When a bicycle accident involves a reckless or negligent motorist, navigating the personal injury law process can be overwhelming. This is where a Des Plaines bicycle accident lawyer steps in. With in-depth knowledge of Illinois bicycle traffic laws, our personal injury law firm can advocate for bicycle accident victims to secure the compensation they deserve.
In this Article
Do I Need a Des Plaines Bicycle Accident Attorney?
If someone else’s recklessness caused your accident, resulting in severe injuries, lost wages, or high medical bills, a personal injury attorney can help. Our lawyers handle every aspect of your case: investigating the accident, consulting accident reconstruction experts, gathering critical evidence (like skid marks, police reports, witness statements, and medical records), negotiating with the other driver’s insurance company, and handling the details of your bicycle accident claim. When bike injuries are fatal, we can file a wrongful death claim. If negotiations with the insurance carrier fail to recover full and fair compensation, we can take your case to court.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Des Plaines
Common examples of accidents involving an at-fault driver include:
- Distracted driving or texting behind the wheel
- Not yielding to cyclists at intersections or protected bike lanes
- Opening parked car doors suddenly into bike paths (dooring)
- Poorly maintained roads
No matter how your accident happened, injured bicyclists can count on our Des Plaines personal injury lawyers to handle the claim to recover compensation from an at-fault party.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Even though helmets are designed to protect cyclists, riders can suffer serious injuries from motor vehicle accidents that require medical attention. These bicycle-car accident injuries can include broken bones and fractures, head injuries like traumatic brain injuries, back and spinal cord injuries, road rash, skin abrasions, internal injuries, and other catastrophic injuries.
What If I’m Partially to Blame?
Even if the accident occurred partially because of your actions, you may still be able to seek compensation with a personal injury claim. According to Illinois’s comparative negligence system, you can recover damages as long as your determined liability is less than 50%.
For example, if a driver involved is 80% at fault for your crash (and you’re 20% at fault), you can still recover 80% of the damages. We will carefully review the legal liability of your case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
What Is My Bike Accident Case Worth?
An experienced bicycle accident attorney can evaluate the value of your Des Plaines bicycle accident case by considering several important factors, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment and ongoing medical care (such as physical therapy and emotional distress), the findings from your medical evaluation, lost income, and the overall effect the accident has had on your life.
If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to pursue financial compensation for medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning capacity, physical pain and suffering, property damage (such as bicycle repair or replacement), and (in rare cases) punitive damages. In wrongful death cases, compensation may also include burial expenses and financial support for certain family members.
How Long Will It Take to Receive My Settlement?
The timeline for resolving a personal injury case varies. While many bicycle accident cases can settle in a matter of weeks or months, others take longer—especially if they go to trial. Several factors can affect this timeline, including the severity of the bike rider’s injuries, their need for ongoing treatment, the process of negotiations with insurance adjusters, and whether a fair settlement can be reached without going to court.
We understand you want your financial compensation as quickly as possible. Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers work efficiently to move your case forward while ensuring the best possible outcome.
Don’t Delay—Contact Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
An injured Des Plaines cyclist has two years from the date of the bicycle crash to file a personal injury lawsuit (this is according to Illinois law 735 ILCS 5/13-202).
If you’ve been injured in a bike crash in Des Plaines due to a negligent driver, contact our Illinois law firm for a free consultation; we will review your case, discuss your legal options, and answer your questions.
Our legal team works on a contingency fee basis. This means you have no out-of-pocket expenses unless we win your case.
(312) 223-1700