When bicycle accidents happen in Waukegan, Lake County, or across Illinois, it’s important to seek legal representation from a reputable and experienced Waukegan bicycle accident lawyer. Many bicycle accidents cause serious injuries, leaving bicycle accident victims overwhelmed by mounting medical bills. Our personal injury law firm has a proven track record of representing Illinois bicyclists who have been injured in accidents due to negligent drivers. Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers can guide you through the legal process to recover financial compensation.
What Are Bicycle Laws in Illinois?
By Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-1512), cyclists on sidewalks or crosswalks must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing them. Riding on sidewalks or crosswalks is not allowed where signs prohibit it. Cyclists on sidewalks or crosswalks have the same rights and responsibilities as pedestrians on city streets.
Do I Need a Waukegan Bicycle Accident Attorney?
When bike accidents occur due to someone else’s recklessness—and your bike crash leads to a serious personal injury, lost wages, or medical bills—legal help from an experienced personal injury attorney can make a difference.
A personal injury attorney can help pursue legal action by investigating the accident scene, gathering evidence (like medical records, witness statements, and input from accident reconstruction experts), proving negligence, assessing the value of your case, and managing all aspects of the claims process.
While most personal injury claims are settled at the negotiation table, insurance adjusters often offer low settlements. If full and fair compensation for injuries sustained is not offered, we can argue your case in court.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
After a bicycle accident, ensure your safety by moving to a secure location if possible. Seek immediate medical attention—many common injuries are not immediately apparent. Document the scene by taking photos, gathering contact details of witnesses, getting contact and insurance information of drivers of vehicles involved, and retaining the police report. Report the incident to the Waukegan Police Department.
Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes in Waukegan, IL
Injured cyclists are often harmed by motor vehicle drivers who violate traffic laws on roadways or in dedicated bike lanes. Causes of bicycle-car crashes include driver negligence (including distracted driving and impaired driving), failure to yield at intersections, dooring accidents, unsafe lane changes, or speeding vehicles. A defective bicycle part may also cause accidents.
Common Severe Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
Injured bicycle riders often face devastating injuries (or even fatal injuries) in motor vehicle accidents due to minimal bodily protection. These injuries, requiring medical treatment, commonly include road rash (severe skin abrasions), facial injuries, head injuries (such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries), back and spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding, and other internal injuries like organ damage.
What If I’m Partially to Blame?
Even if you share some legal liability for an accident, you can still file a personal injury claim. Illinois law uses a comparative negligence system, allowing you to seek compensation if you’re less than 50% at fault.
For instance, if the other driver is 80% responsible (and you’re 20% at fault), you can still recover 80% of the economic and non-economic damages. Our Waukegan bike accident attorneys will review your case to help you recover compensation.
What Is My Bicycle Accident Claim Value?
An experienced bicycle accident attorney will evaluate your Waukegan bicycle accident case, considering factors such as the extent of your injuries, costs of medical assistance and treatment, lost income, and the overall impact the accident has had on your life. Waukegan bicyclists may be eligible to recover damages for:
- Past and future medical expenses, including physical therapy
- Lost income and earning potential
- Pain and suffering—physical pain and emotional distress
- Bike repair or replacement
- Financial support for certain beneficiaries of bike riders involved in fatal accidents
How Long Will It Take to Receive My Settlement?
The timeline for a successful personal injury claim in bicycle accident cases can vary significantly. Some personal injury cases may settle within weeks or months. Others take longer, particularly if they proceed to trial.
Key factors that make the legal process more complex include the severity of injuries and required treatments, investigation and discovery in difficult cases, the negotiation process with insurance companies, accidents in which deaths occurred, and whether a fair settlement with substantial compensation can be reached (or if court action becomes necessary).
Call Us for a Free Consultation
When a bicycle-car accident occurs, the experienced attorneys in our personal injury law firm are here to help injured victims take legal action. The personal injury lawyers on our legal team work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront, out-of-pocket expenses.
(312) 223-1700