Two motorcyclists were killed in a crash along County Road 18 in Elkhart on Wednesday. According to police, the collision occurred when the driver of a Chrysler minivan failed to yield to an oncoming Harley-Davidson motorcycle and attempted to turn left into a private driveway.

Police say the motorcycle driver laid the bike down in an attempt to avoid the crash but was unsuccessful. Neither he nor his passenger were wearing helmets and were pronounced dead at the scene. The minivan driver and her passenger were uninjured. No citations have been issued at this time, and the crash remains under investigation.

Drivers turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles is one of the most common causes of fatal motorcycle crashes. Some drivers misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or fail to notice it altogether, a phenomenon with motorcycles known as “inattentional blindness.”

In Indiana and most states, drivers making a left turn are almost always considered at fault if they fail to yield to oncoming traffic. State laws require waiting until it is completely clear and safe before turning. Drivers who are found to be negligent after an accident, such as failing to check for oncoming traffic or texting, can face wrongful death claims or criminal charges if reckless driving is involved.

If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, call Wilson & Kinsman, LLC at 574-522-1900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, we serve clients throughout St. Joseph County and throughout the state.

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