Each year, approximately 30 bicyclists are killed in bicycle accidents in Illinois. The most disturbing statistic of all is that more than half of bicycle fatalities are due to accidents involving children. Under Illinois law, the family of a deceased bicyclist can pursue a wrongful death case against the at fault party to compensate them for their loss.
Benefits for the family of a deceased cyclist
Wrongful death is a legal term used to define an event in which someone dies as a result of either a willful act, willful failure to act to prevent the death or acts of negligence. Negligent acts are mainly defined as inaction on part of someone to prevent an accident or act quickly enough in response to an event that causes a person harm. When these acts result in the death of another person, the family of the deceased has the right to sue for wrongful death.
Legal options for families who have suffered a loss
Chicago bike injury lawyers with experience litigating wrongful death cases can help explain which family members are entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim and what such damages may be reasonably sought under the law. These statutes can be fairly complex, so it is best to discuss the details of the case with a Chicago Bike Injury Lawyer in order to determine what your legal rights are in your particular circumstance.
Additional Resources:
- http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811624.pdf
- http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/almanac-safety.html
- http://streetsblog.net/2011/02/15/bikingbis-biking-fatalities-state-by-state-4/
- http://www.hg.org/wrongful-death.html