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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
Taxi Bike Collisions
Helping Victims of Bike Crashes Involving Taxi Vehicles
Our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys can help you seek fair compensation if you’ve been injured in a crash involving a taxi. Taxi-bike crashes can leave injured cyclists facing serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and lost wages.
With a strong history of securing compensation for injured cyclists in Chicago, our team has recovered millions in bicycle crash settlements, including:
- $2,250,000 for a commuter who suffered a head injury
- $1,000,000 for a 26-year-old woman injured in a dooring accident
- $510,000 for a cyclist who suffered facial injuries and a mild traumatic brain injury
Common Types of Injuries in Taxi-Bike Accidents
Collisions between taxis and bikes often result in serious injuries due to the lack of protection bicyclists have compared to motor vehicles. Common injuries include:
- Head injuries – Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can occur even with a helmet.
- Fractures – Broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or collarbone are common in bike crashes.
- Road rash – Severe skin abrasions from sliding on pavement can lead to infections and scarring.
- Spinal injuries – Damage to the neck or back may cause long-term pain or paralysis.
- Internal injuries – Blunt force trauma can lead to internal bleeding or organ damage.
Liability for Accidents Involving Taxi Vehicles and Bicycles
Taxi drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely, but negligence often leads to bicycle accidents. Speeding, distracted driving, failing to yield, illegal U-turns, and dooring crashes—when a driver or passenger opens a car door into a cyclist’s path—are common causes of collisions.
Liability may extend beyond the driver. Taxi companies and medallion owners can be responsible if they fail to vet or train drivers properly. In some cases, the City of Chicago may share liability if poor road design or lack of bike lane maintenance contributed to the accident.
Common Types of Taxi-Bike Accidents
Several types of accidents can occur when taxis and bicycles share the road:
- Dooring accidents – A taxi driver or passenger opens a vehicle door into a bicyclist’s path, causing a collision.
- Right-hook and left-turn accidents – A taxi turns across a bike lane or cuts off a cyclist at an intersection.
- Sideswipe accidents – A taxi veers into a bicyclist while changing lanes or passing too closely.
- Rear-end collisions – A distracted or speeding taxi driver crashes into a bicycle from behind.
- Accidents at taxi stands and drop-off zones – Taxis that stop suddenly in bike lanes or swerve can seriously injure cyclists.
What to Do Immediately After a Bike Collision with a Taxi
Taking the right steps after a bicycle accident can protect your health and legal rights:
- Prioritize safety – Check for injuries and move to a safe location, if possible.
- Call 911 – Report the accident to the police and request medical assistance. A police report can help with your claim.
- Gather information – Get the taxi driver’s name, contact details, medallion number, license plate, and insurance information.
- Document the scene – Take photos of the accident site, your bike, the taxi, and any visible injuries.
- Seek medical attention – Even minor injuries can worsen over time.
- Do not admit fault – Avoid discussing fault with the driver or insurer until you speak with a bicycle accident lawyer.
Investigating Your Taxi-Bicycle Accident Claim
A thorough investigation helps establish liability for accidents involving taxis and bikes and strengthens your claim for compensation.
- Obtaining the police report – The police report provides key details about the collision, including statements from those involved.
- Identifying and interviewing witnesses – Witnesses can provide unbiased accounts of how the accident occurred.
- Securing video footage – Many taxis have dashcams, and nearby businesses may have surveillance footage capturing the bike crash.
- Examining the taxi and the bicycle – Damage to the bike and vehicle can help prove how the collision happened.
Dealing with Insurance Companies and the Taxi Company
Handling insurance companies after a bicycle accident with a taxi driver can be challenging.
- Reporting the accident to your insurance company – Even if the taxi driver is at fault, notifying your insurer can help with medical coverage or uninsured motor vehicle claims.
- Dealing with the taxi company’s insurance adjuster – The insurance company may try to minimize your compensation. Avoid giving recorded statements without legal advice.
- Protecting your rights and avoiding common mistakes – Do not admit fault or accept a quick settlement without understanding your full damages.
- Potential for bad faith claims – If an insurer unfairly denies, delays, or undervalues a valid claim, it may be acting in bad faith, which could result in additional legal action to recover full compensation.
Compensation Awarded for Taxi-Bike Crashes
Injured bicyclists may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages after a bicycle accident involving a taxi.
- Economic damages – Cover financial losses such as medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, future lost earnings, and bicycle repairs or replacements.
- Non-economic damages – Compensation may be available for pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability or disfigurement.
Why You Need a Chicago Taxi-Bike Crash Lawyer
Hiring a bicycle accident lawyer after a crash can significantly impact your ability to recover fair compensation. Taxi companies and their insurers often have legal teams focused on minimizing liability, making it difficult for injured cyclists to handle claims on their own. An attorney understands the complexities of these cases and works to protect your rights.
A lawyer will thoroughly investigate the accident, gathering crucial evidence such as the police report, witness statements, surveillance footage, and vehicle damage analysis. This evidence strengthens your claim and helps establish liability. Insurance companies often try to undervalue claims or pressure victims into low settlements.
An experienced attorney negotiates aggressively with insurers and the taxi company to ensure you receive fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Having legal representation increases your chances of maximizing your recovery and securing the financial support you need after a serious bike crash.
Consult a Chicago Taxi Bicycle Accident Attorney Near You!
If you’ve been injured in a bike crash with a taxi vehicle, you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Our Illinois bicycle crash law firm is dedicated to helping injured cyclists recover the compensation they deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
