Riding your bike is a great way to exercise and see the sights in Chicago and its suburbs—but it can be dangerous. You have to share the streets and sidewalks with cars, trucks, and pedestrians.
Every time a bicyclist starts pedaling, they’re at risk of being hit by a vehicle, regardless of what measures they take to prevent an accident.
In 2018 alone, there were over 2,500 bicyclists injured in Illinois crashes. These bike crashes are more likely to occur in urban areas during any time of the day. Bicyclists are often hit by drivers who don’t see them until it’s too late.
What’s more, bicyclists suffer more permanent and life-altering injuries on average when they’re in an accident. In fact, 13.7 percent of Illinois bicycle collisions in 2018 resulted in permanent injuries—compared to just 3.5 percent of the total crashes that year.
Helping you get back on your feet after a bike crash
If you were recently injured in a bicycle accident, we understand that the road ahead is difficult. Medical bills are piling up, and you don’t know when you’ll be able to return to work.
Our bicycle accident lawyers at Shannon Law Group, P.C., want you to know that you should never shoulder the financial and emotional burden of the crash alone. If the other party was at fault and has insurance, you may be owed specific damages for your losses from the accident.
At Shannon Law Group, P.C., our personal injury attorneys can help you navigate this difficult time. Our compassionate team will manage your case, so you can focus on recovering. We’ve assisted people injured in bicycle crashes before, including bike-on-bike cases.
If you’re ready to speak with an attorney, please call us at (312) 578-9501 or fill out the form below to schedule a free consultation. Your time may be limited to pursue a claim against the responsible parties. We’re available 24/7/365 to take your call. During the consultation, you will explore legal options and have the opportunity to ask our attorneys specific questions about your case.
But what if you’re not ready to contact an attorney? Keep reading to learn more about bicycle accident lawsuits in Illinois, including:
- What should I do if I’m injured in a bike accident?
- What is my bicycle accident case worth?
- Can I sue another bicyclist if I was in a bike-on-bike accident?
- How can a bicycle accident lawyer help me?
- How much time do I have to file a lawsuit in Illinois?
What Should I Do if I'm Injured in a Bike Accident?
Let’s say a driver doesn’t see you riding your bike in the crosswalk while they’re turning left. You barely have a moment to react before the impact. You wake up on the pavement, your right leg hurts like never before, and you’re trying to remember what just happened.
The at-fault driver calls 9-1-1, and an ambulance takes you to the nearest hospital. The doctors discover that your femur is fractured, and you have to undergo surgery immediately. Now, your medical bills are piling up, and your doctor says you can’t go back to work for at least six months.
You may lie awake at night, tossing and turning, wondering, “Who should I contact? What should I do next? How do I keep the lights on, food on the table, and the mortgage paid?”
Here are 3 things to do after a bicycle crash that you can do right now:
- Continue seeking medical treatment. Follow your doctor’s recommendations and keep going to your appointments. Your health is always a top priority.
- Take photos and gather evidence. As you continue treatment, start gathering evidence to support your case. First, take photos of the damaged bicycle and car. Snap photos of the license plate of the car. Hopefully, you or someone else took photos at the scene of the crash. If not, the responding police officers may have taken some. Also, photograph your injuries and film your process as you recover. Next, gather any and all documents related to the bicycle crash, including the Illinois Crash Report, medical bills, and medical records.
- Call a bicycle accident lawyer FIRST before talking to an insurance adjuster. Insurance adjusters are not your friends—no matter how nice they seem over the phone. Avoid talking with them about the accident and contact an experienced lawyer first. Why? Whatever you tell them may be used against you in the future. When you hire a bicycle accident lawyer like Shannon Law Group, the insurance adjuster has to speak to us. You don’t have to deal with the stress of answering their questions or sending them documents. Your attorney will handle those interactions while you focus on your family and getting better.
What is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
Your case is worth whatever the amount of your economic and non-economic damages is.
Economic damages are easy to calculate. Examples of economic damages include past and future medical bills and lost wages.
In Illinois, you’re entitled to recover all of the medical bills you’ve incurred as a result of the bicycle crash and any future medical bills that you will incur. You’re also entitled to any and all past and future lost wages.
Under Illinois law, you’re also entitled to compensation for non-economic damages. These damages are harder to calculate, but they’re most important to you and your family. They compensate you for things like pain and suffering, loss of society, loss of consortium, and emotional anguish.
They’re intended to compensate injured victims for the daily pain, suffering, and anguish they experience as a result of the accident.
Have more questions about what you may be owed after a bicycle crash? Call us today at Shannon Law Group at (312) 578-9501.
I was in a bike-on-bike accident. Can I sue the Cyclist that Hit Me?
The short answer is yes. Bike-on-bike accidents happen when two bicyclists crash into one another. This type of collision may happen when bicyclists are riding next to each other. For example, a past client was seriously injured when another bicyclist fell on top of him.
If another cyclist crashes into you, you may be entitled to damages from them through their homeowner's or renter’s insurance policy. Contact us today for more details. Our attorneys can help you navigate the case and determine the best route forward.
How many people in Illinois are injured in bicycle crashes every year?
The Illinois Department of Transportation gathers data from all bicycle crashes that occur in one year. In 2018 (the last year with recorded data), there were 2,532 Illinois accidents involving bicyclists. Overall, bicycle crashes account for less than 1 percent of all accidents—but they often result in more serious injuries and death.
In 2018, for example, there were 24 fatalities and 349 serious injuries due to bike crashes. These serious injuries prevent the injured party from walking, driving, or continuing to perform the activities that he or she was capable of performing before the crash. Out of the remaining crashes, 2,338 of them resulted in an injury.
How much time do I have to file a lawsuit in Illinois?
In Illinois, you generally have two years from the date of the bicycle crash to file a lawsuit in Illinois. However, the deadline may shorter if you were hit by a government employee. There are exceptions for minors as well.
If you were seriously injured in a bike crash, don’t wait until the last minute to contact an experienced attorney. The more time that passes, the more time there is for evidence to disappear or for witnesses to fade away. The sooner you hire the right attorney, the better.
How can a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Bicycle accident lawsuits are complicated, and they shouldn’t be handled without a lawyer if you suffered a serious injury.
When you hire a law firm like Shannon Law Group, you’re delegating the stress of handling your case to us. That way, you can focus on getting better.
We’re personal injury attorneys. We handle cases like yours every day. Our lawyers know how to talk to insurance adjusters and defense attorneys. We’re skilled at investigating these types of cases, assessing damages, and negotiating with the other side.
At the end of the day, you’ll recover significantly more compensation if you hire an experienced bicycle accident lawyer than if you didn’t.
Why Choose Shannon Law Group?
At Shannon Law Group, P.C., we only take cases worthy of being tried in front of a jury. Because of this, we have the time, knowledge, and experience to go above and beyond for you - unlike other personal injury attorneys who have hundreds or thousands of cases.
We also understand the insurance industry. Lead attorney Joe Shannon represented corporations and their insurers before he represented people injured by the negligence of others. He sat on the other side of the table, so he knows what the insurance company will offer and what they won't offer.
Since founding Shannon Law Group, Joe secured the largest verdict in Will County history and achieved other multi-figure settlements and verdicts in Illinois.
As our satisfied clients can attest, we come through for them when they need it most. We take our responsibility to our clients seriously. We'll examine every angle of your case, and we promise to go the extra mile to get the compensation you deserve--not what the insurance company thinks your claim is worth.
When you hire Shannon Law Group to represent you after bicycle accident in Illinois, you're helping yourself and your family. Why?
Our job is to bear the burden of dealing with insurance companies and their lawyers. Our bicycle accident lawyers take the stress off your shoulders, so you can focus on your recovery and family.
We also understand the case isn't about us--it's about you. At Shannon Law Group, our dedicated team will help you move forward toward a successful and secure future after your injury.
You will never be treated like a transaction or a case at our law firm. When your case has resolved, our relationship doesn't end the moment we hand you a check. We'll stay in touch with you and help you and your family in whatever way we can.
We will always keep you updated on your bicycle accident lawsuit.
We'll make sure to return your call within 24 hours if you leave a message - no questions asked.
