Lake County Fatal Bike Accident Attorney

Lawyers for People Killed in Bicycle Crashes in North Chicago

Between 2001 and 2011, there were 62 fatal bike accidents in the city of Chicago. Over the past 10 years, bike accidents in Lake County have been on the rise as the number of commuters and college students traveling through the city and surrounding suburbs have increased. There are roughly 15,000 bicyclists traveling through the city daily. On average, 10 percent of them will be involved in a bike accident each year, and some will be fatal.

The attorneys at Salvi & Maher, LLP have extensive experience representing the families of bicyclists who were killed in bike accidents. We have over 85 years of combined experience representing families in wrongful death actions. We are committed to making a difference for our clients. Our goal is to make sure that you are taken care of now and in the years to come. If you lost a loved one in a fatal bike crash and would like to know about your options, call our firm at 847-662-3303 or reach us online.

Lawyer for Families Who Lost Loved Ones in Fatal Bicycle Collisions

The advantage of hiring our firm is our knowledge and our tenacity. We understand the complicated emotions a family feels after losing a loved one in an accident, and we will do everything we can to make sure you receive the best compensation possible. We do this by using a comprehensive set of resources, including accident reconstructionists and respected medical experts to help us determine who was responsible.

Whether the bicyclist was a commuter in the city or a student traveling to or from school, most bike accidents take place at intersections. In Chicago, there are certain intersections, such as Halsted and Chicago Avenue, that have become hot spots for bicycle accidents. Short traffic lights and impatient or inattentive drivers are to blame for many accidents. Other causes of fatal bike accidents are:

• Dooring (being struck by someone opening a vehicle door)
• Bicyclists hit by CTA buses
• Being struck by a vehicle

Traumatic Brain Injuries From Bike Crashes

Bicycle accidents are often fatal, because bicyclists have nothing to protect them in a crash, and even when they survive a crash, they often suffer a traumatic brain injury. These injuries are not visible, and they sometimes are not detected until it is too late. Doctors, nurses, or hospitals may bear some of the responsibility for a bicyclist's death if they were medically negligent in diagnosing a traumatic brain injury.

Bicycle Laws in Illinois

It is mandatory for bicyclists to wear helmets in Illinois. Even with a helmet, a bicyclist can still be killed. Until recently, there were no helmet laws in Illinois, but helmets are now required.

Bicyclists sometimes put themselves in danger because they do not know the rules of the road. Bicyclists on Illinois roads are required to:

• Obey the same crossing rules as pedestrians when traveling on sidewalks. Pedestrians have the right of way. Bicyclists must yield to pedestrians when traveling on a sidewalk.
• Obey all traffic laws when traveling on roadways. This includes stopping at stop signs and the stop arm of a school bus when it is out and the bus's lights are flashing.
• Bike in the same direction as traffic.

Even if a bicyclist was not obeying the rules at the time of the accident, a family may still be able to recover compensation for wrongful death. Our lawyers can explain how Illinois' modified comparative negligence statutes work.

Hire Us to Help You With Your Wrongful Death Claim Following a Bicycle Accident

At Salvi & Maher, LLP, our compassionate attorneys take the time to answer your questions and explain the process to you. There is no charge for discussing your case with us. Contact us online or by calling 847-662-3303 to set up an appointment at one of our convenient locations in Libertyville, Chicago, Waukegan, or Richmond. We collect our fees only when you collect compensation.