Riding a bike is a great way to navigate Chicago — until someone’s negligence hurts you.
Among workers in Chicago, 1.3 percent bike to their jobs, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. There’s a high volume of cars and trucks on Chicago roads, too. As a result, Chicago can be dangerous for bikers. With the growing number of bicyclists delivering packages and meals throughout Chicago, cyclist traffic has increased significantly, creating more opportunities for accidents with motor vehicles.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, more than 1,000 bicyclists die in accidents each year and 467,000 are injured.
If you were injured while biking, call a bike accident lawyer at Gill Ports Hoste LLC, in Chicago for a free consultation.
Common Types Of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago
Bicycle accidents in Chicago occur in various scenarios that often involve driver negligence or dangerous road conditions. Other frequent causes of bicycle accidents handled by bike accident lawyers in Chicago include:
- “Dooring” accidents happen when vehicle occupants open car doors into the path of approaching cyclists, causing serious injuries and property damage.
- Intersection accidents frequently occur when drivers fail to yield right-of-way to cyclists or make turns without checking for approaching bikes.
- Right-of-way confusion creates dangerous situations when drivers and cyclists misunderstand traffic rules or signals.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle accidents often result in severe injuries due to the lack of protection cyclists have compared to passengers in a motor vehicle accident. Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries, represent serious consequences even when cyclists wear helmets. Broken bones, road rash, spinal injuries and internal trauma can require extensive medical treatment and lengthy recovery periods.
Insurance Coverage For Bicycle Accidents in Chicago, IL
Car insurance can provide coverage for bicycle accidents in several ways that many cyclists do not realize. The at-fault driver’s liability insurance should cover damages when their negligence causes a bicycle accident. Your own auto insurance policy may also provide coverage through uninsured/underinsured motorist protection, even if you were not driving at the time of the accident. For hit-and-run accidents, cyclists may file claims against their own auto insurance policies under uninsured motorist coverage, providing hope for compensation even when the at-fault driver cannot be identified.
Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Chicago Get Results
With more than 100 years of combined experience, our Chicago personal injury lawyers know how to help. We will work to recover lost wages and medical expenses. For wrongful deaths, the recovery can also help obtain lost future wages and funeral expenses.
Examples of our law firm’s successful results in Chicago bike accident cases include:
- Biker: $1.5 million settlement – A 23-year-old bicyclist received the settlement from the city of Chicago. The biker, who suffered a head injury, now lives with his parents who care for him. He was riding when he fell into a large hole near a catch basin. The hole had been there two months.
Contact Gill Ports Hoste LLC To Get a Free Consultation
Contact Gill Ports Hoste LLC, for a free consultation with our personal injury lawyers. We have experience working with bicycle accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois. Call us at (312) 372-8893 or send us an email.