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Skokie Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Helping Bike Accident Victims Seek Compensation in Skokie, IL
Skokie bicycle accidents still occur with relative frequency, despite the fact that the city is considered relatively cyclist-friendly. The many active bike routes along its streets do not provide adequate protection against serious harm.
Common bicycle accident injuries are often very severe, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries.
If you’ve suffered serious injuries due to a bicycle crash, you may be eligible for a personal injury claim. Our Skokie bicycle accident attorneys can help you receive maximum compensation, ensuring you can recover in comfort. Our previous settlements include:
- $760,000: Rear-end settlement
- $605,000: Cyclist hit by a commercial truck at an intersection
- $510,000: Policy limit settlement for cyclist who suffered facial injuries
- $350,000: Hit-and-run settlement through cyclist’s insurance
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Skokie
Being one of the closest northern suburbs to downtown Chicago, Skokie sees thousands of commuters, visitors, and cyclists every day. While it does have many bike lanes, this doesn’t always prevent severe injuries or even deaths. Common causes of bike accidents in Skokie include the following.
Dooring
Downtown Skokie is very busy, with ample street parking, which increases risks for those on bikes. Dooring accidents occur when drivers open their car doors into bike lanes, potentially throwing cyclists off their bikes. This can not only cause minor injuries like road rash but even lead to death.
Especially dangerous areas include Skokie Boulevard, Main Street, McCormick Boulevard, and Niles Center Road.
Intersections
Intersections make it challenging for bicycles to share the road safely, even when everyone is following traffic laws. A driver may not notice a cyclist riding in the curb lane or may turn on a green light and hit the bike as it passes through the intersection.
Touhy Avenue is notorious for intersection crashes because it intersects with several other large streets, including Gross Point Road and Niles Center Road. In September 2024, a teenager riding his bike over the I-94 Expressway on Touhy Avenue was struck by a driver around 11 pm. Thankfully, he was taken to the hospital and stabilized.
Limited Bike Paths
While Skokie does have some bike lanes, many of its largest streets do not have protected lanes for cyclists, making it more likely that they will be injured.
Gross Point Road does not have dedicated bike lanes and intersects many major streets, including Skokie Boulevard and Touhy Avenue. Not only is this street popular with cyclists, but it also has some areas with limited visibility.
Tragically, 27-year-old Joey Center died after a bicycle accident on Gross Point Road in July 2024. He was biking home from his job at Jewel-Osco when a driver hit him near Skokie Boulevard. Though he survived the initial crash, he remained in a coma for almost a month before passing away in August 2024.
High Traffic Volume
Dempster Street is a key east-west arterial with high traffic and mixed-road use, which increases the risk for cyclists. Particularly dangerous intersections include Dempster Street at Crawford Avenue and Dempster Street at McCormick Boulevard.
Other areas, like Main Street at Niles Center Road and Howard Street at McCormick Boulevard, are very dangerous for bicyclists due to the many cars speeding along the street. Skokie cyclists frequently complain about McCormick Boulevard because of its poor street design, which places bicycles in a driver’s blind spot and makes it difficult to cross safely.
Speeding
Skokie has many large roads with higher speed limits, including Skokie Boulevard, McCormick Boulevard, and Touhy Avenue. Sadly, drivers often ignore the posted speed limits and go even faster, which can end in tragedy for bicycle accident victims.
According to Skokie bicycle enthusiasts, the intersection of Skokie and McCormick is especially dangerous. Drivers speed through the area without looking for bikes.
Reckless Driving
Distracted driving, driving under the influence, and road rage can all cause bicycle injury cases in Skokie and beyond. Illinois has very strict laws against texting and driving, but many still choose to answer a quick text while driving. Even a second of distraction can cause a serious crash.
Driving under the influence, while not a common issue in Skokie, is still a serious cause for concern. Lastly, road rage may lead to tragic outcomes for cyclists, as they have less protection than drivers.
Commercial Traffic
Oakton Street in downtown Skokie has a large volume of commercial traffic, including people visiting shops and trucks making deliveries. This can lead to serious personal injury cases involving cyclists, such as the case of 37-year-old Carlos Medina of Logan Square.
Medina, a CTA worker, was riding his bike in the 3500 block of Oakton Street when he was struck by a dark-colored vehicle in the center lane. The injured cyclist fell from his bike and was hit again by a vehicle in the curb lane. Sadly, he was pronounced dead upon arriving at the hospital.
Three particularly dangerous intersections include Oakton Street at Skokie Boulevard, Oakton Street at Niles Center Road, and Oakton Street at Lincoln Avenue.
Skokie, IL Bicycle Accident Statistics
In 2023, the Illinois Department of Transportation reported 30 bicycle accidents, including one fatal accident. Of those accidents, 27 people were injured, and two crashes resulted in property damage. Victims ranged in age from 10 to 79. Bike accident stats reveal six were female, and 24 were male.
Twenty of the accidents occurred while crossing the street. Nine of the victims were crossing at an intersection with a light, which underscores the danger of Skokie’s intersections. Thus, they were following the law but were still struck. Another major cause of accidents was entering traffic from a driveway or alley, where visibility is often more limited.
Skokie, Illinois Laws Protecting Bicycle Accident Victims
Illinois Vehicle Code §11-1003.1 states that motor vehicle drivers must exercise extra caution around cyclists to prevent crashes. They must thoroughly check their surroundings, give a bicycle at least three feet of space, and warn bikers before they pass them. Those who injure a cyclist can be charged with a felony.
Skokie Municipal Code §106-38 notes that the city adheres to the Illinois Vehicle Code, including penalties and fines.
What to Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident in Skokie
When a bike accident happens, you must act quickly to protect your legal rights and ensure you can secure fair compensation. Follow these steps as soon as possible.
Prioritize Your Safety – If you’re injured but can still move, get out of the road as soon as possible. Sadly, it is not uncommon for the injured party to be struck a second time by another vehicle.
Call 911 – Describe your location to the dispatcher so they can quickly locate you. Ask for the Skokie Police Department and medical assistance.
Gather Information – If the at-fault party has remained on the scene, get their contact details and insurance information. You should also get contact information for witnesses, as your attorney may ask them to provide their testimony for a personal injury lawsuit.
Document the Scene – Get photos and videos of damage to your bicycle. You should also document your injuries. Keep your helmet, clothing, and damaged bicycle, as this can all be used to prove your claim.
Get Medical Attention – A bicycle accident case can result in catastrophic injuries for cyclists, as they do not have as much protection as a passenger in a car accident. As such, you should go to the hospital immediately and get a full physical exam, even if you don’t feel hurt. Your medical records can also be used to pursue compensation.
Do Not Admit Fault – When speaking to police officers or insurance agents, do not say that you were responsible for the accident or apologize for the crash. This can make it difficult for you to seek compensation, as the insurance company can claim you were at fault.
Contact Bike Accident Attorneys – You should speak to a law firm as soon as possible to explore your legal options and begin the claims process. During your initial consultation, we’ll learn more about the accident, determine what type of case you may have, and then begin evaluating potential damages.
Investigating Your Skokie Bicycle Accident Claim
Our firm has an unwavering commitment to learning the truth about a bicycle accident so that we can pursue full compensation for cyclists. This process includes the following steps.
Reviewing the Skokie Police Department Report – Our accident attorneys will review the police report to identify the liable parties and determine how the crash happened.
Gathering Evidence – Our team can find surveillance footage and other details that better show what happened. For example, we might find witnesses who have dashcam footage that we can use for further context.
Examining State Laws – We will review the Illinois Vehicle Code and relevant case laws, like Boub v. Township of Wayne. This Illinois Supreme Court ruling states that bicyclists are permitted but not intended users of roadways, which may impact your case depending on the defendants.
Identifying and Interviewing Witnesses – We’ll find any witnesses and get their perspective on the accident. Their impartial perspectives can provide great insights into what happened and who may have been responsible.
Analyzing the Accident Scene and Vehicle Damage – Things like tire marks, vehicle positioning, and body shop assessments can determine the angle of the crash and what each party was doing at the time.
Working with Accident Reconstruction Experts – Accident reconstructionists help determine liability and can be used to negotiate a fair settlement.
Consulting with Medical Professionals – Doctors and other professionals can testify about your injuries and estimate future medical expenses, like physical therapy or psychological treatment. This ensures that we can include all of your potential needs in economic damages.
How to Deal with Insurance Companies After a Bike Accident in Skokie
In some cases, you may be able to make a personal injury claim on your insurance policy, even if you were on a bicycle. As such, you should report the accident to your insurance company so they can advise you on whether you are covered.
Illinois requires uninsured motorist coverage of at least $25,000. If the driver did not have coverage but you have the requisite UIM coverage, you may also be able to claim this policy. When you speak to our accident attorneys, we can advise you about how to make a claim against this coverage.
Generally, you will submit a bicycle accident claim to the at-fault driver’s insurance. The insurance agency should provide instructions on how to do so on their website. You will need the driver’s policy number and name. Generally, you’ll also need a police report number and additional evidence, like estimates for the cost of repairing your bicycle.
After you report the accident, allow our law firm to handle all other communication with the insurance agency. We will be able to evaluate your claim to determine how much you may be able to receive and support this sum as evidence. Additionally, we’ll ensure that you do not accidentally harm your case by admitting fault or answering certain questions.
Compensation You Can Recover in a Bicycle Accident Case
For a bike accident, you can recover compensation for both economic and non-economic costs. The amount of compensation you can receive depends on many factors, including how badly you were injured, how much the insurance policy covers, and how much evidence is available to support your claim.
Economic damages are for hard financial losses you incurred because of the bicycle accident. This includes:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Out-of-pocket medical costs
- Future lost income
- Future medical needs
- Burial in the case of wrongful death
- Bike repair or replacement
Non-economic elements are for the physical, emotional, and social implications of the accident, like your physical pain. These include:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Grief for wrongful death
- Inconvenience
Benefits of Hiring a Skokie Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Personal injury claims can be complicated, especially for a bike accident, which makes it crucial that you work with experienced personal injury attorneys. Our accident attorneys will protect your rights throughout the process and help you navigate the legal system, including making insurance claims and filing lawsuits.
We will thoroughly investigate the accident using our many resources, such as accident reconstruction professionals and expert witnesses. This will help us determine your entitlement to compensation in a bike accident claim.
Our team will negotiate with the relevant insurance agency on your behalf, pushing for maximum compensation. Thanks to our years of experience with bicycle accidents, we know how much cases like yours are worth and will refuse to settle for less than what you deserve.
In many cases, we can settle out of court, sparing you the need for a lawsuit. However, we can also help you navigate the court system and file paperwork on your behalf. With our help, you can tell your story before a judge and jury and receive the compensation you deserve.
Our Illinois bicycle accident attorney team works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we earn you financial compensation. This makes it easier than ever to access top-notch legal assistance.
Consult a Skokie Bicycle Accident Attorney Near You!
Bicycle accidents can be a terrifying and painful experience. If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, you deserve fair compensation. Our team of personal injury attorneys has earned millions in compensation for accident victims throughout the northern suburbs and beyond, ensuring that they can recuperate in comfort.
To schedule a free consultation with a Chicago bicycle accident attorney, call us or use our online contact form.
