Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Illinois is home to hundreds of miles of bike paths dedicated specifically for use by pedestrians and bicyclists. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, roughly 1,900 miles of the Illinois state highway system are suitable for biking, and over 120,000 miles of local roadways also give bike riders an ample opportunity to take to the road on their bicycles.

Bicycling can be a fun and healthy recreational activity for people in Chicago and throughout Illinois, but getting into an accident while you are operating a bicycle can be particularly dangerous or even deadly.

After all, when a car collides with a bicycle, the person riding the bike is extremely susceptible to serious injury even at relatively low speeds.

Moreover, injuries related to or caused by bike accidents can be especially severe because bicycle operators do not have much in the way of protection from car accidents or truck accidents, even if they are wearing a helmet and other protective gear.

Accordingly, if you are injured in a bike accident, then you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, as well as consult with a personal injury attorney who has experience handling bike accidents, like the team at Zayed Law Offices.

Roughly one in eight bike accidents involves a brain injury or head injury, but other injuries caused by bicycle accidents can be equally traumatic, including facial injuries, neck injuries, nerve damage, broken bones, and even paralysis or loss of limb.

Wrongful deaths also occur in fatal bike accidents.

Our Chicago bike accident lawyers are experts in the Illinois laws that pertain to bicycle accidents, and we are driven by a desire to assist those who may be suffering from injuries due to bike accidents that have happened throughout Illinois and the greater Chicago area.

The type of damages one can claim in the event of a bicycle accident under the Illinois legal system include but are not limited to medical expenses, wage loss, pain and suffering, future medical expenses, future impairment of earning capacity, and future pain and suffering.

If you think that you or a family member have a bicycle accident lawsuit claim, then you will be well-served by retaining the services of a bike accident lawyer at Zayed Law Offices.

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What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident?

A bike accident in Chicago can be an extremely dangerous and harmful occurrence that affects the rest of your life.

If you are in a bicycle accident, the first thing you should do is seek medical attention, even if you don't seem to have any serious injuries.

That's because whiplash injuries and trauma to the head, neck and back can take a while to appear and can be very serious.

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident or bike crash involving a personal injury and you suspect that you have a cause of action for a lawsuit, you should contact a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible, avoid speaking with insurance company representatives until you can secure legal counsel, and collect the following information:

• The full legal name, telephone number, driver's license number, current address, and information for all parties involved in the bike accident
• The full legal names, addresses, and telephone numbers for all passengers and pedestrians who could be considered potential witnesses
• Observations pertaining to the accident such as whether another driver appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, poor road conditions, or vehicle defects prior to the accident like broken headlights or brake lights
• Location, details, time, and date of the bike accident
• Contact information for any police officers or first responders on the scene

Writing down or recording everything in the best detail you can remember as quickly as possible following the motor vehicle accident will help you keep track of important elements and avoid memory issues later.

Your bicycle accident law firm will thank you - and you will thank yourself for having the presence of mind to capture details that could prove to be vital information in court later.

When you see a doctor after the accident, whether it is in the emergency room or a first responder or you see your physician later, always ensure you get copies of all reports and information from the medical team to help document your injuries and subsequent medical costs.

Do I Need to Hire a Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

After being injured in a bicycle accident, it is likely you will require insurance support and funding for medical bills and more.

Accordingly, if you were in a bicycle accident in Chicago and you need a bike accident lawyer because you were not at fault and suffered damages, then contact the experienced bicycle crash lawyers at Zayed Law Offices.

It is important to seek legal counsel during the aftermath of a bicycle accident or any other motor vehicle collision because insurance companies pay, on average, almost triple the original or established amounts in cases where the victim is represented by a lawyer.

Therefore, it is essential to contact a collision lawyer or bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible after an accident so that they have the best possible opportunity to track down any and all witnesses and investigate key evidence before it is purposefully or inadvertently destroyed.

Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyers

If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Chicago and the at-fault party was a motor vehicle operator or driver, then you will likely want to consult a bike injury attorney who has experience handling bicycle accident personal injury cases.

The experienced bicycle crash lawyers at Zayed Law Offices are standing by and ready to assist you in your case.

Contacting a bike accident lawyer should be one of the first things you do - after you get medical attention of course - is to contact a lawyer who has experience handling personal injury lawsuits related to bicycle accidents.

After all, if you or a loved one were recently involved in a bicycle crash and an injury occurred as a result of that motor vehicle accident, then you may be able to claim damages including associated medical expenses, future medical expenses, wage loss, future impairment, or loss of earning capacity, and current and future pain and suffering.

A qualified bike accident attorney can help you determine the best next steps and how to file a lawsuit during the aftermath of a bicycle accident when you may be recovering from injuries and dealing with all of the stress, healing, and other repercussions of being in a bike collision or wreck.

Do I Need to Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney?

If you or a loved one were injured in a bike accident - especially if a motor vehicle operator or driver was involved - then you should consult with a bike crash lawyer to see what kind of damages you are owed and to get compensation for your medical bills and pain and suffering.

How Do I Find a Bicycle Accident Law Firm?

If you were involved in a bicycle accident and think you may have a legal claim or cause of action for a lawsuit, you should contact a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after receiving medical attention.

Who Is at Fault in A Bicycle Accident?

Bicycle accidents can occur for any number of reasons or a combination of reasons; however, the one thing nearly all bike accidents have in common is that they involve factors that were outside of the victim's control.

Causes of bike crashes or wrecks can include but are not limited to:

• Speeding or driving at speeds above and beyond the posted speed limits
• Speeding or going at imprudent speeds for the weather, condition of the road, or the speed of fellow motorists (this includes going too quickly or too slowly)
• Driver impairment because of alcohol, drugs, or other controlled substances
• Driver impairment due to fatigue
• Driver impairment due to age
• Driver impairment due to illness or injury and associated symptoms or side effects (such as a concussion or other head injury)
• Driver lacks a valid driver's license in the state or jurisdiction
• Distracted driving due to talking on their cell phone, texting on their cell phone, fiddling with the radio or stereo, or eating in the vehicle
• Poor road conditions including inclement weather like rain, ice, snow, or other precipitation
• Poor road conditions due to damage like potholes or cracks
• Poor road conditions due to foreign objects like branches, auto parts, or other debris on the road surface
• Poor road design and layout, such as lack of or bad visibility, dangerous surface conditions, and improper or insufficient road markings or signage
• Mechanical failure of the vehicle or vehicles including tires, brakes, and steering mechanisms

When you have been involved in a bike accident or collision with a car, truck, or other motor vehicle while you were on a bike, there are varying degrees of fault and multiple elements are play when it comes to proving fault and taking effective action against the perpetrator or perpetrator of the accidents.

Filing a lawsuit for a bicycle accident can be complex and require a broad range of expertise in order to prove fault and successfully recover damages.

The personal injury attorneys at Zayed Law Office have extensive experience dealing with bicycle accidents and will provide you with a sound basis on whether you should pursue a lawsuit or action in court and help you file and negotiate your bike accident lawsuit case.

How Much Is a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit Worth?

The value of a bicycle accident lawsuit varies depending on the extent of the injuries caused and their long-lasting effects.

Destruction of property and the cost of the bicycle and other vehicles involved may also play a role.

Under Illinois law, the plaintiff in a bicycle accident lawsuit can pursue compensation for losses including but not limited to…

• Current and future medical costs including but not limited to hospital visits, doctor's appointments, physical therapy, ambulance fees, and other related costs for medical care necessary to recover from bicycle accident injuries. This can include future costs of care as well, which is particularly valid in the case of catastrophic injuries such as the loss of a limb or limbs or paralysis.
• Pain and suffering or the emotional distress and anguish that result from the bicycle accident or motor vehicle collision, including the costs of mental care for post-traumatic stress disorder or similar conditions that were caused by the bicycle crash
• Lost wages from missing due to injuries from the bicycle accident, which can be one of the most financially devastating aspects of being involved in a bike crash
• Loss of future income due to injuries from the bicycle wreck, including loss of limbs, paralysis, or other physical or mental impairment that may have occurred as a direct result of the bicycle crash

If you or a loved one were involved in a bicycle accident and you believe that you have a personal injury case and are owed damages, contact a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

A bike injury lawyer at Zayed Law Offices are here to assist you throughout the entire process.

Bicycle Accident Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Chicago

In the case of wrongful or accidental death due to the negligent conduct of another party or parties in a motor vehicle accident involving a bicycle operator, their heirs have the right to file an accidental death lawsuit under Illinois law, which allows for a cause of action to be brought on behalf of family members or heirs of the deceased.

Accidental death lawsuits stemming from bicycle accidents can cover medical bills and related expenses, pain and suffering, loss of earnings, and emotional distress for the family of the deceased.

These losses are compensable in the state of Illinois under the Illinois Survival Act.

A bicycle accident attorney experienced in handling these types of suits will be able to assist your family during this difficult time of unimaginable loss and handle the associated lawsuits and insurance claims so your family doesn't have to and can focus on their grieving process and recovery.

Bicycle Accident Damages and Settlements

The value of a motor vehicle accident case involving a bicycle depends on the damages caused and the extent of harm incurred by the victim or victims.

Damages can be recovered or settlements made for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:

• Disability due to injuries from the accident
• Current or immediate medical bills
• Future medical bills
• Loss of earnings or wages (in the present)
• Loss of earning capacity in the future (in the event of a disability or catastrophic injury, or wrongful death)
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage or destruction of your bicycle or other vehicle

After being involved in a bicycle accident, you may have experienced significant discomfort, pain, injury, inconvenience, or catastrophic damage to your person such as the loss of a limb(s) or paralysis.

You may have missed and may continue to miss significant amounts of work or may even no longer be able to work in your previous capacity.

Motor vehicle incidents may even involve catastrophic injury or fatalities for the bike operator, which could lead to a wrongful death lawsuit.

Filing a lawsuit against the negligent parties in a bicycle accident is a way of recovering or recouping the loss or damages for the accident and ensuring that medical bills, loss of income, and other pain and suffering that occurred as a result of the accident are taken care of as best allowed by the Illinois and United States legal system.

Bicycle Accident Trials

While a bicycle accident or bike crash lawsuit case may be settled out of court for a monetary amount agreed upon by both the defendant and plaintiff and their lawyers, a bicycle-motor vehicle collision case may go to trial if a satisfactory settlement cannot be reached.

Bicycle accident lawsuits go to trial due to a number of reasons.

For instance, if the vehicle operator or negligent party or parties are solely at fault but their insurance won't acknowledge the fault of the policyholder, the case may be taken to trial to enable a judge and jury to decide if damages should be awarded and in what amounts.

Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Lawsuits

In the state of Illinois, the time limit or statute of limitations for personal injury cases due to bicycle crashes or other motor vehicle accidents is two years from the date that the crash occurred.

If a bicycle accident victim or their family members (in the case of wrongful death) fails to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent or at-fault party or parties within this two-year window, they will be unable to recover the compensation they may deserve.

However, the bicycle accident in question involved a government or municipally owned vehicle such as a commercial vehicle accident that includes an ambulance, police car, or fire truck, the statute of limitations may be dramatically shortened to 180 days with zero exceptions and the burden of proof may be higher.

Therefore, securing legal counsel as quickly as possible after being involved in a wreck or collision with a government vehicle is essential if you hope to recover damages or compensation.

Fatalities and Bicycle Accident Lawsuits

If you have lost a loved one in a bicycle accident or other motor vehicle accident, you may have grounds or a cause of action for a wrongful death lawsuit.

While no amount of money or financial recovery will ever fully assuage your grief, you have the right to compensation.

Working with Chicago wrongful death attorneys who have experience handling wrongful death cases in Illinois can help you recover costs for medical bills, loss of income, loss of companionship, and pain and suffering.

Navigating the complexities of bicycle accident lawsuits and wrongful death lawsuits and ensuring that appropriate at-fault parties and their insurance companies pay the full settlement or damages owed is a job for an experience bike accident lawyer, so if you believe you may have a bicycle crash wrongful death case, contact the personal injury attorneys at Zayed Law Offices as soon as possible.

Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help

At Zayed Law Offices, our first and foremost goal is to protect the rights of the injured.

If you or a loved one have been in a motor vehicle accident while operating a bicycle and you have questions about personal injury lawsuits or compensation for your medical bills and pain and suffering, are wondering how to pursue a personal injury case, or whether you have a cause of action to file a legal claim against the person or persons who caused your bicycle accident, we can help you understand the associated laws and your options.

We know that a bicycle accident can be a catastrophic and traumatic event that affects you, your family, and your career in many complicated and devastating ways.

Furthermore, the effects of being in a motor vehicle accident when you are on a bike can last for many years into the future, affecting your health, medical costs, current and future income, and even your family's future if you lose earning capacity or the ability to care for yourself.

What's more, if you've lost a loved one to a bike crash or bicycle fatality, you deserve a settlement and to deal with the grieving process as best you can without the extra stress of dealing with insurance companies and other third parties.

All of the above reasons are why you should work with a personal injury attorney who has experience dealing with bike accidents and bicycle crash injuries who can help you recover costs for pain and suffering, loss of earnings, loss of earning capacity, medical bills, disability, and emotional distress.

Have you been in a bike collision with another personal or commercial motor vehicle operator and need a bicycle accident lawyer to help you sue for damages?

We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your legal situation and help you determine the next steps.

Please contact Zayed Law Offices in Chicago and schedule a free case review and confidential initial consultation by completing our short contact form.

We'll schedule a time that is convenient for you and please note that you will not pay lawyer's fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Professional Bicycle Accident Attorneys Here to Assist You

If you recently have been involved in a bicycle accident it is within your best interest to contact a personal injury lawyer. 

Let the Zayed Law Offices team get you the results you need.