Chicago Bicycle Lawyer

With more than 200 miles of bicycle lanes dedicated to riders, bicyclists in Chicago have the same rights and rules as motorists.

The City of Chicago isn’t just a toddling town. It’s a pedaling town too. From the time that the snow melts until it returns again, bikes are a common form of transportation, especially now, given the current gasoline prices. No matter how safe and careful a bicyclist might be though, some riders are still going to be injured in accidents that were caused by the carelessness and negligence of somebody else.

Multiple Impacts Aren’t Unusual

Other than maybe a helmet, bicyclists are virtually unprotected from serious injuries in the event of an accident. They ride on two wheels and not four, and without bumpers, fenders, crumple zones, air bags or seat restraint systems. If there’s even a light impact from a motor vehicle, bicyclists are exposed and unprotected. More likely than not, after that impact, the bicyclist is going to impact with the hard and unforgiving pavement too. It’s not unusual for a bicyclist to get hit by a second vehicle in an accident either.

Bicycle Accidents in Chicago Occur More Frequently Than You Think

According to its most recent numbers from Active Transportation Alliance, it’s safe to project that about 1,700 bicyclists will be injured in accidents in Chicago in 2022. That’s about 4.6 reported injuries per day. Six to eight of those crashes every year will result in fatalities. Those numbers don’t even contemplate days when it’s impossible to ride a bike around town.

Common Bicyclist Accident Injuries

With more than 200 miles of bicycle lanes dedicated to riders, bicyclists in Chicago have the same rights and rules as motorists. Sadly, some motorists disregard those rules, and sometimes, bicyclists are hit. Some common bicyclist accident injuries include but aren’t limited to the following:

Skull fractures, brain hemorrhages and concussions, even when wearing a helmet.
Facial fractures and dental injuries.
Shoulder fractures and dislocations.
Arm and wrist fractures.
Pelvic and hip fractures.
Leg and ankle fractures.
Spinal fractures, disc displacement or herniation.
Damage to internal organs.
Wrongful death.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicyclists know full well that drivers of motor vehicles often don’t see them, or they don’t see them until it’s too late. Moves like the following are made by motorists without regard to crashing into a bicyclist and endangering his or her life:

Changing lanes into a bicyclist.
Turning right into a bicyclist who is traveling in the same direction.
Turning left into a bicyclist.
Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light.
Failing to yield the right-of-way when pulling out from a private drive or alley.
Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two.

Damages Recoverable After a Bicycle Accident

After suffering injuries in a bicycle crash that was caused by the carelessness and negligence of somebody else in Chicago, you’re likely to be eligible to pursue compensation for the injuries and damages that you suffered. Those can include economic damages for medical bills, lost earnings or diminished earning capacity. They can also include non-economic damages like pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement or permanent disability. Other valuable damages are available in the event of a wrongful death.

What if I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident?

Illinois is what’s known as a modified comparative negligence state. So long as you weren’t determined to be more than 50% at fault for an accident, any percentage of fault that might be attributed to you is deducted from a gross award. For example, you might be determined to be 20% at fault for an accident in which a jury awards you a $100,000 verdict. Accordingly, your verdict would be reduced to $80,000. That’s why you need to be careful of what you say after a bicycle accident. The opposing insurer is going to try and push off a percentage or even all of the fault for the accident over onto you.

Be Careful of What You Say and Never Give a Statement

Don’t admit any fault at all at the accident at the scene or on social media. Don’t give any type of written, oral or recorded statement to the opposing insurance company either. Illinois doesn’t require that, and the opposing insurer will only try to use your own words against you in the future to attack your credibility in efforts to devalue your case. Make sure that you preserve and protect your right to pursue the compensation that you deserve for your injuries and damages.