Legal Options for Illinois Bike Accident Victims

 Posted on December 30,2021 in Bicycle Accidents

Winter weather can make sharing the road with motor vehicles hazardous because of slippery conditions and limited visibility. Furthermore, although bike lanes are constantly being built and updated in Illinois, many motorists are unaware of basic bicycle awareness and do not safely share the road.

In 2020, an average of two cyclists died every day in traffic accidents with cars and many thousands more were seriously injured. If you or a loved one have suffered in a bicycle accident with a car, an Illinois personal injury attorney can help you learn more about your options.

Common Injuries From Bicycle and Vehicle Accidents

When a cyclist gets hit by a vehicle, the consequences are often catastrophic. Cars and trucks are so much bigger and heavier than cyclists that severe injuries and death are common; in fact, nearly 25 percent of cyclists injured on the roadway are hospitalized with serious injuries. Research suggests that injuries happen most to cyclists in the following areas:

• Head injuries - Head injuries are suffered by almost 30 percent of cyclists hit by a car. These can include skull fractures, brain injuries such as swelling and brain bleeds, and concussions. Although using a helmet can help protect the head, the severe nature of vehicle and bicycle collisions may make a helmet ineffective in preventing injury in some crashes.
• Face and neck injuries - 30 percent of cyclists in car accidents experience damage to their face and neck. These could be anything from mild scrapes and bruises to facial disfigurement and permanent vision loss.
• Arms and legs - Arms and legs receive injuries in 40 percent and 55 percent of accidents, respectively. Broken bones, road rash, torn ligaments, and joint dislocations are all common.
• Back, abdomen, and pelvis - Although only 13 percent of cyclists experience injuries in their back, abdomen, or pelvis, these injuries tend to be extremely dangerous because of the damage internal organs, vertebrae, and spinal discs can sustain. Paralysis, herniated spinal discs, and internal bleeding may all result from injuries to a cyclist’s core.

The total percentage of these injuries adds up to more than 100 percent because cyclists are often injured in more than one area and, as a consequence, may require extensive medical treatment and long-term care. This is not a comprehensive list of injuries, and even if your injury is not listed here, you may want to pursue compensation for physical and emotional injuries.

Recovering Compensation for a Cyclist Injured in a Car Accident

If negligence on the part of the vehicle’s driver caused the accident, the driver could be held liable for damages to the cyclist. Drivers can also be held liable if they were driving under the influence, using their cell phone, ignoring traffic laws, or driving recklessly. Although the driver’s car insurance company may seem willing to quickly settle with injured cyclists, they will often only offer the smallest amount of compensation they think a cyclist will accept. Many times this does not even cover the full extent of the cyclist’s medical expenses. If a car insurance company does not adequately compensate the cyclist for their injuries, a personal injury lawsuit might be a good option.

Call a Waukegan Vehicle and Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you or someone you love has been injured by a vehicle while riding a bike, an experienced Lake County personal injury attorney with Salvi & Maher, LLP may be able to help. Call our offices today at 847-662-3303 and schedule an appointment over the phone or in person. Hablamos Español.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-401