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Joliet Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Legal Advocacy for Injured Cyclists in Joliet
Joliet bicycle accident lawyers are crucial for injured cyclists seeking compensation for crashes. This city’s congestion, high speed limits, and distracted drivers put bicyclists in danger of serious injuries each time they share the road with motor vehicles.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm with a 98% success rate in gaining financial compensation for accident victims. We’ll ensure that negligent drivers are held accountable for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages to the fullest extent of Illinois law. Contact us today for a free consultation about your legal rights.
Recent Settlements for Bicycle Accident Victims
- $2,250,000: Policy limit recovery for a bike commuter hit by a car.
- $1,000,000: Dooring accident settlement for a woman who suffered a torn rotator cuff.
- $760,000: Settlement for cyclist rear-ended at a traffic light.
- $350,000: Uninsured motorist insurance recovery for a hit-and-run accident.
- $199,000: Lawsuit for a child hit by a car backing out of a driveway.
Contact an experienced personal injury attorney today to see how much you may recover for a bicycle accident claim.
How Common Are Cycling Accidents in Joliet?
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, 15 Joliet bicycle accidents were reported to police in 2023. While this may seem small, it’s important to note that not all crashes are reported to the police, so this is likely an underrepresentation.
Joliet is a Chicago suburb that is far more prone to cyclist accidents. Approximately 70% of all bike fatalities occur in the Chicagoland area, which is the most densely populated area of Illinois. Additionally, 85% of all fatal crashes occur in urban areas like Joliet.
Joliet presents unique risks to Illinois cyclists. Huge roads like Route 59 are notorious for speeding, especially at its intersections with Caton Farm Road and Larkin Avenue. Jefferson Street and Plainfield Road are also tricky to navigate.
High-traffic areas around places like Harrah’s Joliet Casino and Rialto Square Theatre have a mix of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, which can lead to crashes. Dooring is also a concern anywhere with street parking, like Cass Street.
Though cycle accidents are less common than car crashes, they have a disproportionately high number of serious injuries and fatalities. Nationwide, approximately 2% of all motor vehicle accident fatalities are cyclists. This is due to the fact that cyclists are vulnerable road users who do not have the same protections as car occupants.
Sadly, preventable deaths from bicycle accidents have risen by 53% in the last ten years nationwide.
Bike Laws and Safety Regulations in Joliet & Illinois
It’s crucial to understand your rights and obligations as a bicyclist because this can impact whether you can secure fair compensation.
Joliet has adopted the Illinois Vehicle Code as its standard (§19-1), which includes its bicycle regulations. Some important considerations include the following.
- Cyclists have the same rights and obligations as motor vehicle drivers (§625 ILCS 5/). This includes things like coming to a complete stop at stop signs, yielding to oncoming traffic, and signaling your intent to turn.
- You should not ride a bicycle on the sidewalk anywhere that has signs prohibiting it (§625 ILCS 5/11-1512). You must yield to pedestrians if riding on the sidewalk.
- You must ride in the same direction as motor traffic (§625 ILCS 5/11-1505).
- When riding at night, you must have a white light that can be seen for up to 500 feet and a red rear reflector visible for up to 600 feet (§625 ILCS 5/11-1507).
- Helmets are not legally required, but the Illinois Secretary of State strongly recommends their use.
Illinois uses modified comparative negligence for personal injury lawsuits (§735 ILCS 5/2-1116), meaning that you can recover damages as long as your legal liability is not more than 50% of total liability.
However, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of blame. Working with experienced attorneys ensures that you are not blamed more for the accident and can recover maximum compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Joliet Bicycle Crash Cases
The Illinois statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years (§735 ILCS 5/13-202), while for property damage, it is five years (§735 ILCS 5/13-205). If the victim is a child, the statute of limitations may be tolled or paused until the victim becomes an adult, in which case they have two years to file (§735 ILCS 5/13-211).
However, this is different if you want to sue the City of Joliet. Because of the Tort Immunity Act, you must bring suit against a municipal agency within one year (§745 ILCS 10/8-101). The only exception is for tort actions brought by minors.
Bertolis v. Community Unit School District No. 7 found that while the one-year deadline applies to adults, minors still have two years after turning 18 to bring a lawsuit.
Leading Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Joliet
Bicycle accidents can lead to severe injuries, but this is influenced by how the crash occurred. Common causes of bicycle accidents include the following.
- Driver Negligence: Drivers may fail to yield, run red lights, or engage in distracted driving.
- Dooring: These occur when a vehicle occupant opens a parked car door into a bike’s path.
- Roadway Hazards: Potholes, debris, snow, and oil slicks can all cause crashes.
- Poor Infrastructure: Protected bike lanes are one of the most vital ways to protect cyclists, but Joliet does not provide these on all its streets.
- Pedestrians: This often happens on shared-use trails and sidewalks. A pedestrian may cross into a cyclist’s path without giving them enough time to stop.
Joliet is unfortunately filled with areas that are highly prone to bicycle accidents. High-risk areas include:
- Jefferson Street and Raynor Avenue
- Hickory Street and Western Avenue
- Route 59 and Theodore Street
- Crider Lane and Caton Farm Road
- Caton Farm Road and Route 59
Common Injuries Sustained in Joliet Bike Accidents
Cyclists may suffer multiple injuries that require long-term medical care. Common injuries in cycling accidents include the following.
- Head and Brain Trauma: Concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and skull fractures are common, especially if the cyclist does not wear a helmet.
- Bone Fractures and Dislocations: Commonly broken bones include arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones.
- Spinal Cord Injuries and Nerve Damage: Cyclists may suffer from paralysis or ruptured discs that require long-term medical treatment.
- Soft Tissue Damage: Road rash, bruises, and muscle tears can occur from bicycle accidents.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding or organ damage.
Determining Liability in a Joliet Bike Collision Case
Liability is determined by negligence, which has four parts: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Duty of care means that the at-fault party had a responsibility to act safely. This could be things like manufacturing safe products, maintaining roads, or not driving under the influence.
Breach of duty is when the negligent person or organization fails to uphold their duty of care. Causation means that their negligent behavior was primarily responsible for the accident.
Lastly, damages are about the losses you incurred as a result of the accident, such as lost income or medical expenses.
A variety of parties could be held liable depending on the contributing factors to the accident. This includes:
- Negligent Drivers: Those who speed, drive recklessly, or do not yield to cyclists can be considered primarily responsible.
- Municipalities and Government Agencies: If poorly maintained roads, inadequate signage, or missing bike lanes contribute to the bicycle accident, you could hold the City of Joliet or a certain department accountable.
- Bicycle or Vehicle Manufacturers: Things like faulty brakes, defective tires, or slipping chains can cause bicycle accidents. For cars, issues like faulty steering systems could lead to a wreck.
Types of Compensation Available for Joliet Bicycle Accident Victims
There is no specific settlement amount for a bicycle accident, as it depends on a number of factors. We will gather evidence to support your claim, such as accident reports, medical records, and surveillance footage of the accident scene.
We can also work with professionals like accident reconstruction experts to determine if factors like reckless driving contributed to the accident.
You may receive both economic and non-economic damages from your settlement. Working with a bicycle accident attorney ensures you get the maximum possible amount available through insurance.
Economic Damages
These cover hard financial losses, such as:
- Medical expenses, including hospital visits, surgeries, and rehab costs
- Future medical bills
- Lost wages and future loss of earning capacity
- Bicycle repair or replacement costs
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages consider how the accident changed your life, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Physical and emotional distress.
- Loss of enjoyment of cycling and other activities.
Wrongful Death Compensation
Families of fatal bicycle accident victims can receive additional compensation from a personal injury claim, including:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of financial support from the deceased
- Loss of companionship and guidance
What Steps Should You Take After a Cycling Crash in Joliet?
It’s crucial that you act quickly after an accident to ensure that your legal rights are protected. Follow these steps as soon as possible.
Report the Incident: Call 911 and tell the dispatcher your location, such as by Rialto Square Theatre. Stay at the accident scene and speak to the police when they arrive. Police reports are essential evidence for your personal injury claim, so be sure to get the report number and the responding officer’s contact details.
Document the Scene: Take photos, obtain witness statements, and note road conditions.
Gather Contact Information: If the negligent motorist stayed at the scene, get their name, insurance policy number, and contact details. Your attorney can then contact them later. You should also get details for any eyewitnesses.
Seek Medical Attention: Some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Additionally, having medical records from right after the accident helps to support your insurance claim. You should always ask to go to the closest hospital, such as Ascension St. Joseph or Silver Cross Hospital.
Be Cautious When Dealing with Insurance Companies: Avoid giving recorded statements without legal counsel.
Preserve Evidence: Do not have your bicycle repaired or replaced until your attorney gives you approval.
Consult a Joliet Bicycle Accident Lawyer: A legal expert can help protect your rights and maximize your claim.
Do Joliet Bicycle Accident Cases Go to Trial?
Most Joliet bicycle accident cases settle out of court, as this is faster and cheaper than taking it to trial. However, your attorney may file a lawsuit if the insurance company denies your claim or refuses to provide fair compensation.
It also may be necessary to go to trial if liability is difficult to determine, such as if a combination of driver error and poor road maintenance caused the bicycle accident. You and your attorney will work together to determine whether to accept a settlement out of court or pursue a lawsuit.
Our legal team prepares every case as if we are going to trial, as this ensures that we will have everything we need to file a lawsuit as quickly as possible.
Consult a Joliet Bicycle Injury Lawyer Near You!
Even when following all bicycle safety tips, accidents still happen with disturbing regularity in Joliet, IL. Our legal team is here 24/7 to offer you high-quality legal representation, ensuring you have the best chance at maximum compensation.
Our Joliet personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
To schedule your free consultation with a highly accomplished Joliet bicycle accident lawyer, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.
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I was involved in an accident some months ago, and Mr. Rosenfeld and his team made sure I got a good settlement. As opposed to previous experiences I’ve had with other firms, Rosenfeld showed true dedication and made sure all of my questions were answered. Highly recommended and will go to them first for any future representation.
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All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.