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Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Soft Tissue Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
A Chicago bicycle soft tissue injury lawyer can help you build a strong injury claim as a hurt cyclist. A growing population of Chicagoans is relying on bicycles to get around the city, especially as infrastructural improvements have prioritized cyclists in recent years.
Although the number of safe roadways and lanes for bikers is increasing, cyclists still face significant danger. They are more vulnerable to injuries when collisions occur, especially if larger motor vehicles are involved. Our Chicago bike crash attorney team can assist with your compensation claim.
Areas like the Downtown Loop have numerous intersections where bikers and drivers could collide. Even the best helmets and safety gear do not always prevent all types of injuries in bike accidents.
Common Types of Soft Tissue Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
Soft-tissue injuries encompass a wide range of bodily damage, including damage to tendons, muscles, or ligaments. Due to blunt force trauma and the violent movements that occur in most crashes, this type of injury is common in bike accidents.
A sprain is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments are soft tissues that connect bones at a joint. Ankles, knees, hips, and elbows are common locations for sprains.
Strains occur in either muscles or tendons. A tendon is the fibrous connective tissue that links muscles to bones. Strains are commonly found in the back, neck, hamstring, shoulder, groin, and calf, though any area of the body could be vulnerable during a bicycle accident.
Whiplash is commonly associated with vehicular collisions because it involves the sudden and violent movement of the neck. When your body is thrown in one direction quickly, it can damage the soft tissues in the neck and cause severe pain or other health complications.
A contusion is another name for a bruise. It occurs when there is damage to the soft tissue under the skin, causing discoloration. Small blood vessels that have been damaged by blunt force will leak blood under the skin, causing discoloration.
Many joints are cushioned by fluid-filled sacs that prevent the bones from grating against each other painfully. When these sacs burst because of blunt force, it is a condition known as bursitis. Bursitis can heal with rest, ice packs, and range-of-motion exercises. If left untreated, it could worsen or even cause an infection.
Causes of Chicago Bicycle Accidents Leading to Soft Tissue Injuries
There are many potential causes of bike accidents in Chicago. As a cyclist, you should be aware of these causes to protect yourself better when riding around the city.
One of the primary causes of bicycle collisions is negligent drivers. Often, drivers are not looking out for bikers, or they may be distracted. Many don’t realize bikers have the same rights as drivers per municipal code 9-52-010.
Portions of the city where bikers and drivers intersect can be particularly dangerous. Western Avenue has been the site of ten accidents involving bikes and vehicles since 2015. Ashland Avenue has witnessed eleven of these crashes.
Milwaukee Avenue, a major biking route, has reported six such accidents since 2018. Since nearby drivers often cause bike accidents, you should be extra cautious in these areas.
Another common cause of bicycle accidents in Chicago is road hazards. Potholes, uneven surfaces, streetcar tracks, and debris are most frequently cited as causes of bike crashes. When riding through areas under construction or with poor maintenance, look for these hazards to protect yourself from soft tissue injuries.
Liability in a Chicago Bicycle Accident Soft Tissue Injury Case
If you have suffered from soft tissue injuries or other types of bodily damage from a bike accident, you may be eligible for a personal injury claim. To win compensation for legal damages, you will need to prove liability.
Establishing negligence requires four elements in a personal injury case. The defendant must have a duty of care toward the plaintiff. They must have breached that duty of care with their actions. A causal link must exist between the defendant’s actions and the plaintiff’s suffering. Lastly, there must be provable damages suffered by the plaintiff.
Various parties could be held liable for bike accidents. The most common defendants in these claims are negligent drivers, government entities, pedestrians, other cyclists, property owners, driver employers, and even equipment manufacturers.
If you are uncertain about who is responsible for your injuries or how to prove negligence, a bicycle accident lawyer in Chicago can help you determine liability.
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident Resulting in Soft Tissue Injuries
If you are considering a personal injury lawsuit for soft tissue injuries suffered in a bike collision, you must understand how the legal process works. Here are the basic steps you should follow in the aftermath of the crash to prepare for a potential lawsuit:
- Prioritize your safety by seeking medical attention immediately.
- Report the accident to the Chicago Police Department.
- Document the accident scene with photos, videos, and witness information.
- Collect driver and insurance company information if vehicles are involved.
- Preserve any physical evidence you have, such as your bicycle, helmet, and clothing.
- Keep detailed records of all medical treatment, expenses, and lost wages.
- Never admit fault for the accident to anyone, and do not discuss it with other insurance companies without seeking legal advice.
- Consult an experienced lawyer to discuss your legal options.
Filing a Claim or Lawsuit for Soft Tissue Injuries from a Chicago Bicycle Accident
If you are ready to file a claim against the at-fault party, you should consult an experienced law firm specializing in Chicago bicycle accidents. Once you hire a lawyer, they will investigate the case and start gathering evidence to support your claim.
For example, if a witness saw you signal your intent to turn properly, following municipal code 9-52-045, their testimony could strengthen your case. Your lawyer will help you file the claim and issue a complaint in Illinois courts. A discovery process, a settlement negotiation with the insurance company, and a potential civil trial will follow.
Your attorney will protect your rights and provide guidance throughout this legal process.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to for Soft Tissue Injuries
Whether you were involved in a bicycle crash in the Near North Side or on Pulaski Road, you could seek compensation if someone else’s negligence caused the accident. The two types of legal damages you could pursue are economic and non-economic.
Economic damages in a bicycle crash case may include lost wages, medical expenses, future medical costs, therapy bills, and property damage.
Non-economic damages could include emotional distress, mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. If your soft tissue injuries have caused long-term disabilities, this could be another loss included in your settlement.
It is your lawyer’s job to assess all potential damages and negotiate for maximum compensation from the at-fault party and their insurance company. The more experienced your attorney, the more likely they will be able to maximize your settlement.
Statute of Limitations for Chicago Bicycle Accident Claims
In Illinois, there is a statute of limitations for bike accident cases. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, most plaintiffs have two years from the date of the incident to file their compensation claims. Although there are some exceptions, your eligibility for a settlement could be dismissed if you wait too long to pursue legal action.
Another reason to act quickly with your claim is to take advantage of fresh evidence, which will strengthen your case.
Secure Expert Legal Counsel!
An injury from a bicycle accident in Chicago could be life-changing. Although many soft tissue injuries are less severe, they can still cause you to miss work or pay expensive treatment bills, all because someone else behaved negligently.
Many areas of the South Side, West Side, and Northwest Side lack bike lanes, forcing riders to use the roads more often. This places them at an increased risk of getting hurt because of inattentive drivers.
When you need a law firm to level the playing field against the insurance company or defense lawyers, our team can help. We know what it takes to build a strong case, negotiate from a position of strength, and assess all legal damages.
When you work with an Illinois bike crash attorney from our law firm, you will be guided through the claims process by an experienced professional. Choosing a legal path should never be an uninformed decision, so we offer a free consultation during which you can ask questions about the claims process or your specific case.
