Bicycle Accident

Have You Been Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Chicago?

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle crash, you may face steep medical bills, lost income, and long-term recovery. A Chicago bicycle accident lawyer can help you secure the compensation you deserve.

We fight for injured cyclists at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, maximizing settlements for personal injury cases that include medical expenses, pain, and lost wages. Contact us today for a free consultation and let an experienced bike accident attorney guide you toward justice.

Notable Settlements for Injured Bicyclists In Chicago

Our attorneys have represented hundreds of clients, recovering tens of millions of dollars in settlements for injured bicyclists.

• $2,250,000 – Lake Shore Drive Hit-and-Run Bike Accident: A commuter suffered a head injury after being struck while cycling. The policy limit settlement was paid through her uninsured motorist coverage.
• $1,000,000 – Dooring Accident on Milwaukee Avenue: A 26-year-old cyclist tore her rotator cuff when a driver illegally opened their car door into a protected bike lane.
• $760,000 – Rear-End Crash at Western & Fullerton: A cyclist stopped at a red light and was struck from behind. The driver blamed poor lighting at the accident scene, but liability was proven.
• $605,000 – Crosswalk Collision in Downtown Chicago: A 72-year-old cyclist was hit by a commercial truck while crossing a marked crosswalk near The Loop.

Chicago continues to expand protected bike lanes in a move to improve bicycle safety, yet accidents remain common, often leading to serious injuries or fatalities. The risk to bicycle riders isn’t decreasing.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is committed to protecting injured cyclists’ rights. Our experienced bicycle accident attorneys fight relentlessly to secure maximum compensation for victims.

What to Do After a Chicago Bike Accident

Here are the steps to take if you get involved in a bicycle accident:

1. Call 911 – Get medical attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
2. Record Evidence – Take photos or videos of the scene, injuries, and vehicle damage. Collect the contact information of the driver and witnesses. Collect as much evidence as possible.
3. File a Police Report – Ensure officers document the accident and witness statements, which are crucial for your bicycle accident claim.
4. Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer – A lawyer protects your rights and helps you recover fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and damages.

What NOT to Do:

• Never admit fault – Statements to insurance carriers can be used against you.
• Don’t negotiate directly with insurance companies – Insurance adjusters will try to minimize any financial compensation due.

Why Hire Chicago Bicycle Accident Attorneys?

Navigating insurance claims can be overwhelming, especially if you’re undergoing medical treatment. An experienced Chicago bicycle accident attorney will:

• Gather evidence to prove the liability of the at-fault party.
• Negotiate with insurers to secure maximum compensation.
• Meet deadlines to ensure the best chance of recovering damages.

With legal representation, you focus on healing while we handle the complexities of your case.

Who Can File a Bicycle Accident Personal Injury Lawsuit?

You can file a personal injury claim against the responsible party if you were injured in a Chicago bicycle accident. Parents of minors hit by negligent drivers can also file on their child’s behalf.

A bicycle accident attorney will guide you through the claims process, gather evidence, and fight for compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire A Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, you pay nothing upfront and only owe legal fees if we win or settle your case.

Our fee is typically 33-40% of the final settlement, and you don’t owe anything if you don’t receive compensation.

Damages Our Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You Recover

Our bicycle accident law firm pursues every legal option to recover economic and non-economic damages for injured cyclists and families of fatal accident victims.

• Economic Damages – Medical expenses (physical therapy, surgeries, ongoing treatment), lost wages, property damage, and future medical costs.
• Non-Economic Damages – Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of mobility, and reduced earning potential.
• Wrongful Death Claims – Families may seek funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and loss of financial support.
• Punitive Damages – May be awarded in cases where a driver’s actions were particularly reckless.

No claim value is the same, but you can use our bike accident settlement calculator for an estimate of your case’s value.

You Have Limited Time to File a Bicycle Accident Claim

Under Illinois law, you generally have two years to file a personal injury claim from the incident. The deadline for wrongful death lawsuits is also two years, which typically starts on the date of the victim’s passing.

Some Exceptions Apply:

• Claims against government entities may have shorter deadlines.
• Minors may have extended filing time.

Missing the bike accident claim deadline could mean losing your right to compensation. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today to protect your claim.

Chicago Bicycle Accident Statistics

The City of Chicago shares interesting data about reported accidents. The most recent data from 2021 highlights fewer fatal bicycle crashes than in the previous year. However, Chicago bicycle crashes remain a serious risk, with numbers increasing despite safety measures to prevent bike accidents:

• Nearly 2,000 bike crashes occurred in 2021.
• 123 crashes resulted in incapacitating injuries.
• August 2021 was one of the most dangerous months, with 456 bicycle crashes.
• Bicyclists make up 2% of all motor vehicle-related fatalities.
• Chicago reports 2.6 cyclist deaths per million residents.
• Nationally, bike accidents cause 1,000 deaths and 130,000 injuries annually, costing $23 billion in damages.

While Chicago has introduced bicycle-friendly laws and infrastructure, the risks remain high. If you’ve been injured, our attorneys can help you seek compensation.

Despite the alarming statistics, Chicago has taken steps to protect cyclists, including some specific municipal codes and traffic laws.

Bicycle Laws Protecting Cyclists in Chicago

If you ride your bike throughout Chicago, it’s helpful to understand the rules that protect bicyclists on the streets. Below are some of the essential provisions in Chicago’s Municipal Code that reinforce cyclist safety:

MCC 9-16-020(f) – Improper Right Turns: Drivers must yield to cyclists when turning right. Failure to do so can result in citations and financial liability for injuries.

MCC 9-16-020(e) – Improper Left Turns: Motorists must follow correct turning procedures to avoid cutting off cyclists. Violations can be used as evidence.

MCC 9-36-101(c) – 3-Foot Passing Distance: Drivers must keep at least three feet when passing a cyclist. Failure to do so may result in fines and civil liability for accidents.

MCC 9-80-035 – Dooring Law: Opening a vehicle door into a cyclist’s path is illegal yet is a common cause of bike accidents.

MCC 9-40-060 – No Parking in Bike Lanes: The driver may be liable for damages if an injury occurs while avoiding an obstruction.

Chicago’s bicycle laws help protect riders, but violations remain common. If a driver’s negligence led to your injury, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today.

Common Causes of Chicago Bicycle Accidents

There are the circumstances surrounding bicycle accident cases in Chicago:

• Dooring – Motor vehicle doors opening and hitting an oncoming bicycle are illegal under Illinois state law.
• Failure to Yield – Not giving bicyclists the right of way often causes accidents. Disregarding dedicated bicycle lanes and running stop signs is equally dangerous.
• Drunk Driving – This is one of the most common reasons for car accidents involving cyclists, as drivers impaired by alcohol cannot operate their motor vehicle safely.
• Lack of Bike Path – Chicago cyclists who lack access to proper bike lanes or have to use ones that aren’t appropriately maintained are at a higher risk.
• Left-Cross Bicycle Collisions — Collisions where a driver turns left without yielding to an oncoming cyclist.
• Other Causes – Dog attack bike accidents, road rage bike accidents, sideswipe bicycle accidents, crashes involving rideshare services,

No matter the cause of your accident, contact a lawyer to see if you could be entitled to compensation.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Injured bicyclists may suffer from decreased mobility, chronic pain, and may even lose their life to their injuries, especially when colliding with large vehicles like buses. Some of the most common bicycle accident injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries – Ranging from a minor head injury to severe brain injuries that lead to permanent disability. Not wearing a helmet can exacerbate head and dental injuries from accidents.
• Fractures – Impact may result in broken bones in various body parts including the face. Joint dislocations are also a common occurrence.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – Victims may suffer nerve damage after a crash or paralysis due to spinal cord injuries received in a bicycle accident.
• Skin Abrasions—Sliding across the tarmac after impact can cause severe skin abrasions, which may never fully heal.
• Burns – Due to battery explosions in electric bicycle accidents.

Common Bicycle Accident Victims

Confident cyclists, including the following, face higher risks:

• Children – More vulnerable due to unpredictable riding patterns and exposure to distracted drivers in residential areas.
• Urban Commuters – High risk of dooring accidents and being struck in blind spots by turning vehicles, such as taxis, at intersections.
• Recreational Cyclists – Often affected by road hazards like potholes, loose gravel, or poorly maintained bike lanes.
• Food Delivery Riders & Couriers – Frequently navigate traffic congestion and aggressive drivers, increasing accident exposure.

If you were injured due to driver negligence or unsafe road conditions, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you seek a fair settlement offer.

Liability in Bicycle Accident Cases

Other parties may be liable for your accident besides the at-fault driver. Therefore, you might be eligible to recover compensation from multiple parties. A Chicago, Illinois, bicycle accident lawyer can help determine who you have a bicycle accident case against so you are fairly compensated.

• Employer’s Liability – An employer may be liable for an accident caused by one of their employees while at work.
• Product Liability—The manufacturer of your bicycle might be liable for defects or for a failed recall.
• Government Liability—Government departments can be held liable in some instances, such as when they fail to maintain roads or bike paths properly.
• Bike-Sharing Liability—Bike-sharing programs typically have many disclaimers in their user agreements. However, a law firm may still be able to prove negligence if the accident was caused by a defect in the bike or a lack of proper maintenance.

Remember, Illinois follows a comparative fault rule, meaning injured cyclists can still recover damages even if they were partially at fault.

Cyclists’ Obligations Under Illinois Law

Illinois state law requires bicyclists to follow the same traffic rules as motorists, including:

• Riding with traffic – Cyclists must travel in the same direction as vehicles.
• Staying visible – Riders should stay near the right edge of the road when safe.
• Using hand signals – Required for turns and stops to alert other road users.
• Bike equipment – Bicycles must have a brake and a red rear light for night riding.
• One-hand rule – Riders must always keep at least one hand on the handlebars.
• Chicago-specific rules – Cycling on sidewalks in business districts is prohibited.

If you were injured due to a driver’s negligence, you need a bicycle accident attorney to help you file a claim.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a bicycle accident in Chicago, don’t wait to exercise your legal rights to financial compensation. Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers can evaluate how we can help you pursue compensation. Like many in the legal community, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover your compensation.

Call or complete our online contact form to schedule a free case evaluation at our Chicago office.

Our downtown office, near the Richard J. Daley Center, Dirkson United States Courthouse, and the Chicago Workers’ Compensation Commission, offers convenient access from Aurora, Joliet, and Waukegan via I-90, I-94, and I-290.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

225 W Wacker Dr #1660
Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (847) 835-8895
Toll Free: (888) 424-5757

Resources: [1] City of Chicago, [2] CDC, [3] Axios

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.