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Naperville Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Helping Naperville, IL, Cyclists Recover Compensation in Bicycle Accident Cases
Naperville bicycle accident lawyer assistance can be crucial after a bike crash. A bicycle accident can cause devastating injuries, especially accidents involving motor vehicles.
Our Naperville bicycle accident attorneys assist injured cyclists in recovering compensation, ensuring that their medical treatment expenses and lost wages are covered in a fair settlement.
Settlements we’ve secured include:
- $1,000,000 – Dooring accident resulting in a torn rotator cuff
- $760,000 – Rear-end accident at a traffic light
- $510,000 – Crash resulting in traumatic brain injury
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Naperville
Naperville is a bustling suburban city of over 150,000 people, and it has been growing steadily over the years. Though there were only 28 accidents reported to police in 2023, this doesn’t mean that the city’s streets are perfectly safe for cyclists. Some of the most common causes of bike crashes include the following.
High Traffic Volume
Downtown streets like Washington Street, Main Street, Aurora Avenue, and Jefferson Avenue have a high volume of pedestrian, bicyclist, and motor vehicle traffic, especially near the Riverwalk and local shopping districts. This significantly increases the risk of bike and pedestrian accidents.
Complex Intersections
Ogden Avenue is one of the largest streets in Naperville, and it has confusing intersections with other major streets like Route 59. Drivers complain that there isn’t enough time to get through the intersection before a red light, which can lead to tragic collisions with cyclists.
In September 2024, a fatal bicycle accident occurred at West Ogden Avenue and Royal Saint George Drive when a Jeep Wrangler hit a cyclist passing through the intersection. Accident reconstruction experts found that the Jeep was turning left on a solid green, obeying traffic laws, when the accident occurred.
Commercial Traffic
Route 59 is notorious for accidents because it is one of the major commercial avenues through the suburbs. Thousands of large trucks pass by it every day.
Two of its most dangerous intersections are Ogden Avenue and 95th Street, both of which have high traffic volumes. When bike accidents occur here, they may be fatal due to the high speed limits and potential for pileups.
Reckless Driving
A driver’s negligence can cause serious injuries or even death for a bicyclist. In 2023, a Woodridge man killed a Naperville cyclist while driving drunk along Green Trails Drive, a quiet residential area.
Prior to the accident, neighbors had reported him acting erratically before getting into his Kia and driving away. While driving westbound, he veered into the eastbound lane and struck the cyclist, then drove off even after seeing the cyclist launch over his car hood. Police reports showed that the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was over three times the legal limit.
Speeding
75th Street and its surrounding arterials, including Washington Street, Naper Boulevard, and Rickert Drive, are notorious for high-speed accidents. In a bicycle accident case, this can lead to catastrophic injuries, as cyclists have far less protection than those in a vehicle.
Distracted Driving
Illinois has strict laws on texting and driving (§625 ILCS 5/12-610.2). However, this does not stop many people from continuing to drive while distracted.
Dooring
Sch. VIIA of the Naperville Municipal Code notes that most streets in the area allow 4-hour parking between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. While this is convenient for drivers, it can also result in many injured bicyclists if drivers fail to check their surroundings.
Dooring occurs when a driver opens their door into the path of a cyclist. This is especially common in downtown Naperville due to abundant street parking. Dangerous areas include Washington Street at Aurora Avenue, Washington Street at Jefferson Avenue, and Aurora Avenue at Main Street.
This can also lead to rear-end accidents if the cyclist flies off their bike and into the path of oncoming traffic.
Limited Bike Infrastructure
Naperville has a robust bike trail system, but commuter streets have limited bike lanes. This means that cyclists attempting to get to work or school may suffer severe injuries when merging into traffic or sharing the road with motorists.
According to People Powered Movement, a bicyclist advocacy organization, Washington Street is the most dangerous street in Naperville for bicyclists. There have been 18 bicycle accidents on this street alone. Napier Boulevard and 95th Street, which are also heavily trafficked areas, were tied with seven accidents each.
Transition Areas Between Downtown and Residential Areas
Naperville has both a distinct downtown and residential zones, which can lead to more bicycle accidents. Children riding their bikes or those heading home after work may be more vulnerable to crashes as drivers may speed through residential areas.
Two high-traffic areas that are particularly dangerous for cyclists include Naperville-Plainfield Road at 75th Street and Diehl Road at Raymond Drive, both of which are at the junction between residential and downtown zones.
Naperville, IL Bicycle Accident Statistics
In 2023, 28 Naperville bicycle accidents were reported to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Of these, 25 resulted in injury, and three resulted in only property damage. Only three of these caused catastrophic injuries, while 18 caused moderate to severe injuries.
Bike accident statistics reveal victim ages ranged from 10 to 84. Most of the victims were male, with only five female victims. Of all crash types, the most common type occurred when the cyclist was moving with the flow of traffic, which occurred in four of the bicycle accidents. Thankfully, no cyclists were intoxicated, which leads to more severe injuries.
Naperville, Illinois Laws Protecting Bicycle Accident Victims
Section 11-1003.1 of the Illinois Vehicle Code requires motorists to exercise due care around bicyclists to avoid injury. Drivers have significant legal liability around keeping cyclists safe and can be charged with a Class C felony for wrongful death or serious personal injury in a bicycle accident.
Some specific provisions include providing at least three feet of space between a car and a bicycle at all times and warning cyclists with a horn when attempting to pass them. Drivers can also pass a cyclist on the left in a no-pass zone if this would protect everyone involved.
What to Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident in Naperville
A bicycle accident is a terrifying experience for every party involved, but especially the cyclist. You must act quickly to protect yourself and your legal rights after an accident, including calling the police and consulting with a personal injury lawyer. Follow these steps as soon as possible after a crash.
Prioritize Your Safety
Whenever possible, get to a safe place out of the way of traffic. As you may have internal injuries or broken bones, try to move as little as possible in case you’re more injured than you realize. Stay at the scene until help arrives.
Call 911
When you call 911, immediately provide your specific location, such as Route 59 and Ogden Avenue. Explain that you were in a bike accident and ask them to send police and an ambulance. Follow any first aid instructions they give you over the phone.
Gather Information
If the at-fault driver stops, ask for their contact information, insurance policy number, and vehicle make and model. This will help your Naperville bicycle accident attorney follow up with the driver and start the claims process.
Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for the driver to flee the accident scene. If this occurs, write down anything you remember of the vehicle. You should also ask any eyewitnesses for their contact information so your attorney can get their testimony for a personal injury claim.
Document the Scene
You can begin to gather evidence as soon as the accident occurs by taking photos and videos of the scene. Document your injuries, any damage to surrounding property, and damage to your bicycle. You will also want to keep your helmet, clothing, and anything else you had with you at the accident.
Seek Medical Attention
You must get medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if you are not in physical pain immediately after the crash, you may have sustained injuries that aren’t clear at first glance. Additionally, an experienced attorney can use these medical records to recover damages for your injuries, as they help to connect your pain to the crash.
Do Not Admit Fault
Do not speak to third parties about your accident without an experienced personal injury attorney present. Anything you say may influence your bicycle accident claim value, especially if you apologize or say you were responsible. Allow your legal team to determine fault for you.
Contact a Naperville Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Legal representation can make a significant difference in whether or not you receive fair compensation for a personal injury case. Call an accomplished bicycle accident lawyer who can guide you through the legal process and help you seek compensation.
Investigating Your Naperville Bicycle Accident
A Naperville bicycle accident lawyer from our personal injury law firm will thoroughly investigate your case to ensure that you receive financial compensation. This process includes the following:
- Reviewing the Naperville Police Department accident report
- Identifying and interviewing witnesses
- Using medical bills and reports to evaluate the case
- Analyzing the scene and physical evidence, like vehicle damage
- Reconstructing the accident if necessary.
How to Deal with Insurance Companies After a Naperville Bicycle Accident
Even if you have devastating bicycle accident injuries, insurance companies do not want to cover your medical costs and will do everything possible to reduce the compensation you can receive. This includes things like stalling the case, lowballing you, or denying that your injuries are related to the bicycle accident case.
You should let your Naperville bicycle accident lawyer handle all communications with insurance agencies on your behalf. They can assist you in reporting the accident to your insurance agency as well as that of the at-fault driver, including determining whether you’re covered under uninsured motorist coverage.
In Galarza v. Direct Auto Ins. Co., the courts established that bicyclists can be covered by an uninsured motorist policy, making it easier to obtain compensation.
Personal injury attorneys will negotiate with the relevant agency to recover compensation based on how much your injuries are worth, using things like injury multipliers and estimations of future medical needs. If necessary, they can also file a lawsuit on your behalf.
Potential Compensation for Your Bicycle Accident Injuries
An experienced attorney can recover numerous types of damages for a bike accident, including both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover financial losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Future medical expenses
- Out-of-pocket expenses like physical therapy
- Funeral costs for wrongful death
- Property damage
Non-economic damages include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Inconvenience
- Loss of companionship
- Greif for fatal accidents
Benefits of Hiring a Naperville Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Working with an attorney on a personal injury claim ensures you have the best possible chance of maximum compensation from the insurance company. An experienced law firm will protect your rights, guide you through the legal system, and speak to third parties on your behalf so you can recover in comfort.
Our Illinois bike accident attorneys will thoroughly investigate all facets of the accident and review the evidence to identify who should be held liable. We’ll examine medical records and speak to medical experts who can provide us with a fair assessment of your future needs, ensuring that these are included in your settlement.
Next, we will negotiate with the relevant insurance company on your behalf. This includes evaluating your personal injury claim to determine how much you deserve, submitting a demand letter, and assessing potential settlement options. If necessary, we will also file a lawsuit to recover compensation from a court of law.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we earn you compensation. This way, you don’t need to worry about out-of-pocket expenses and can instead focus on healing.
Consult a Naperville Bicycle Accident Attorney Near You!
Injured bicyclists deserve justice, and our Chicago-based bicycle accident lawyers can help. Call or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your personal injury claim.
