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Accident Lawyer
Injured in a Bicycle Accident? We Can Help.
Illinois Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Illinois Bicycle Accident Attorneys Representing Injured Cyclists Statewide
An Illinois bicycle accident lawyer can help injured cyclists pursue compensation when a negligent driver, unsafe road condition, or another party causes a crash. Our firm handles bicycle accident claims across Illinois, helping injured riders understand their legal options.
The Illinois Department of Transportation’s historical crash data reports 35 bicyclist fatalities in Illinois in 2024. Our previous case results include:
- $605,000 — Recovered in a dooring accident.
- $499,000 — Recovered in a bike messenger crash near a parking garage.
- $199,000 — Recovered after a child was struck while exiting his driveway.
Jonathan Rosenfeld, author of the Bicycle Accident Guidebook, helps injured cyclists understand their legal options.
Call (312) 646-3708 for a free consultation.
Our experienced Illinois bicycle accident lawyers help injured cyclists understand their legal options after crashes involving vehicles, unsafe road conditions, and negligent drivers.
Bicycle Accident Lawyers Serving Cyclists Across Illinois
Our firm handles bicycle accident cases across Illinois, including:
- Chicago and Cook County: Chicago and surrounding communities.
- Collar counties: DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties.
- Northern Illinois: Rockford and Winnebago County.
- Central Illinois: Champaign-Urbana and Springfield.
Explore available service pages: Waukegan bicycle accident lawyer, Aurora bicycle accident lawyer, Naperville bicycle accident lawyer, Joliet bicycle accident lawyer, Elgin bicycle accident lawyer, Rockford bicycle accident lawyer, and Skokie bicycle accident lawyer.
Bicycle accident lawsuits are generally filed in the appropriate court based on jurisdiction and venue, which may include the county where the crash occurred. Confirm the applicable venue rules for each case.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Illinois
Bicycle crashes can occur when drivers or other parties fail to exercise reasonable care. Common causes include:
- Equipment failures: Defective bicycle components or vehicle malfunctions.
- Driver negligence: Distracted driving, speeding, impairment, and failure to yield.
- Unsafe passing: Drivers failing to provide adequate space when overtaking cyclists.
- Dooring: Occupants opening vehicle doors into a cyclist’s path.
- Road hazards: Potholes, debris, and unsafe roadway conditions.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Cyclists have limited physical protection in collisions. Injuries may include:
- Fatal injuries
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones, including pelvic fractures and broken ribs
- Soft-tissue injuries, road rash, and lacerations
- Internal injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Psychological trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress
Illinois Bicycle Laws: Rights and Responsibilities of Cyclists
Illinois law gives cyclists rights and responsibilities when sharing the road. Important rules include:
- Three-foot passing rule: Under 625 ILCS 5/11-703, drivers must maintain at least three feet when passing a cyclist.
- Dennis’ Law: Illinois recognizes bicycles as vehicles for purposes of applicable traffic laws. Learn more about Dennis’ Law.
- Driver due care: Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1, drivers must exercise due care to avoid colliding with cyclists.
- Dooring: Opening a vehicle door into a cyclist’s path may violate applicable traffic laws. Learn about bicycle dooring accidents.
- Nighttime equipment: Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1507, bicycles used at night must have a white front lamp visible from at least 500 feet and a qualifying rear red reflector or permitted red light. Bicycles must also have a working brake.
Illinois has no statewide helmet law requiring all adult cyclists to wear helmets. Local requirements, where applicable, should be checked separately. A helmet may nevertheless reduce the risk of certain head injuries.
Who Is Liable and What If You Were Partly at Fault?
Liability depends on the circumstances of the crash. A driver, vehicle occupant, bicycle or vehicle manufacturer, or government entity may be responsible when their negligence or another legally actionable failure causes injury.
Evidence may include police reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs, surveillance footage, and road-condition documentation.
Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, an injured cyclist may recover damages if their share of fault is not more than 50%. Any award is reduced in proportion to the cyclist’s fault.
Call (312) 646-3708 to discuss your options.
What If the Driver Was Uninsured or Fled?
If the driver who struck you was uninsured or fled the scene, you may still have insurance options. Depending on the policy and circumstances, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may apply. Preserve the available evidence, report the crash, and review your own insurance policy with an attorney before assuming coverage is available.
Steps to Take After an Illinois Bicycle Accident
- Get medical care. Seek emergency assistance when necessary and follow medical advice.
- Report the crash. Contact law enforcement and provide accurate information.
- Document the scene. Photograph the bicycle, vehicles, road conditions, and visible injuries.
- Collect information. Obtain contact and insurance details from involved parties and witnesses when possible.
- Preserve evidence. Keep your damaged bicycle, helmet, and clothing.
- Track your losses. Save medical bills, receipts, wage records, and treatment documentation.
- Seek legal advice. Before giving a recorded statement or accepting a settlement, understand your options.
Illinois law 625 ILCS 5/11-401 addresses a driver’s duties after a crash involving injury or death, including stopping and providing required assistance and information. It should not be paraphrased as a blanket requirement to wait for police to arrive.
Compensation and Filing Deadlines in Illinois
Depending on the evidence and applicable law, compensation may include medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and bicycle or other property damage.
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the general deadline for Illinois personal-injury lawsuits is two years. Different rules may apply to claims involving public entities or employees; 745 ILCS 10/8-101 generally imposes a one-year deadline for civil actions against local public entities and their employees, subject to statutory exceptions.
Deadlines depend on the facts and type of claim. Prompt legal review can help protect evidence and determine which filing period applies.
Talk to an Illinois Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you were injured in a bicycle crash anywhere in Illinois, our attorneys can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation where available. Our firm handles claims involving vehicle collisions, dooring, hit-and-run crashes, and unsafe road conditions.
We work on a contingency fee basis for eligible cases, meaning you pay no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Call (312) 646-3708 for a free consultation, or contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue after a bicycle accident in Illinois?
Most Illinois personal-injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. Claims involving government entities may have shorter deadlines. An attorney can review the facts and identify the applicable filing period.
Why should I hire an Illinois bicycle accident attorney?
An Illinois bicycle accident attorney can investigate the crash, preserve evidence, assess liability, communicate with insurers, and pursue compensation for eligible losses. Legal guidance can be particularly helpful when the driver disputes fault or the injuries require ongoing treatment.
Can I recover compensation after a bicycle dooring accident?
Potentially. If a vehicle occupant opens a door into your path and causes a crash, you may have a claim depending on the evidence and applicable law. Photographs, witness statements, and accident reports can help establish what happened.
What types of bicycle accidents can an Illinois bicycle accident law firm handle?
An Illinois bicycle accident law firm may handle claims involving vehicle collisions, unsafe passing, dooring, intersection crashes, hit-and-run incidents, defective equipment, and hazardous road conditions. Liability depends on the circumstances and evidence in each case.
What compensation can bicycle accident lawyers in Illinois pursue?
Depending on the claim, compensation may cover medical expenses, future treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and property damage. The amount depends on the injuries, documented losses, available evidence, applicable law, and any comparative fault.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured or fled?
You may have options through uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, depending on the policy and circumstances. Report the crash, preserve evidence, and review your coverage promptly. An attorney can help identify potential insurance claims and applicable deadlines.
Legally Reviewed By
Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld
Reviewed by Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld The material on this page has been legally reviewed by Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC. Mr. Rosenfeld and his team have experience representing injured cyclists in bicycle accident cases in Chicago. With a focus on personal injury law, they help bicycle accident victims understand their legal options and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from their injuries.
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