If you were injured in a bicycle accident in Wheaton, IL, you deserve an experienced attorney in your corner. Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys is an award-winning law firm with decades of legal experience under our belts. Our experienced Wheaton bicycle accident lawyers are ready to help you fight to recover compensation for medical costs, lost income, pain, trauma, and other injury-related losses. Call us today at (630) 690-1919.
Our team is committed to helping injury victims and their families recover full compensation when it matters most. Our successful approach has helped us recover over $100 million in settlements and verdicts for our satisfied clients.
We know a serious accident can be incredibly overwhelming. Call our law offices in Wheaton, Illinois, to schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can help.
How Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help You After a Bicycle Accident in Wheaton
The at-fault driver already has a defense team if they have car insurance. The insurance company will fight tooth and nail to avoid paying what you deserve. To get a fair deal, you want to have an experienced Wheaton personal injury lawyer in your corner.
Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum have all recognized Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys for our exceptional legal services.
Here’s what our Wheaton personal injury attorneys can do for you:
- Conduct a complete investigation to locate evidence needed to prove your case
- Hire leading experts to offer proof about complicated issues
- Deal with the paperwork and legal filings
- Defend against allegations that you caused the accident
- Locate every source of compensation that’s available
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
We have a proven track record of success at trial. Contact us today for a free consultation to get started.
How Common are Bicycle Accidents in Illinois?
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 2,928 motor vehicle accidents involving bicycles occurred statewide during 2023.
Of those bicycle accidents:
- 41 bicyclists were killed in crashes
- 2,596 bicyclists sustained injuries in traffic accidents
- 357 bicyclists received “incapacitating” injuries that were not fatal but prevented the injured person from walking, driving, or normally continuing the activities they were capable of before the injury
When you do the math, you can see how dangerous car accidents are for bicyclists.
What is My Wheaton Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
This is one of the most common questions accident victims ask. Major factors affecting your case value are the severity of your injuries and your financial losses.
Cases involving severe and life-altering injuries tend to be worth the most. That said, you may be entitled to a substantial compensation award even if you’re expected to recover fully from your injuries.
Specific Factors That Can Impact the Value of a Personal Injury Case
Some key factors that must be assessed when evaluating the value of a personal injury claim include:
- The value of any ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, and assistance that will be required in addition to the expenses you’ve already incurred
- The amount of income you’ve lost due to the accident and injury
- The anticipated future impact on your earnings capacity
- The overall level of pain, suffering, and mental trauma you have experienced
- The effects of Illinois’ shared fault laws if you share some blame
Our lawyers in Wheaton can provide more details about your case value during a free case evaluation. There’s no risk in learning more, so contact us today to arrange a time to talk.
What Compensation Can I Receive if My Wheaton Bicycle Accident Claim is Successful?
Damages are divided into two main categories under Illinois personal injury laws: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are your tangible, financial losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Specialized therapies and assistance
- Property damage
Non-economic damages compensate for the subjective emotional and physical impact of the accident and injury, including:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Depression
- PTSD
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Your compensation award should account for the specific losses you have experienced due to the accident. Every victim reacts differently to a trauma. Our lawyers have the skills to help you fight for a compensation award that makes you whole again.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Fight for Compensation in Illinois?
Our team at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys works entirely on contingency. You don’t pay us anything initially. Instead, you cover our attorneys’ fees by paying a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
This fee structure means you can get quality legal representation even if you’re in a tough financial situation right now. Injuries are expensive. You deserve time to recover without worrying about legal fees.
Can Shared Fault Laws Impact My Damages Award if I was Partly Responsible for a Bicycle Accident in Illinois?
Illinois uses a modified comparative negligence law. Like any injury victim, injured bicyclists can be blamed for their injuries.
You can recover some compensation even if you share some blame for the accident. You may not be able to recover compensation once your percentage of blame reaches 51%. If you share less than 51% of the blame, your compensation may be reduced by whatever share of fault is yours.
Our lawyers know how to handle cases where fault is disputed. If someone is blaming you for your injuries, give us a call to discuss your legal options.
You Deserve Compensation for All of Your Bicycle Accident Injuries
Even if you wear a helmet and other protective gear, you may not be protected against all injuries when you’re hit by a car. The fact is, a bicycle offers no protection in a crash. When you’re thrown to the ground, the potential for severe injuries is only magnified.
Bicycle accident victims often suffer:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Leg and knee injuries
- Chest injuries
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Road rash
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
These injuries can take weeks or months to heal, if they fully heal at all. We know your injuries have likely already taken a dramatic toll on your life. You deserve to be compensated if someone else caused your injuries. While you focus on healing, our lawyers will diligently work to ensure you receive the money you deserve.
What are the Leading Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Wheaton?
Understanding the cause of your crash is critical to making a full financial recovery. Anyone whose acts contributed to the accident could be held responsible.
Some common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way to cyclists
- Veering into a bike lane
- Failure to check blind spots
- Speeding
- Lane departures
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous turns
- Racing through an intersection at a yellow light
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving or drug use
- Fatigued drivers
- Lack of bike lanes and other infrastructure to protect cyclists
It’s okay if you don’t fully understand the cause of your accident. Our lawyers will conduct our own investigation and search for the evidence you need to prove your case.
How Do I Prove I Deserve Compensation After a Bicycle Accident in Illinois?
Your right to seek compensation depends on establishing liability. You must prove that someone else caused your injuries to get compensation. Negligent driving is the root cause of most bike accidents in Wheaton.
As the injured party, you’ll have to prove four elements:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care, or a duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent injuries
- They breached their duty through some reckless or careless act
- That breach of duty was the direct cause of your injuries
- You suffered damages as a result of the accident
Our lawyers will work hard to locate the evidence you need to prove your case. Accident reports, medical records, video footage, and physical evidence from the crash scene can all be critical evidence in your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in Illinois?
The statute of limitations in Illinois personal injury cases is typically two years from the date of the accident.
You’ll start by filing a claim with insurance. Many cases don’t proceed to trial because they may be resolved through insurance negotiations. Still, a trial should always be on the table so that the insurance company is willing to negotiate in good faith. The bottom line is that you should call a bicycle accident lawyer sooner rather than later.
Contact Our Experienced Wheaton Bicycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Recovering from a bike accident can be extremely overwhelming. If you or a family member were injured, call Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys to discuss your legal options. Hiring an experienced Wheaton bicycle accident attorney can be the key to maximizing your financial award.