Bicycle Accident

At Seidman Margulis & Fairman, LLP, we are proud to represent the rights and interests of bicyclists across Chicago and throughout the state who have been injured on Illinois streets.

Whether you rely on your bicycle as an economical and environmentally responsible commuting choice, or you are an amateur rider enjoying a weekend ride, if you or a loved one has been injured by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, contact our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys today.

• Steps To Take After a Bike Accident in Chicago
• Compensation Available in a Bike Accident Lawsuit
• Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago
• Free Consultation: Contact a Chicago Bike Accident Attorney

For nearly 40 years, Steven J. Seidman has been representing clients throughout Illinois in personal injury cases. Our firm brings practical experience, a commitment to recovering full compensation, and a proven record of success to every case.

Our local and experienced bicycle accident lawyers can help you and your loved ones get the compensation you need to pay for medical costs, lost wages, suffering, and other damages associated with your bicycle accident in Chicago.

Whether biking by the lake or in your neighborhood, the actions of an irresponsible or even malicious driver can cause serious injuries or worse. Even if you aren’t hit by an automobile directly, if you are forced off the road by someone driving negligently then you may have a personal injury claim.

In cases where a bicycle accident involves a collision with a car, the results can be serious and potentially life-threatening. The reality is that bicycle accidents are on the rise. In Chicago, contact our bicycle accident injury lawyers if you have suffered due to someone else’s wrongdoing. Our law firm handles cases involving:

• Catastrophic injury
• Wrongful death
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Crush injuries

In order to ensure maximum financial compensation in the aftermath, there are steps that victims can take to build a strong case.

• Seek medical care. Regardless of how minor or major the bicycle accident injury may seem, it is important for a victim to seek medical care as soon as possible. Not only will this ensure that the bicyclist is properly cared for, but this will also establish a link between the crash and the injuries.
• Notify the police. It is important somebody calls the police to the scene so that they can conduct a preliminary investigation into the cause of the incident.
• Gather evidence. If it is safe to do so at the scene of the accident, you should gather as much evidence as possible. Use a phone or another camera to take pictures of everything, including damages, injuries, causes of the crash, and more. Make sure to get the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the bicycle crash, as well as the driver’s license and insurance information of other drivers involved.
• Contact an attorney. Speak to a skilled bicycle accident lawyer in Chicago about your case for a free consultation. An attorney will be able to guide you towards the best path to secure compensation for your case and will be able to gather evidence quickly if they decide to take your case.
• Continue medical care. Always continue receiving medical care from your doctor until you have reached maximum medical improvement.

If you or somebody you love has been injured in a bicycle accident in Illinois, there may be various types of compensation available for your claim. At Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys extensive experience helping victims recover the following types of economic and non-economic compensation:

• Coverage of all bicycle crash-related medical expenses
• Recovery of lost income if a victim cannot work
• Loss of future earnings or earning potential in case of a disability
• Any out-of-pocket household expenses
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of personal enjoyment images
• Possible punitive damages against a grossly negligent party

There is no set amount of money that is awarded bicycle accident victims in Illinois. Rather, the total amount of compensation a victim receives will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding each particular case. This includes what severity of the accident injuries, whether a victim can work, the amount of a victim’s pain and suffering, whether there is any shared liability, and more.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were more than 2,500 total bicycle crashes across the state during the latest reporting year. Out of these incidents, a significant percentage resulted in an injury or fatality. Unfortunately, drivers on the roadway often fail to give bicyclists the space they deserve on the roadway. Some of the most common causes of bicycle crashes include:

• Failure to yield to a bicyclist at an intersection
• Following a bicyclist too closely
• Passing a bicyclist too closely
• Dooring accidents where driver accidentally or intentionally opens their door into a bicyclist’s path

Bicyclists are also incredibly vulnerable to the negligent actions of drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs, as well as those distracted by their smartphones or other devices.

Chicago is a big city. With so much motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic, it is easy to understand that there are many risks associated with cycling around this area. During a recent ten year period, Chicago saw a 60% increase in the number of people commuting to work by bicycle. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may see even more of a shift towards bicycling to work as people strive to avoid public transportation.

There is certainly plenty of debate about the most dangerous intersections for bicyclists in Chicago, but there is a general consensus that the following five pose significant challenges:

• Belmont and Kedzie
• Cicero and I-55
• Irving Park, Cicero, and Milwaukee
• Stony Island, 79^th, and South Chicago
• North, Damen, and Milwaukee

Bicycle accident lawsuits can be incredibly challenging for injury victims. The lawsuit process typically begins as soon as the crash occurs. There are several steps that a bicycle crash victim needs to take immediately. This includes:

• Seeking immediate medical care. Any person involved in a bicycle accident needs to seek medical care as soon as possible. This may include taking an ambulance to the hospital or having somebody drive you to an emergency clinic. By seeking immediate medical care, the victim is ensuring their well-being while also establishing a direct link from their injuries to the bicycle crash.
• Gathering any evidence. At the scene of the crash, and if it is safe to do so, a bicycle accident victim should gather as much evidence as possible. This can include taking photographs of everything at the scene (injuries, damages, debris, traffic conditions, etc.), getting the contact information of any eyewitnesses, and getting the driver’s license number and insurance information of any other driver involved.

After the initial incident is over, a bicycle accident victim will typically file a claim with their insurance carrier, who will, in turn, file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. If the at-fault party or their insurance provider fail to offer a fair settlement, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to recover the compensation the victim needs. The vast majority of bicycle accident claims are resolved through a settlement with insurance carriers.

If a lawsuit has to be filed, an attorney will review the facts of the case. An attorney will file the case in civil court, but they must do so within two years from the date the accident occurs. When the lawsuit has been filed, the discovery process will begin, where both sides will be able to review all evidence gathered in the case and have a chance to question witnesses. Settlement negotiations will proceed even after the lawsuit is filed, and the bicycle accident claim may end up being resolved before the case goes to trial.

If a fair settlement offer is not made by the insurance carrier or the at-fault party during this process, the case will proceed to trial, and the matter will be decided by a jury.

The Chicago Tribune once reported that Illinois has one of the highest rates of bicyclist fatalities in the country. Since that story was published in 2014, the city of Chicago has taken various steps to improve bicyclist safety. The city has added many designated bicycle lanes. Chicago now has approximately 250 miles of protected bicycle routes. Additionally, the Chicago Streets for Cycling Plan of 2020 calls for hundreds of miles of the continuous network of street bicycle lanes throughout the city.

Additionally, the municipal code of Chicago specifically says that every motor vehicle driver must “exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or any person operating a bicycle.”

Can you claim for a bicycle accident?

You can file an insurance claim for a bicycle accident if there was another party at-fault, your equipment was defective, or there was a road condition that caused your accident. If your claim is approved, you can receive compensation to help cover the cost of your recovery or damages to your equipment.

Can you sue someone for hitting you on a bike?

If a vehicle hits you while you are riding a bicycle, you may be able to recover compensation. In the event you are hit by a car, you should always call the police and collect information from witnesses to help you with your case. Different states have different traffic laws about who is at-fault in a bike accident.

What is the most common bicycle injury?

Many bicycle injuries that occur involve knees and shoulders. There are many different types of injuries that can occur, especially if the accident involves another cyclist or a motor vehicle. The most common instances of bicycle accident injuries are with a right turn.

To put our proven track record and our unwavering commitment to recovering your full compensation behind your bicycle accident personal injury case, call our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers at (312) 781-1977 or reach us online to schedule a free initial consultation.

Our firm is proud to represent clients across the state, and if your injury prevents you from traveling, our attorney may be able to meet you in person.