With bike lanes being so prevalent, Chicago is an excellent city for bike riding, whether for recreation, exercise, or transportation. But unfortunately, bicycle accidents occur all too often. And because they often also involve motor vehicles, the resulting physical, emotional, and financial injuries from bicycle accidents can be severe and challenging.
If you were involved in a bicycle collision with a motor vehicle, a qualified bicycle accident attorney in Chicago, IL, can help you recover. Our team represents bicycle accident victims throughout the claims process, and we don’t stop until you receive every penny your injuries merit.
In this Article
Take Action Following Your Bicycle Accident
The faster you take action, the smoother the personal injury claims process will be. Therefore, don’t put off consulting with a qualified bike accident attorney. An experienced Chicago bike accident lawyer will review your claim, assess your losses, and build a strong case to ensure you collect fair compensation for your damages.
Provide All Evidence Possible
The more evidence you can give your Chicago bicycle accident lawyer, the better. Hang onto hospital bills, police reports, witness contact info, and photos from the incident and provide them to your attorney. A personal injury lawyer uses this data to prove fault and negotiate maximum compensation for you bicycle accident case.
Bike Accident Injuries You Can Sue for in Chicago
If someone else’s negligence was the reason for your losses, you can sue the liable party for compensation. Discussing your claims for bicycle accidents with a Chicago bicycle accident attorney is the best thing to do if you want to hold negligent motor vehicle drivers accountable for your damages.
During an accident, bicycle riders may incur physical, emotional, and property damages. As Chicago’s experienced personal injury law firm, we fight to obtain bicycle accident settlements to cover every last one of our clients’ losses.
Sue for Physical Damages
When you file a bike accident lawsuit, our attorneys help you receive payment to cover hospital bills and future medical expenses. The most common bicycle-related injuries we see include:
Back and neck injuries
Musculoskeletal trauma
Head injuries (i.e., concussions and traumatic brain injuries)
Broken bones
Sprains, scrapes, and cuts
Joint injuries (which can lead to chronic pain and mobility problems)
Victims of bicycle crashes may also receive disability compensation if their injuries permanently or temporarily limit their mobility, ability to work, or quality of life.
Sue for Emotional Damages
Bicycle accidents are traumatizing. As a victim, you can sue a liable party for emotional distress. Emotional distress is a type of mental suffering that occurs due to another person’s negligence or intentional harm.
Our team helps victims recoup emotional distress by suing the responsible party for pain and suffering. We use evidence to prove that you endured trauma as a result of the accident.
Sue for Property Damages
When a vehicle collides with a bike, it’s rare for the bicycle to make it out unscathed. But your bike is your personal property, and therefore, you can sue a negligent driver for property damages. Property damages typically cover bicycle repairs or replacement costs.
Sue for Financial Damages
If you missed work due to the accident or your injuries, a experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you recoup those financial losses. The at-fault party can compensate you for lost wages and future income you may not earn due to your damages.
What If I Am Liable for the Bicycle Accident?
While riding a bicycle, you have a duty to operate within a reasonable standard of care and follow safe bicycling behaviors. An insurance company may tell you that your negligence contributed to the accident and, therefore, you cannot collect compensation.
If you hear this, hang up the phone and call a bicycle accident lawyer in Chicago. Insurance companies want you to think you do not have a strong case so that they do not have to pay for your settlement.
Illinois adheres to a modified comparative doctrine law, which can make establishing liability tricky. An experienced lawyer will evaluate your claim to determine the percentage of fault. In most cases, as long as your negligence is less than the defendant’s liability, you are still entitled to compensation.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents Lawsuits in Chicago?
Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are common throughout Illinois. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 843 bicyclists were killed by motor vehicles in bicycle accidents in 2019.
What Are Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?
Why do bicycle fatalities happen? In the majority of our cases, a motor vehicle driver exhibits negligence. Drivers have a standard of care to adhere to on the road. When they drive recklessly or carelessly, they can be held responsible for endangering others. Negligent driving includes:
Failing to adhere to traffic signals
Violating traffic laws (such as speeding)
Aggressive driving
Failure to yield to bicyclists or adhere to proper traffic flows
Driving while distracted
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated
Opening a car door in a bike lane without looking around for Chicago cyclists
When to File a Bicycle Crash Claim in Chicago
Illinois law has a two-year statute of limitations for bicycle accident victims. That means you need to file a claim within two years of the date of the accident.
However, there are exceptions to the statute of limitations rule. For example, if you’ve endured property damage, you have five years to file.
With so many deadlines to keep track of, consult with professional Chicago bike accident attorneys right away. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Chicago are knowledgeable in Illinois regulations and will document every claim on time.
Our Experience Handling Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawsuits
Our bicycle accident law firm has been serving the Chicago area for years, and our lawyers have over two decades of experience with bike accidents under their belts. We have assisted injured bicyclists in obtaining thousands in financial recoveries, including $300,000 for a bicyclist struck by a motor vehicle driver. We are familiar with handling a variety of bicycle accident cases, including:
“Doorings” (opening a car door, due to not being aware of cyclists when sharing the road)
A bicycle accident lawyer will work with you to identify the party liable for your collision. We work tirelessly to make sure you receive adequate compensation for your injuries and damages from your bicycle accident lawsuit.
Our Chicago Bicycle Accident Attorneys Are Ready to Help You
The highly experienced Chicago bicycle accident lawyers at The Kryder Law Group are here to fight for your rights. We will do everything in our power to hold the liable party’s insurance company accountable and help you collect financial compensation for your accident injuries.
If you have serious injuries from a bicycle accident, you deserve a fair settlement for your losses. Call our office to set up your free bicycle accident claim evaluation now. Get your free consultation today.
(312) 223-1700