While Illinois isn’t one of the top 10 U.S. states for traffic accidents, they still occur and they have been on the rise in recent years. Traffic accidents involve motor vehicles, non-vehicles, and even individuals who may use a portion of the road. Here are five of the most common types of traffic accidents that occur in Illinois.

#1: Bicycle Accidents

The good news is that bicycle crashes are relatively rare in Illinois— but that doesn’t mean that they don’t happen at all. Most of the time injuries sustained in bike-related crashes are minor (particularly when they involve another bicyclist or pedestrian), but they can be more devastating when involving motor vehicles. Bicyclists are known as vulnerable road users because they don’t have the same amount of protection as most motor vehicles. The most common causes of bike crashes include:

• Dooring: the motor vehicle driver opens their door and it extends into the path of the bicyclist
• Left cross: driver makes a left turn into the path of the bicyclist
• Right hook: driver collides with a bicyclist when making a right turn

#2: Car Accidents

Car accidents (including SUVs and trucks) are much more common in Illinois, although Illinois is one of the safest states to drive in. However, when car accidents do occur, they can also range in severity for both bodily injury and property damages. Some of the most common types of car accidents include:

• Blind spot/merging accidents
• Head-on collisions
• Multi-vehicle crashes
• Rear-end collisions
• Rollover accidents
• Single-vehicle crashes
• T-bone accidents

The most common cause of car accidents (involving other vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians) is distracted driving. This includes texting, talking on the phone and to other passengers, doing other things on your phone, and even eating. Other causes include reckless driving (e.g., speeding), impaired driving (driving under the influence), fatigued driving, and bad weather (e.g., rain, or snow and ice during the winter).

#3: Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are a little more common in Illinois than bicycle accidents, and the majority usually occur in the Chicago area. Even though motorcycles are motor vehicles, their drivers don’t have the same protection as those in other motor vehicles, making them vulnerable road users as well. Because motorcyclists drive on the road with other vehicles (as opposed to using bike lanes), they’re more likely to be involved in an accident and make up about 15% of all accident fatalities in Illinois.

Motorcyclists are almost never at fault when involved in an accident because it’s easy for them to see cars, but it’s not always easy for cars to see motorcycles. However, motorcyclists may not receive all of the compensation they’re entitled to after being hit by another vehicle. Fortunately, motorcycle accident attorneys in Chicago and all over Illinois can help.

#4: Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians are another type of vulnerable road user and are arguably the most vulnerable ones. In Illinois, pedestrian accidents increased from 2020 to 2021, with most accidents occurring on roadways away from intersections. Illinois law states that pedestrians have the right of way in a crosswalk, meaning that drivers should yield when they see pedestrians in crosswalks. On the other hand, pedestrians must yield to drivers if they’re not yet in a crosswalk— and this is when some accidents occur.

Other causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• Distracted driving
• Left-hand turns
• impaired driving
• Rolling stops
• Unmarked crosswalks

#5: Truck Accidents

Large commercial truck (also known as big rigs, semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and 18-wheelers) accidents are usually the most devastating types of traffic accidents, to pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and car drivers. This is because these trucks are considerably larger than all other vehicles on the road. Some of the most common roadways that see these types of accidents include:

• I-80
• I-88
• I-90
• I-94

The majority of accidents are concentrated in the Chicago Metro Area, but they occur all over Illinois. Reasons for these accidents include fatigued truck drivers, driving too fast, and the negligence of other drivers of smaller vehicles. Oftentimes it’s the fault of other drivers when they’re in a wreck involving a big truck.

The majority of traffic accidents in Illinois can be prevented if everyone practices safe and even defensive driving methods. All drivers should put away all distractions while driving and should avoid drinking alcohol and taking any kind of drug (including some cold medicines) before driving. All traffic laws should be followed, and drivers should be aware of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists on the road.