Bicycle riding has been increasing in the city of Chicago, but the city’s public bike network hasn’t kept up. In fact, Chicago ranks as one of the very worst cities when it comes to being called “bike-friendly” by cyclists. This disparity directly puts bicycle riders at a greater risk of experiencing a bicycle accident.
Unfortunately, a bike crash can lead to a host of unexpected losses for the rider. In these situations, talking with a qualified Chicago bicycle accident lawyer might be the best way to determine your options for recovery.
Here at DJC Law, our team of bicycle accident attorneys has been helping clients get the financial compensation they need to move forward from accidents for over 30 years. Our team is proud of our 99% successful case win rate and settlement awards exceeding $400 million.
Our legal advocates understand that bicycle accident injuries can have substantial impacts on your overall quality of life, and we want to make sure that you get justice after your incident. Learn more about bicycle accidents in Chicago, the consequences of them, the process of filing a claim, and how our lawyers can help you go through the process below.
The Reality of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago
According to the City of Chicago, 54% of households in the city own and use their bicycles regularly. Riding bicycles is a healthy, eco-friendly way to get around, but it does have its setbacks. Chicago cyclists face many risks when they traverse through the city, in large part due to a 30 mph default speed limit and a series of unconnected bike lanes and pathways. Since not all of Chicago’s bike lane areas are connected, there are more bike accidents when the cyclist needs to go across traffic.
Understanding Chicago bicycle laws keeps everyone safer on the road. When possible, bikers should use a designated bike lane. When that’s not available, they should ride as far to the right as possible. Motor vehicles should give bikers the right of way when they have no other option but to ride on the road.
Reports show that there were 1,717 bicycle crash reports in 2022 in the city of Chicago. If you get involved in a bike accident, then it’s important to first call for medical help, file a police report, and then get in touch with Chicago bicycle accident lawyers who can help.
What are the Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago?
Recent statistics suggest that the bicycling rate in Chicago has doubled over the past five years, so it makes sense that more Chicago bicycle accidents are also occurring. Most bicycle collisions in Chicago city are the direct result of human error, but it’s important to carefully consider the circumstances of your accident to determine who or what could’ve caused it. Your legal options for recovery could be limited depending on what caused your crash.
Driver Negligence
The number one cause of bicycle accidents is driver negligence. A negligent driver fails to reasonably care for everyone else’s safety, and their behavior directly puts everyone at risk of experiencing a crash. In the context of a bike crash, the negligent party could be motor vehicle drivers, motorcycle riders, or pedestrians, but it could also be the bicyclist, too. In general, the at fault driver will be held responsible for the accident in Illinois, so it’s important to identify if someone else’s behavior caused your collision.
The most common example of driver negligence is distracted driving. Distracted driving happens when you take your focus off the road, even briefly. More examples of negligent driving behaviors include speeding, failing to yield to traffic, not following traffic laws, road rage, or drinking and driving.
Another factor that contributes to bicycle accidents in Chicago is driver inattention at intersections. Too often, bike riders are not given the right of way in intersections. In one recent case, a child suffered life-threatening injuries after getting struck in an intersection in Pistakee Highlands. Sadly, the driver wasn’t driving on the proper side of the two-lane road at the time of the collision.
Road Conditions
Road conditions that contribute to bicycle accidents are a very controversial topic in Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois. Since local, county, and state governments are the entities responsible for maintaining public roads, they can potentially be held liable for poor road infrastructure. Sadly, recent court cases in the state haven’t been favoring cyclists. In 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that the city of Chicago wouldn’t be held liable for damages in a bicycle accident caused by a pothole because no signage for bike riders was present on that road. In other words, the city argued that bicyclists were permitted users of the road, but they weren’t intended to ride on the part of the road where the pothole was present.
Avoiding accountability using these types of legal arguments is unconscionable. Our team here at DJC Law will advocate for you to the fullest if you believe the city is rightfully responsible for your bike accident due to not maintaining the roadways.
Unfortunately, a lack of designated bike lanes in Chicago has also contributed to a large number of bicycle accidents. According to many advocates, paint on the road is simply not enough protection for bikers.
Weather Conditions
Rain, snow, ice, and fog can all contribute to or cause a Chicago bicycle accident. When visibility is poor, a bicycle accident becomes much more likely, especially when the bicyclist has no other option but to ride on the road. When a bicycle accident is caused by poor weather conditions, your options for recovery may be limited unless you can identify another cause that contributed to the crash.
Mechanical Failures
Faulty bike equipment can also cause a bicycle rider to lose control and crash. The bike or part manufacturer could be held responsible for your losses if the defective bicycle part or mechanical bike failure caused your crash. Bicycle manufacturers have a legal obligation to ensure they follow all the best proper bicycle safety regulations when making bikes.
Other Factors to Consider
Bike accidents can also be caused by other factors, like animal encounters on a more secluded bike path or pedestrian interference in more public areas. On roads that have bike lanes, cyclists need to be cautious about getting struck by a car door opening unexpectedly on the shoulder. This type of bike crash can cause serious injuries to the biker. Chicago bicycle laws state that a vehicle that doors a cyclist can be fined up to $1,000, and it is the car occupant’s legal responsibility to look for oncoming traffic, including bicyclists, before they open the door. That said, if you get doored, then the vehicle’s driver is likely to be found legally responsible for your losses.
What are the statistics for bicycle accidents in Chicago?
Consequences of Bicycle Accidents
The consequences of bicycle accidents are typically pretty substantial, especially when the cyclists collide with a faster, heavier car. Depending on the circumstances under which the accident occurred, the consequences of the crash could be irreversible. Some physical and emotional scars from the crash may never heal, especially when the incident involved a fatality.
Physical Injuries
The most obvious consequence of a bike crash is the physical injuries sustained in the collision. When a biker and a motor vehicle collide, bicyclists usually sustain serious injuries. Many of the most common bicycle accident injuries require a lengthy recovery period. Bike riders who experience substantial injuries, like a spinal cord injury or a serious head injury, might not ever fully recover.
Some of the most commonly reported bike injuries include:
• Fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Skull fractures and similar head injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Road rash
• Whiplash
Since bicycle injuries usually cause long-term health impacts, it’s crucial to seek out medical attention as soon as possible after the crash. Once you have a medical treatment plan in place, it’s time to contact local bicycle accident lawyers about your options.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Chicago bike accidents also often result in significant emotional distress for injured cyclists. Experiencing the fear and terror of actually getting hit by a vehicle, suffering a painful injury, and getting treated at a hospital can be traumatic. To add to that, the lasting impacts of the injury can result in significant impacts on the person’s quality of life. This can result in anxiety, depression, and even the development of PTSD.
Financial Burden
Another consequence of a bike accident is the financial burden of the economic losses associated with the crash. Following the collision, you’ll likely need medical treatment, which will result in medical expenses. Your medical bills could quickly add up if you need long-term treatment or require a lengthy rehabilitation. In the meantime, you could suffer from lost wages, too, until you can return to work. The damage to your bike will likely be costly to repair as well. If your financial burden is significant, then it’s important to consider your options for seeking financial compensation by filing a legal claim against a negligent party.
The Legal Process for Bicycle Accident Victims
If you experience a bicycle crash in Chicago that leaves you injured, then the first thing you need to do is call for medical help. Notifying a police officer about what happened will help you not only get the emergency medical attention you need but also help launch an investigation into what happened. Officers will note any visible injuries in their report as well as begin attempting to determine who or what caused the crash.
Once you get the treatment you need, you can start to analyze the extent of your losses to determine if you should seek compensation by filing a legal claim. A bicycle accident claim can help you recover compensation when the other party was negligent. To begin your case, you’ll first want to get in touch with a lawyer.
Initial Consultation
Bicycle accident cases begin when you initially get in touch with an attorney. During your first meeting, you’ll discuss your accident, losses, and the impact of your injuries on your overall quality of life. The right attorney will use this information to determine your legal options. If you have the basis to file a claim, then your lawyer can help you start gathering up the right evidence and documentation to prove your case.
Investigation
Next, your personal injury lawyer will start collecting evidence in the form of police reports, eyewitness accounts, medical records, property damage estimates, and video surveillance. Your bicycle accident attorney will want to secure enough proof that documents exactly what caused your accident and how much you’ve lost.
Here at DJC Law, we ensure that injured bicyclists get the full compensation they’re entitled to by working with experts like accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals who can expound on your medical records and the impact of your injury on your long-term health.
Filing a Claim
Once your Chicago personal injury lawyers have all the evidence and documentation together, they can officially file your legal claim. The statute of limitations in Illinois gives you up to two years from the date of your crash to file a personal injury claim. First, your lawyer will file the official paperwork with your local court. Then, the lawsuit will be served to the defendant. Soon, you’ll be contacted by either the other party’s legal team or insurance company.
Litigation
Next, your accident lawyer will begin focusing on litigating your case, which starts with pre-trial motions and the discovery process. The other party will want to thoroughly go over your claims and evidence. Once they do, negotiations will begin. If you create a solid case upfront, then the other party might be more willing to quickly resolve the situation and pay you what you deserve. If a settlement isn’t reached at this stage, then your attorney will begin preparing for court.
Settlement Tactics
The best Chicago bike accident attorneys know how to tactfully negotiate with the other party. They also know how to properly evaluate settlement offers you might receive to ensure you don’t accept a settlement that’s less than what you deserve in your bicycle accident case. Here at DJC Law, you can rely on our attorneys to fight for what you deserve, even if that means going to trial.
Types of Compensation Available
Bicycle accident victims experience a host of consequences and losses after a crash. Personal injury cases arise when that crash wasn’t the biker’s fault, and the biker wants to seek just compensation from the responsible party. The right accident lawyer can help you properly identify and quantify your losses if you’re experiencing a similar situation. Below, we’ll go over the types of compensation available in a personal injury claim.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are defined as the actual financial losses associated with an accident and injury. A solid bicycle accident lawyer will be sure to document every expense you incur including current medical bills, future medical expenses, property damage to your bicycle, lost wages, and more depending on your specific circumstances.
Non-Economic Damages
Chicago bicycle accidents also result in losses that aren’t financial. Non economic damages are designed to help reimburse the victim for these losses. A few example of non-economic losses include emotional distress, pain and suffering, permanent scarring, or a loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
Chicago bicycle accident attorneys may be able to secure punitive damages when the other party’s recklessness or negligence was extreme. Punitive damages aren’t awarded that often, since they aren’t designed to compensate the injured party but to punish the responsible party. Punitive damages would be appropriate when the other party is likely to cause another similar accident in the future despite the harm they’ve caused. For instance, in a situation where the responsible party committed a hit and run while speed racing and doesn’t display any remorse at all, the judge may decide to levy punitive damages.
Why Choose DJC Law for Your Bicycle Accident Case
When you choose to work with an experienced bicycle accident attorney from DJC Law, you’ll be leveraging over 25 years of experience and utilizing our network of extensive personal injury law resources to seek justice in your case. Our team’s personalized approach and dedication to each case has resulted in past testimonials like this one, “They are very professional, yet caring and understanding about your situation and will do everything in their power to help you!” Our clients often recommend our services because we deliver results. Some of our most notable past results include recovering $2.25 million in a trucking accident, $1.3 million in a car accident, and $2.9 million in a pedestrian accident.
Preventing Bicycle Accidents
The top way to prevent a bike crash is to remain as vigilant as possible while traveling, whether you’re riding a bike, driving a car, or walking alongside the road. Bikers can reduce the chance of a serious injury by wearing protective gear, bicycle accident attorneys can continue to advocate for injured cyclists, and everyone should support and advocate for improved infrastructure and bike-friendly policies in Chicago.
Chicago Bicycle Safety Tips
Contact Us
Are you ready to get in touch with a qualified and reliable Chicago bicycle accident attorney? Once you reach out to DJC Law, our team will schedule a free consultation meeting with you, where you’ll get the opportunity to discuss all the details of your bicycle accident, injuries, and losses. We’ll help you identify your legal options, but you won’t be obligated to use our services unless you think it’s worth your time and effort to pursue a case.
If you are ready to set up a consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer today, then contact our Chicago office at (312) 442-5555. If you’d rather meet in person, then you can stop by our office, which is located at 140 S Dearborn Street, Suite 1610.
Getting Started on Your Chicago Bicycle Accident Claim
A bicycle crash can leave you physically injured, emotionally distressed, and financially desperate. Considering your vulnerable state, it’s imperative to get in touch with a Chicago bike accident lawyer with the right specialized knowledge and experience to fully advocate for you. Without a lawyer, you could make the mistake of accepting less than what you deserve or missing out on getting your rightful compensation.
At DJC Law, our team is dedicated to fighting for justice and seeking out full and fair compensation in your situation. Schedule a free consultation with our office now to get in touch about your legal rights and options moving forward.