clear/cloudy conditions. Most deadly wrecks happen in ordinary weather, which underscores the role of speed, impairment, and surface surprises.

Q: What should I do right after a single-vehicle wreck?
A: Call 911, photograph the scene and hazards, identify witnesses, preserve your gear and bike, seek immediate medical care, and consult counsel before giving recorded statements.

Q: What compensation can I recover?
A: Medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, and, in tragic cases, wrongful death damages. Coverage sources can include another driver (even if no contact), a government entity/contractor, a manufacturer, and your own UM/UIM and MedPay.

Contact the 5-Star Rated Illinois Motorcycle Accident Attorneys at John J. Malm & Associates

Single-vehicle motorcycle crashes are not an automatic indictment of rider fault. The data show complex, recurring patterns, speed, impairment, run-off-road geometry, and fixed objects, interacting with roadway and equipment realities. Thorough investigation can uncover non-rider causes, from negligent “phantom vehicles” to dangerous road work and product defects.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash, rapid evidence preservation and a motorcycle-savvy legal team can make all the difference.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a single-vehicle motorcycle accident, you do not have to face the aftermath on your own. Insurance companies and negligent parties will try to shift blame onto the rider, but our experienced Illinois motorcycle crash lawyers know how to investigate the cause of the crash, preserve critical evidence, and pursue the compensation you deserve. At John J. Malm & Associates, we are proud to fight for Illinois motorcyclists and their families. Contact our office today for a free consultation, and let us help you take the first step toward recovery.