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Hit by a Car While Riding 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 & Why Better Infrastructure Matters
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.
Rules for Sidewalk & Crosswalk Riding
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.
Required Bicycle 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
The Problem With Crash Data
Many bicycle accidents in Chicago are misreported or underreported, making it harder to identify danger zones. One-third of fatal bicycle accidents occur at intersections, yet many reports lack the detail needed to improve safety.
If crash reporting improved, Chicago could implement:
- Protected bike lanes with physical barriers
- Safer intersection designs for cyclists
- Bike-detecting traffic signals for safer crossings
- Clearer road markings and signage to increase cyclist visibility
Illinois Bike Helmet Laws
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.
Common Types of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago
Bicycle and Vehicle Accidents
Some of the most serious injuries and deaths happen in a collision involving a cyclist and car accident 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.
Common causes of bike trail crashes include:
- 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.
Bike Trail Safety Tips in Chicago
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 Bike 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:
Illinois also has plenty of mounting biking trails, like the Palos Tour loop, where cyclists can get into serious accidents.
Who Is At Fault in a Bicycle 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:
Chicago Bike Helmet Laws
Compensation for Bicycle Accidents in Chicago
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:
What to Do After a Chicago Bicycle Accident
If you’re hit while biking in Chicago, call 911 immediately, seek medical attention, and report the crash to the police. Document the scene with photos, get contact information from witnesses, and avoid discussing fault. Then, speak to a Chicago bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Bicycle Accident Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Sue a Driver Who Hit Me While Riding My Bike in Chicago?
Yes, if a negligent driver caused your bicycle accident, you have the right to file a personal injury claim or lawsuit. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, bike repairs, and pain and suffering under Illinois law.
Who Is Liable in a Bicycle Accident in Chicago?
Liability depends on who acted negligently. In many cases, the driver of the vehicle is at fault, but liability may also involve a city agency (for poor road conditions) or even a bike manufacturer if equipment failure played a role. A Chicago bicycle accident attorney can investigate and determine liability.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
Yes. Illinois does not require adults to wear helmets, and not wearing one does not automatically prevent you from recovering damages. However, the insurance company may try to reduce your compensation, especially in cases involving head injuries.
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 to Our Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. is here to help after a bike crash. We’ll listen to your story. We might ask a few questions to learn more, and then we’ll recommend the best next steps.
Whether you got hurt or lost a close relative, call (312) 236-2900 to schedule your free initial consultation.
