Looking for more info?
Hit by a Car on Your Bike? Our Chicago Bike Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you got hurt or lost a loved one in a bicycle crash, call a Chicago bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. It’s important to have legal representation after a bike crash. There’s often a question of fault, and the parties involved might be pointing fingers. Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. knows how to investigate the bike crash and analyze each person’s responsibility. We know these accidents aren’t always black and white. But when you’ve been hurt, our bike accident attorneys go after the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.
The rise in bicycle commuting has increased the risk of accidents in Chicago, especially at intersections. However, current crash reporting methods fail to capture key details that could lead to safer road design. If we improve how bicycle accidents are recorded and analyzed, we can push for better infrastructure, such as safer bike lanes, improved traffic signals, and increased visibility for cyclists.
To talk with a bicycle accident lawyer near you about how to seek compensation after getting hit while riding your bike, call (312) 236-2900 or use our online form. Our Chicago, IL injury lawyers offer free, no-risk consultations.
Illinois Bicycle Laws & The Need for Safer Infrastructure
Cyclists in Illinois are required to follow the same traffic laws as vehicles. They ride in the same direction as traffic and obey traffic signs and stoplights. They can ride two abreast and should keep as close to the right of the lane as possible. There are some differences, though. In some places, bikes can be on the side or in a crosswalk. At these times, bike riders have to obey pedestrian signs and signals.
Bicyclists on sidewalks and crosswalks must yield the right of way to pedestrians. Bike riders should slow down and let people go first. If a biker needs to pass a pedestrian, they should slow down and give an audible signal – either shout out or use a bell.
All bicycles must have certain safety equipment:
- Front light visible for at least 500 ft (if riding at night)
- Clear front reflector
- Rear red reflector visible between 100 and 600 ft
- Wheel-mounted side reflectors
- Reflector pedals
- Brakes
However, outdated accident reporting methods hinder safety improvements. Chicago bicycle crashes are often underreported or misclassified, making it difficult for city planners to identify high-risk areas and make necessary changes. Studies show that one-third of all fatal bicycle accidents happen at intersections, yet many of these incidents are not thoroughly analyzed in crash reports. If law enforcement collected more specific details about bike crashes, the city could implement safety measures like:
- Dedicated bike lanes with physical barriers
- Better intersection designs that prioritize cyclists
- Traffic signals that detect bikes and provide safer crossing times
- Advanced road markings and signage for cyclist visibility
Illinois law doesn’t require bike riders to wear a helmet. Only bike messengers and delivery people in Chicago must wear helmets. Children also aren’t required to wear helmets in Illinois. But some towns or counties have enacted ordinances requiring children under a certain age to wear helmets while riding bikes.
Types of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago, IL
- Bicycle and Vehicle Accidents: Some of the most serious injuries and deaths happen in a collision involving a cyclist and car or truck. If you were struck by a vehicle, and the driver was at fault, call a lawyer today.
- Car Door Accidents: Far too many drivers and passengers fail to pay attention to cyclists. When your’re riding your bike, a door might be opened in your path. Unable to avoid it, you could get hurt in a serious collision.
- Multi-Bicycle Accidents: Though it’s less common, multiple cyclists can collide and sustain serious injuries. If you believe another cyclist is at fault for the crash, talk with a lawyer about how to pursue compensation.
- Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents: Bicycle riders and people on foot often compete for space, which leads to collisions. When you’re hurt in a bike-pedestrian accident, talk with us about proving who was responsible.
- Children’s Bicycle Accidents: Riding bikes is a beloved childhood pastime. Unfortunately, children are at risk of being hit by cars in the street, at intersections, and in driveways.
- Defective Bicycle Accidents: Some people are casual bike riders, while others are avid enthusiasts. Serious cyclists often ride expensive bikes, and they expect them to be well-designed and manufactured. A design or manufacturing defect could lead to an accident.
- Electric Bicycle (E-Bike) Accidents: E-bikes have become popular for people who want to travel long distances or more easily conquer hills. But electric bikes come with their own potential problems, including defects and malfunctioning.
- Bicycle and CTA Accident: Cyclists in Chicago might be involved in an accident with a school bus, a CTA bus, or the L in one of the few places its street-level grade. Our bus accident lawyers can help regardless of the type of accident.
Bike Trail Accidents in Chicago
Chicago’s network of bike trails and multi-use paths—including the Chicago Lakefront Trail, North Branch Trail, and Major Taylor Trail—provides cyclists with scenic and relatively car-free routes. However, bike accidents still happen on trails, often due to congestion, reckless riding, or hazardous conditions.
Unlike roadway bicycle accidents involving cars, bike trail crashes often result from:
- Collisions between cyclists due to reckless passing, tight spaces, or riding side by side.
- Pedestrian and cyclist crashes, especially in mixed-use areas where joggers or walkers suddenly step into the bike path.
- Poor trail maintenance, such as potholes, fallen debris, or uneven pavement that causes riders to lose control.
- Weather-related hazards, including slick surfaces from rain or snow, which make braking and turning more difficult.
How to Stay Safe on Chicago’s Bike Trails
To prevent bicycle trail accidents, cyclists should:
- Stay alert for pedestrians, other cyclists, and unexpected obstacles.
- Follow the rules of the path, including yielding when entering the trail and using proper hand signals.
- Ride single file in groups to avoid blocking other cyclists.
- Pass cautiously, only when there’s enough space, and never in heavy traffic.
- Adjust speed for conditions, especially in bad weather or when trails are crowded.
Even though bike trails are designed to provide a safer riding experience, accidents still happen. If you were injured in a bike trail crash due to a reckless rider, a hazardous condition, or another party’s negligence, contact our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. We’ll help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Where Do Bicycle Accidents Happen in Chicago?
Bike crashes in Illinois happen in both rural and urban areas. In Chicago, bike crashes often happen in traffic and on multi-use paths, like the Chicago Lakefront Trail. There are many other multi-use trails in and around Chicago, including the Burnham Greenway, Major Taylor Trail, North Branch Trail, North Shore Channel Trail, and Sauganash Trail. Illinois also has plenty of mounting biking trails, like the Palos Tour loop, where cyclists can get into serious accidents.
Who Is At Fault for a Bike Crash?
Who is at fault depends on each specific situation. Cyclists can be at fault for serious crashes, though they often aren’t. Many bicycle accidents are caused by negligent motorists who aren’t looking out for bikes, or by pedestrians who step into bike lanes without looking.
When you’re injured in an accident involving a bicycle rider, talk with an experienced personal injury attorney about investigating. A thorough review of the evidence can determine who was responsible, or if two or more people share fault.
In Illinois, fault is determined based on the proportion of fault. For example, both a cyclist and a pedestrian might have contributed to a crash. But which person was more at fault? Anyone who is less than 50% responsible can demand compensation for their injuries. People who are 51% or more at fault are responsible for paying for other people’s injuries and can’t recover compensation for their own.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Cyclists and pedestrians involved in bike accidents often suffer:
Compensation for Bicycle Accidents in Chicago, IL
After being injured in a bicycle accident that someone else caused, you can demand compensation for your financial, physical, and emotional injuries.
Personal injury damages include:
How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Illinois?
In Illinois, there’s a two-year statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of the bike crash to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. But you shouldn’t wait that long to get started. It’s much better to talk with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. When you hire an attorney within days or weeks of the accident, evidence is more readily available. Witnesses’ memories are sharper. You can keep your paperwork and bills organized from the very beginning.
Talk with a Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. is here to help after a bike crash. Whether you got hurt or lost a close relative, call (312) 236-2900 to schedule your free initial consultation. We’ll listen to your story. We might ask a few questions to learn more, and then we’ll recommend the best next steps. If we think you have a valid claim, we might suggest that we start gathering evidence and preparing to file a lawsuit right away.
