Bicycle accident statistics in Chicago underscore the danger of biking in the Windy City. If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, you need high-quality legal representation on your side. Our team of nationally recognized Chicago bike crash lawyers is here to protect Illinois bicyclists from careless drivers. Contact us for a free consultation about your legal rights.
Risk of Bicycle Accidents
According to Chicago Municipal Code §9-52-010, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other road users. Despite increasing bike lane connections and greater awareness of bicycle safety, negligent drivers frequently hit and injure cyclists on Illinois roads.
Sources of Chicago Bicycle Accident Data
Our attorneys have gathered these bike accident statistics from reliable and official sources, including:
- Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)
- Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
- Chicago Police Department
- Active Transportation Alliance
- Bike Lane Uprising
- People Powered Movement
- Streetsblog Chicago, a transportation news outlet
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Overall Chicago Bicycle Accident Statistics
- There were 1,440 Chicago bicycle crashes reported to IDOT in 2023.
- 1,270 crashes resulted in injury, and there were seven bicyclist fatalities.
- July, August, and September are the most dangerous months for cyclists in Chicago.
- Cycling has gotten more dangerous in the last 5 years. In 2019, there were 1,946 injured bicyclists, while in 2024, there were 2,349. This is despite improvements like protected bike lanes and better cycling advocacy.
- 2023 was the deadliest on record, with seven fatalities.
- 70% of all Illinois collisions between cyclists and cars occur in Chicago.
Types of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago
Chicago, like other big cities, is more likely to have cyclist accidents. The NHTSA found that 85% of all crashes nationwide occurred in urban areas rather than rural areas.
Bike accident statistics from IDOT note that in 2021, 62% of injured cyclists were hit by a passenger car, and 14.7% were hit by an SUV.
NHTSA reports that in 2021, 30% of all accidents occurred at intersections. About 20% of crashes are due to dooring, or when a driver opens their door in a cyclist’s path.
Contributing Factors in Chicago Bicycle Accidents
According to People Powered Movement, 90% of Chicago bicycle crashes are due to driver negligence. These factors include:
- Failing to yield to bikers at
- Making unsafe turns in front of cyclists at stop signs or traffic signals
- Hitting oncoming cyclists by failing to maintain a lane
- Hitting riders in the bike lane
- Opening a car door into a cyclist’s path
However, bike riders also cause traffic accidents. 2023 Illinois Department of Transportation statistics demonstrate how many crashes are due to cyclist negligence. This includes 56 cases of riding against the flow of traffic.
In 2021, the average age of injured bikers was 14, showing that young teens need greater bicycle safety lessons.
Locations with High Bicycle Accident Rates in Chicago
Chicago is not known for its bike-friendliness despite significant investments. According to People for Bikes, it is one of the worst major cities to bike in. Some of the most dangerous intersections include:
- Stony Island & South Chicago
- North, Damen, and Milwaukee
- Irving Park, Cicero, and Milwaukee
- Lincoln & Clark
- S. Cottage Grove & E. 79th Street
- E. 79th & Stony Island
Injuries Sustained in Chicago Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle crashes can lead to very severe injuries, including:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Road rash
- Bruising
You must always wear a helmet when you ride. Policies that require helmet use have reduced bicycle fatalities by 20-55%, demonstrating that this essential gear can save your life.
The Importance of Reporting Bicycle Accidents
§625 ILCS 5/11-408 requires that all car accidents resulting in significant property damage or injuries be reported to the police within ten days. Even if your accident did not involve a motor vehicle, you should still report it. This makes it easier to make an insurance claim, and it also improves data accuracy and bicycle safety efforts in the city of Chicago.
Why You Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney
Working with an experienced bicycle accident attorney improves your chance of receiving compensation, as attorneys can negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you receive a fair bike accident settlement.
Our law firm will thoroughly investigate your accident to determine the cause and potential liability. This includes reviewing surveillance footage, analyzing police reports, and interviewing witnesses to learn more about the crash.
We can assess your injuries to determine how much they may be worth and consult with medical professionals to identify your future treatment needs. This ensures that your settlement will cover all your medical expenses and lost wages so that you can recuperate in comfort.
Our attorneys are skilled at negotiating with insurance companies. We can file the correct paperwork, provide evidence to support our demands and use prior case law to determine the value of your case.
If the insurance company refuses to settle for a fair sum, we can file a lawsuit to fight for more. This can result in significantly higher verdicts, though the process will take longer. For example, Ferry v. Enterprise Leasing Company resulted in a $1.2 million jury verdict when a college student was hit by a car operated by an Enterprise employee.
Secure Expert Legal Counsel!
Our Illinois bike crash lawyers fight hard for injured bikers, using all our resources to get what they deserve. To schedule a free consultation with our skilled bicycle accident lawyers, call us or use our online contact form.
