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Injured in a bicycle accident? Our experienced attorneys are ready to fight for your rights.
Bicycle Cases We Handle
- Dooring Accidents
- Right Hook Accidents
- Left Hook Accidents
- Sideswipe Accidents
- Crosswalk Accidents
- Road Rage Incidents
- Hit and Run Incidents
- E-Bike Crashes
- E-Scooter Crashes
- Bus Collisions
- Truck Collisions
- Rideshare Collisions
- Taxi Collisions
- Failure to Stop Accidents
- Underinsured Motorist Collisions
- Product Liability Claims
- Delivery Worker Accidents
- Messenger Accidents
- Bike Share Incidents
Bike Share Accidents
Helping Cyclists Injured in Bicycle Share Accidents Recover Compensation
Our Chicago bicycle share accident lawyers help injured cyclists seek financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses.
For example, we secured a $2,250,000 policy limit bike crash settlement for a commuter who suffered a head injury after being struck while biking to work. The settlement was fully covered by her uninsured motorist policy, ensuring compensation for her medical expenses and recovery.
Common Causes of Chicago Bicycle Share Accidents
Common causes of bicycle crashes include:
- Rider inexperience
- Distracted motorists
- Traffic collisions
- Defective bikes
- Road hazards
Chicago's Divvy Bike Share Program
Chicago bicycle share accidents have become more common as these services expand their operations. The Divvy bike share system has over 6,000 bikes available in the area, and the City of Chicago saw over 10,000 rides taken through the service in 2024.
Divvy is owned by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and operated by Lyft. It is the largest system of its kind in North America with over 234 square miles of operation.
Bike share users must agree to the terms and conditions of membership, which include helmet use, maintaining a proper speed, and following all Illinois laws for bicyclists. It also states that bicyclists assume all risks and that Divvy cannot be held responsible for injuries.
However, this does not always prevent lawsuits. In 2016, Ginny Murray was the first bike share fatality when she was struck by a truck at Belmont and Sacramento. Her family was awarded $5.25 million in a wrongful death suit.
Common Causes of Divvy and Other Bike Share Accidents
Issues that may lead to Divvy crashes include:
- Drivers failing to keep a proper lookout for bicycles, as required by municipal code §9-4-025
- Collisions with parked or moving vehicles
- Defective bikes, such as brake failure or steering problems
- Road hazards like potholes or uneven pavement
- Bike share user inexperience or negligence
- Docking station accidents
- Collisions with pedestrians
Liability in Chicago Bike Share Accidents
Bicycle crashes often have complicated liability, especially those through the Divvy Bike program. Some of the potentially liable parties include the following.
Divvy Rider – If bicyclists fail to obey traffic laws, such as §9-52-110, that prohibits texting while riding, they may be held liable.
Lyft – Lyft operates Divvy and can be held liable if there are issues with the bicycle.
Department of Transportation – If the city does not ensure that streets are safe for those riding a Divvy bike, they can be held liable. However, this can be harder to prove due to the Tort Immunity Law.
City Officials – In Garber v. City of Chicago, a cyclist was awarded $2.25 million after being hit by a police officer.
Other Motorists – Car or truck drivers can be held accountable if they hit cyclists.
Manufacturers – Defective bike parts can mean that a manufacturer is liable.
What to Do if You Got Injured Riding a Divvy Bike
Cyclists need to protect themselves and their legal rights by following these key steps.
- Assess your injuries and move to a safe location
- Call 911 to report the crash and ask for medical assistance
- Gather contact details, witness information, and photos or videos
- Document the Divvy number and condition
- Seek medical attention even if your injuries appear minor
- Do not admit fault to anyone, including drivers and insurance companies
Investigating Your Chicago Bike Accident Claim
Our lawyers can assist you and your family with all tasks associated with your case, which includes:
- Analyzing the police report
- Interviewing witnesses
- Examining the scene and the bicycle condition
- Working with crash reconstructionists if necessary
- Obtaining Divvy maintenance records
Compensation in Chicago Bicycle Share or Divvy Accident Cases
Victims and their family members may receive both economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury case. These can include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future medical care
- Future loss of income
- Property damage
- Funeral expenses for wrongful death
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Grief for wrongful death
- Inconvenience
Why You Need a Chicago Bike Share Accident Lawyer
An attorney can orchestrate the negotiation process, which can be challenging with multiple liable parties. They will thoroughly investigate the accident, finding crucial evidence that will support your claim and prove liability.
Our firm will negotiate with the insurance company and Lyft itself to maximize your compensation, either through negotiation or a lawsuit. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we are able to earn your compensation.
Consult a Chicago Bicycle Share Accident Attorney Near You!
If you’ve been harmed while riding a Divvy vehicle, you deserve compensation. We have a 98% success rate and have worked with over 5,000 clients, including Divvy riders. Our Illinois bike accident law firm is feared by insurance agencies worldwide due to our aggressive negotiation.
