The American Bicyclists League ( https://bikeleague.org/ ) states that with our Illinois mix of flat prairies, rolling hills, high cliffs, and lake views, it’s not surprising that we’re ranked 16th on the list of the most bike-friendly states in the US, and that there is also an increase in bicycle accidents in the state.
As cycling grows in popularity, accidents and deaths from bicycle use also increase.
As cycling’s popularity grows, unfortunately, so do bicycle accidents, especially in large cities like Chicago. Statistics from Rospa.com indicate that approximately 75% of fatal or serious bicycle accidents occur in urban areas. These statistics also revealed that 75% of these accidents happen at or near a road crossing, and 80% occur during daylight hours.
Stanford ‘s Department of Child Health reveals that an average of 100 children die in bicycle accidents each year, and another 254,000 are injured in bicycle-related accidents. Half of these fatalities occur on rural roads.
If you have had a bicycle accident, we want you to follow the steps detailed below.
“Ride Illinois” is an organization that seeks to guide and direct cyclists in Illinois to be safe riders; however, if you are in an accident despite having complied with safety measures, call one of our experienced attorneys and try to follow these steps as much as possible:
Call the police.
In almost every part of the state, when an injury occurs as a result of an accident, you must file a police report, and your attorney should also request one. Anyone involved in your accident must share their personal information, as well as insurance details. This is important information you will need, and now is the best time to obtain it.
A professional medical examination should be performed .
Be sure to seek medical attention, without exception, even if you don’t have any visible injuries. Adrenaline can take some time to wear off, causing injuries or swelling to appear later. Injuries often become visible within a day or even days after the accident. The driver may argue that your injuries didn’t occur at the scene of the accident, so seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Obtain information from witnesses and drivers .
Don’t assume the police will get witness information for you. In cases where guilt hinges on your word against the driver’s, an impartial witness can make all the difference, so be sure to get witness phone numbers and addresses while you’re at the scene. Try to get someone else to collect this information if you’re unable to do so yourself at that moment.
Preserve the evidence.
Your visible injuries, bicycle, clothing, helmet, and any other items damaged in the crash are evidence and, as such, you must preserve and document them. Take photographs of any visible injuries, the scene, and any damage to your bicycle or other vehicles involved.
As experienced personal injury attorneys , we can help you evaluate the facts, assess your options, guide you through the legal challenges, and represent you on your behalf. Call us at 800.722.9744 today for a FREE consultation with the team at Shuman Legal® Law Offices .
Shuman Legal® has over 77 years of combined experience advocating for more than 20,000 injury victims and their families. We defend on your behalf so you can focus on the task of recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bicycle Accidents in Illinois
In the state of Illinois, cyclists have the same rights and obligations as drivers of motor vehicles. When riding a bicycle in Illinois, you must follow the same Helmet use is mandatory for children, messengers, and delivery workers riding bicycles. If you don’t fall into that category, you are free to choose whether or not to wear a helmet. However, helmet use is recommended When riding on a public road, cyclists must stay as close as possible to the right side of the road. Some exceptions are: When riding a bicycle in the state of Illinois, your bicycle must be equipped with a front light that emits a white light visible from at least 500 feet away. It must also have a Illinois follows a set of fault-finding rules called ‘modified comparative negligence’. This means that even if you are found to be partially at fault, as long as your However, the percentage of damages you can recover is reduced depending on your level of fault in the accident. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, you will only be able to In most cases, cyclists have the right of way over other vehicles. This is especially important when turning, where a motorist must wait if a cyclist is These types of accidents, known as «dooring,» are surprisingly common. Most often, accidents in which someone opens a car door into a cyclist’s path occur When passing a cyclist, drivers must leave a minimum of three feet between their vehicle and the cyclist. This is known as the «3-Foot Rule.» Unfortunately, many ¿Una bicicleta debe seguir las mismas reglas que un vehículo en Illinois?
traffic rules as vehicles, except for rules that cannot be applied to a bicycle because of its function.¿Debo usar un casco mientras ando en bicicleta en Illinois?
even if it’s not legally required, as approximately three-quarters of bicycle-related deaths in the country are caused by head injuries.¿Dónde es permitido andar en bicicleta en Illinois?
¿Necesito algún equipo especial para andar en bicicleta en Illinois?
rear red reflector. These improve your bicycle’s visibility in dark and low-light conditions and are required for riding at night.¿Puedo recibir una compensación, aún si yo tuve la culpa parcial de un accidente de bicicleta en Illinois?
fault is less than 51%, you may still be eligible to receive a portion of the damages.
receive up to 80% compensation for your damages.¿Quién tiene la preferencia si estoy andando en mi bicicleta en Illinois?
turning. If a cyclist is passing on the right and a motorist intends to turn, they must also wait until the cyclist has completely passed them.¿Quién es responsable si me golpeo al momento en que un automóvil abre la puerta cuando yo estaba pasando en mi bicicleta en Illinois?
at diagonal intersections. Under Illinois law, car occupants have a responsibility not to open their car door unless it is safe to do so. In most
cases, this requires the driver to demonstrate that they took the necessary precautions to open the door safely.¿Cuánto espacio tengo autorizado en la carretera como ciclista en Illinois?
drivers often violate this rule, and it is a common cause of bicycle accidents.
