What Do I Do If My Child Is Hurt in a Bicycle Accident in Chicago? | Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C.
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What Do I Do If My Child Is Hurt in a Bicycle Accident in Chicago?

Written by Jared Staver

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Jared Staver is a Personal Injury Lawyer based in Chicago, Illinois and has been practicing law for over 20 years.

Jared Staver

CATEGORY: Bike Accidents


While bicycling in a large city such as Chicago can be a convenient means of travel, it can also be hazardous given the influx of traffic and pedestrians in the city. These factors often lead to bicycle accidents and can result in serious injuries. However, things get more complicated when your child is injured in a bicycle accident in Chicago. To learn more regarding negligence and who is responsible in these cases, read below.

If your child was injured in a Chicago cycling accident, you need to reach out to a Chicago bicycle accident attorney at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Our skilled legal team can help establish negligence and aggressively fight for your child’s rights. To learn more during a no-cost consultation, call as soon as possible.

Drivers Must Exercise More Care Around Children

In any personal injury case, the claim revolves around who the liable party is. However, when it comes to bicycle cases involving children, drivers are held to a higher standard of care. To elaborate, this means that when drivers are in areas with an increased number of children, they should use extra precaution, which is referred to as “unusual care.”

Areas in which drivers are required to do so include:

  • Schools
  • Parks
  • Bus stops
  • Residential neighborhoods
  • Other areas where a lot of children are expected to be

It is important to note that if a driver collided with a child on a bike, they are not automatically considered negligent. To prove liability, your Chicago bicycle accident lawyer must show that the driver did not fulfill his duty of care during the accident.

Child Contributory Negligence in Illinois

Illinois law provides that children under the age of seven are not held accountable for contributory negligence. From ages seven to 14, it is presumed that a child cannot be negligent for an accident; however, in this circumstance, a jury looks at factors such as age and intelligence when determining fault.

What Type of Claim Do I File After My Child’s Bike Accident?

After your child is injured in a cycling accident, depending on the severity, you can file two different claims.

In the event your child dies in a bicycling accident due to the negligence of another driver, you are eligible to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf. On the other hand, if your child suffers severe injuries at the result of a reckless motorist, you are eligible to file a personal injury claim during which you can recover for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.

Your Chicago bicycle accident lawyer can walk you through these steps and determine the best course of action for both you and your child.

Our Legal Team at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. Can Help You

If your child has been severely hurt in a serious bicycle accident in the Chicago area, you should seek help right away. Navigating through the legal process while ensuring your child is taken care of can be challenging. Our skilled and experienced Chicago bicycle accident attorneys at Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. are here for you and your loved ones during this extremely difficult time.

Free case assessments are available. Schedule yours today and contact our firm.

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