Causes of Bicycle Accidents
The following happened in or around bike lanes in the Windy City in a recent year:
- 50 crashes in Milwaukee Avenue bike lanes
- 43 crashes along Halstead Street
- 29 accidents in Damen Avenue bike lanes
- 24 crashes along Clark Street
- 18 accidents on Wells Street
Almost 75 percent of all bicyclist deaths occur in urban areas, and Chicago is no exception. The two primary factors in deadly bicycle accidents are failing to yield the right of way and visibility.
These and many other factors can cause bike accidents. For example, since bicycles aren’t as easy to see, motorists should always use caution when driving in the presence of a bicyclist or where one is likely to be near. Distracted or inattentive driving can cause disaster.
Additionally, many motorists are unfamiliar with Illinois bike road laws that state cyclists have the same roadway rights as motorists. If motorists are unaware of this, they may cut in front of the cyclist, turn when they should yield to the bicyclist, or take other actions that can result in a collision. Being unfamiliar with the laws is no excuse; drivers must still abide by the laws of the road.
Motorists may hit someone on a bicycle due to the following factors:
- Low visibility
- Failure to yield
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Dangerous roads
- Construction
- Ignoring traffic signals
After a bicycle accident, it’s imperative to determine what occurred and who is responsible. Holding the right person liable for your damages and injuries is the key to maximizing your compensation. Accidents might appear simple, but often they are much more complicated than they seem. This is why many accident victims choose to hire our experienced Chicago bicycle accident lawyers to represent them in their claims.
Bicycle Accidents Due to Negligence
Negligence is a legal concept. Someone is negligent when they fail to take the same action that another reasonably prudent person in similar circumstances should have taken. Negligence alone does not give merit to an injury case; it is when that negligence causes injuries and damages that a claim is appropriate.
To win an injury claim based on negligence, the injured individual’s bicycle accident lawyer must establish:
The at-fault party owed a duty of care, such as driving safely and paying attention
They violated that duty by speeding, texting, or some other means
The at-fault party’s violation of their duty caused the accident, which caused your injuries
Because of your injuries, you suffered losses such as medical bills and pain and suffering
Steps to Take after a Bicycle Crash
After a bike crash, seek medical help as soon as possible. Get emergency medical attention if your injuries are life- or limb-threatening or otherwise severe. Even if you don’t require emergency care, a doctor should still examine you. Many patients have injuries that aren’t immediately recognizable but turn out to be serious. Lack of initial medical treatment and injury documentation can negatively impact your legal claim.
After a bicycle crash, do your health and legal claim a favor by getting examined by a licensed physician as soon as possible.
If you experience these severe symptoms, seek medical evaluation immediately:
Profuse bleeding
Difficulty with breathing or painful breathing
Loss of consciousness, confusion, vision changes, or a cracked helmet
Difficulty moving the neck
Tender, distended, or hard areas of the abdomen
Numbness, tingling, or the inability to move fingers or toes
Shooting pain in an extremity or difficulty moving it
Deep lacerations
Once you are medically stable, your next step should be to reach out to Midwest Injury Lawyers to schedule your no-obligation consultation with one of our seasoned Chicago bicycle accident lawyers. During this consultation, we will ask about the details of your wreck, how it happened, who might have caused it, and the injuries and damages you suffered. We can then provide a legal roadmap detailing how our law firm can help you.
How Bicycle Accident Lawsuits Work
Motorists and their passengers have the protection of a vehicle frame, airbags, seatbelts, and many other safety features. Bicyclists might have a helmet and some knee or elbow pads at best. Other than quality helmets, they lack any protection that can save them from severe or life-threatening injuries.
If you or someone you love was recently injured or killed in such an accident, you need a trustworthy bicycle accident law firm. Look no further than Midwest Injury Lawyers. Our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers understand how devastating bicycle accident injuries can be and aren’t afraid to stand up for your rights—even to corporate giants and their legal teams.
Injuries to Extremities
Bike accidents usually result in injuries to the upper and lower extremities. Many of these acute injuries are often minor and will heal completely with time and some limited medical attention.
These include:
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Strains
- Fractures
Similar to motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents often cause road rash, leaving superficial abrasions on exposed skin. When road rash occurs, it might require debris removal from the skin and be very painful.
Traumatic Injuries
Bike crashes regularly result in trauma to the cyclist.
The most common types of traumatic injuries include:
- Concussions
- Skull fracture
- Contusions
- Cranial hemorrhage
Head Injuries
Helmets can help prevent and reduce the severity of head injuries. Injured bicyclists are at the most significant risk of a head injury, which occurs in about one-quarter to one-half of all injured bicyclists. Unfortunately, head injuries are often quite severe and sometimes fatal. Most long-term disabilities arising from bicycle accidents are related to head injuries.
Psychological Injuries
Not all injuries are visible. Bicycle accidents can leave lasting imprints on survivors’ psyche, causing depression, anxiety, panic attacks, mood swings, and paranoia, severely impacting their quality and enjoyment of life. Unfortunately, these are no less debilitating than physical injuries and can be very difficult to cope with and manage. In addition, some may require years of counseling or even medication management.
The Illinois Bicycle Accident Statute of Limitations
Don’t put off seeking our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys’ assistance. The law limits how long accident victims can file a lawsuit. You have two years from your accident to file most lawsuits, and the deadline may increase or decrease depending on your claim. Regardless, if you don’t file a claim by this deadline, you won’t have any legal recourse to obtain financial compensation for your injuries or the death of your loved one. Call us today to ensure compliance with the statute of limitations and protect your right to seek damages.
Damages in Bicycle Accident Claims
People who suffer injuries in a bicycle accident might have several damages for which the person who caused the accident or their insurance company owes them compensation. They may be incurring tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills, missing paychecks from being unable to go to work, all the while dealing with pain and physical limitations from their injuries.
Some damages represent financial losses or obligations, while others represent intangible losses.
Financial or economic damages might include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost income
- Travel expenses for medical appointments or treatment
- Repairs or replacements for your bicycle or other damaged property
Intangible losses or non-economic losses might include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
You might have other damages not listed here. If you hire a skilled Chicago bicycle accident lawyer, they can help you determine your damages and fight to get you compensation for them.
Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyers FAQs
In most bicyclist accident cases, the parties involved agree on a financial settlement to cover the claimant’s damages, thereby avoiding further legal action. Negotiating a settlement requires skill and patience. As such, many injured individuals and their families turn to experienced Chicago bicycle accident lawyers for help.
Litigation is sometimes a long and emotionally taxing process for injured individuals. It is also expensive and draining for the at-fault party, their insurance companies, and legal counsel. For these reasons, most of the time, both parties will negotiate a settlement before heading to court.
A settlement is an agreed-upon amount of money the at-fault party, usually through their insurance company, will pay the injured party to drop their claim and not pursue it in court. Sometimes the amount of the settlement is kept confidential.
In return for the settlement, the injured party agrees to permanently drop their claim against the at-fault party. Injured parties are not required to accept a settlement. Still, they should consult with their bicycle accident lawyer to determine the best course of action.
You may realize several benefits to settling your case instead of pursuing it in court. First, some bike injury victims don’t want to testify in court or go through further legal battles and decide to settle. Insurance companies often don’t want to risk defending their insured against sympathetic juries. Settlements save both sides time and expense, allowing the bicyclist financial relief to come sooner rather than later.
Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible after the accident will not only help ensure you file your case within the statute of limitations but also help your attorney gather and preserve valuable evidence. The more time that passes after your accident, the more likely it is for evidence crucial to your case to be lost, hidden, or destroyed.
Evidence in a bicycle accident claim can include:
- Damaged bicycle
- Bike helmet
- Testimony of witnesses
- Photos or videos of the scene after the accident
- Medical records
Evidence can help paint a picture of what happened before, during, and after your bicycle accident. It will help prove how the accident occurred, who is liable, and what your damages are worth.
The value of a bicycle accident claim depends on many factors. Some of these factors include the limits of the applicable insurance policies and the strength of the evidence in the case. To maximize your financial recovery, you’ll want to hire a skilled attorney who can take your claim to court if a lawsuit becomes necessary. In fact, the best way to determine how much your bicycle accident claim is worth is to speak to one.
Speak to Our Skilled Chicago Bicycle Crash Attorneys Today
Those injured in bicycle crashes often feel overwhelmed. They are trying to recover from their physical injuries, which may include having surgery or going to frequent doctor or therapy appointments. Their everyday expenses can start piling up as they suffer lost income while healing from their injuries. To make matters even worse, insurance adjusters might call, asking confusing or intimidating questions, or perhaps even blaming you for your injuries. Reach out to a Chicago personal injury lawyer.
Bicycle accident victims and their loved ones deserve compensation for their damages and injuries. However, pursuing their monetary award while healing from such an injury can prove difficult at best. To obtain such compensation promptly and to the full extent, they need the experience, dedication, and knowledge of our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys.
At Midwest Injury Lawyers, we offer free case reviews for bicycle accident victims and their families. You can reach us at (312) 786-5881 or online for yours today.
Client Testimonial
“We are so happy with our decision to utilize the services of Midwest Injury Lawyers. They were so kind and kept us informed and educated on our options to make the best decision for our family.” -Leah C. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read more of our Google reviews.
Midwest Injury Lawyers – Chicago Office
155 N Upper Wacker Drive, Suite 4250
Chicago, IL 60606
P: (312) 786-5881
A Word from One of Our Bicycle Injury Lawyers
Bicycle accident cases often involve very serious injuries. It is extremely important to quickly investigate the scene of an accident, speak with witnesses, and gather any video or photographic evidence that may exist. When bicycle accident cases go to trial, having a lawyer that understands the unfair biases many jurors have against riders can be an essential difference between winning and losing.
– Samuel R. Carl
Request a Free Consultation
Tell our experienced team about your accident and/or injuries. One of our personal injury attorneys will contact you to schedule a free case evaluation. Remember: you won’t pay for anything unless we secure a compensation on your behalf.
Call (312) 786-5881 or send us a message online to get started.