How Can I Seek Compensation After a Bicycle Accident in Illinois?

 Posted on August 22, 2019 in Personal Injury

Every year, thousands of Americans suffer significant injuries while riding bicycles. While biking can be an enjoyable activity and a convenient way to commute to and from work, cycling does come with some inherent safety risks. Most notably, bike riders have little protection aside from their helmets, especially if they are struck by a motor vehicle. Because of this, many of the injuries associated with bicycle accidents can be life-threatening. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 700 bicyclists suffered fatal injuries after being struck by motor vehicles in 2017. If you or a loved one are injured in a bicycle collision, it is time to speak with a legal professional.

Securing Compensation

When accidents occur between a motorist and a bicyclist, it is not uncommon to find that the motorist was acting negligently in some manner. Motorist negligence can come in any number of forms, from running a red light to erratically swerving from lane to lane. Today, the most common forms of driver negligence are speeding, texting and driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Speeding is prevalent in many bicycle collisions, due to the fact that the motorist’s reaction time is significantly hindered because of the high speed at which he or she is traveling. Texting while operating a vehicle has become the most common form of distracted driving and can be incredibly dangerous to bicyclists. Unfortunately, alcohol plays a huge role in many collisions between bikes and vehicles. Throughout 2017, 37 percent of all fatal bicycle collisions involved an intoxicated motorist. An injured cyclist may be able to seek compensation from a driver whose actions or negligence led to a bike accident.

It is important to note that a person can also pursue compensation after a bicycle accident if the injury was caused by some form of defect in the bike or protective gear. For instance, if your brakes spontaneously failed, and you could not stop your bike, you may be able to seek compensation from the bike manufacturer if there was a faulty part. Similarly, if your helmet was defective and did not provide adequate protection, you may be able to file a claim against the helmet company.

Contact a Schaumburg Bicycle Accident Lawyer

At Newland & Newland, L.L.P., we fully understand the way in which a serious biking injury can impact a person’s life. If you or a loved one are hurt while riding a bike, injuries can result in significant medical expenses and prolonged loss of wages. Recognizing this, our team is dedicated to doing whatever we can to ensure your family receives the compensation you need to recover from any and all damages suffered. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation with a skilled Arlington Heights personal injury attorney, call our office today at 847-797-8000.

Source:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety