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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
Right Hook Bicycle Accidents
Financial Compensation for Chicago Cyclists Injured by Vehicles Making a Right Turn
Our Chicago right hook bicycle accident attorneys know the serious dangers cyclists face when drivers make abrupt right turns without checking their surroundings. Our bike crash attorneys in Chicago advocate for injured bicyclists, helping them secure compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
Here are a few of our notable settlements for injured cyclists:
- $805,500 – A truck veered into a designated bike lane while turning right, striking our client and causing severe injuries, including a compound clavicle fracture and rotator cuff damage.
- $1,000,000 – A 26-year-old cyclist sustained a torn rotator cuff when a driver carelessly opened a car door into her path, causing a collision. The settlement covered her medical costs and rehabilitation.
- $2,250,000 – A commuter suffered a head injury after being hit while riding to work. Her uninsured motorist policy provided full compensation for her damages.
What is a Right-Hook Accident?
A right-hook accident occurs when a car turns right before a straight bike. The car blocks the bike, making it difficult for the bicyclist to avoid hitting or getting hit by the car, regardless of the presence of bike lanes.
Statistics of Right-Hook Accidents in Illinois
Bicyclists are particularly vulnerable to right-side bike accidents, as the car’s right-hand side is the second most common point of impact for bike accidents involving a motorized vehicle.
Per bicycle accident statistics, in 2021 alone, 52 bicyclists were killed due to a right-hook accident. Nearly six percent of all fatal bike accidents occurred due to these crashes. Buses and large trucks are the most common type of vehicle involved in hook crashes on the right-hand side.
Illinois Bicycle Law and Right-Hook Accidents
In Illinois, a few traffic laws address cyclists and right-hand turns. Illinois drivers must yield to cyclists before turning right to avoid accidents (625 ILCS 5/). The Municipal Code of Chicago (9-16-020) states:
“When a motor vehicle and a bicycle are traveling in the same direction on any highway, street, or road, the operator of the motor vehicle overtaking the bicycle traveling on the right-hand side of the roadway shall not turn to the right in front of the bicycle at that intersection or any alley or driveway until the vehicle has overtaken and is safely clear of the bicycle.”
Illinois drivers must signal their intention to turn or change lanes using a turn signal at least one hundred feet before turning.
By Illinois law, bicyclists must always use bike lanes when applicable and make right-hand turns from the right lane, yielding to any pedestrians. Bicyclists are encouraged to drive “as far right as practicable” in many states, including Illinois, which can often be left up to interpretation. Attempts to stay as far right as possible can leave cyclists vulnerable to car accidents.
Common Causes of Right-Hook Accidents Involving Bikes
There are several common contributors to bicycle accidents involving right-turning vehicles:
- Distracted or inattentive driving, such as texting or failure to check surroundings
- Not checking blind spots when driving
- Assuming a bicyclist is too far away to hit
- Making sharp or fast turns
- Drivers assuming bikes will stop
- Not paying attention to bike lanes, bike boxes, or other bike traffic infrastructure.
What to Do Immediately After a Right-Hook Bicycle Accident
If you or a loved one is involved in a right-hand side accident, you must remain calm and seek help immediately.
- Get to Safety: If you can, move directly out of harm’s way in the street or an otherwise vulnerable location. Assess your injuries to the best of your ability before medical help arrives.
- Report the Accident: You should establish a record of the accident with law enforcement. Call the police and request medical assistance if necessary.
- Gather Information: If you can, obtain the driver’s details, including their insurance information, car information, their name, and contact details. Obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses, if applicable.
- Document the Scene: Take photos and videos of the car, your bike, and any injuries as much as possible. The more evidence, the better for insurance claims and legal purposes.
- Seek Medical Attention: Many serious health conditions, like concussions, may not feel bad at first. Visit a doctor, hospital, or urgent care clinic even if you don’t feel you have severe injuries.
- Don’t Admit Fault: Until you receive legal assistance, you do not want to admit fault regardless of what has occurred during the accident. Fault can be difficult to determine, even in a court of law.
Investigation Process for Right-Hook Bicycle Accidents
Right-hand side bike crashes can cause devastating injury and financial losses. Obtaining an attorney to help represent you and investigate the collision is important to establish liability and gather evidence. An investigation will typically involve several common processes.
- Obtaining a Police Report: The police report provides contact information and accident descriptions according to police officers at the scene. An attorney can get this report from the police department to use as evidence.
- Interviewing Witnesses: Bicycle crashes may have witnesses who saw the accident occur. Law enforcement will interview these witnesses to receive their points of view on what transpired.
- Analyzing the Scene: Reviewing photos and videos of the accident scene and vehicular damage can reveal much about liability and what occurred. Law enforcement will study the scene and follow-up photos to create an accurate picture and timeline.
- Working With Accident Reconstruction Experts: Accident reconstruction experts can use evidence and photos of the crime scene to recreate what likely occurred, which can be useful in liability cases.
How to Prove Fault in a Right-Hook Accident
Judges and attorneys use Illinois state laws to prove negligence in bike accidents involving the driver’s right-hand side. A driver can be found negligent when they fail to give bicycles the right of way or check for blind spots. The location of the accident and damage can also be used as evidence.
Illinois utilizes a modified comparative negligence rule to determine liability in an accident, meaning you are eligible to recover compensation if you are proven to be less than 50% liable for the accident. Attorneys will work hard to establish liability in court; the lower the liability, the more you can recover.
Damages You Can Claim for Right-Hook Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can cause severe medical, legal, and financial damage. A civil lawsuit can help recover these damages through financial compensation.
Economic Damages
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Legal fees
- Transportation costs
- Funeral expenses
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of relationships or companionships
- Disability
- Humiliation
- Emotional distress
How a Chicago Right-Hook Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
Bicycle accidents are devastating, but liability can be challenging to prove in court without legal expertise. Legal representation can ensure you’re meeting court deadlines and filing insurance paperwork correctly.
Attorneys are well-practiced in liability cases and can help do all possible to maximize compensation. They’ll even help you negotiate with insurance in case of denied or reduced claims. They will go to work for you while you focus on recovery.
Consult a Chicago Right-Hook Bicycle Accident Attorney Near You!
Our Illinois bicycle accident lawyer team is highly experienced in proving liability in bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles, with thousands of clients represented. With a high track record of success in even the trickiest cases, we know what it takes to help our clients recover the financial compensation they need.
