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Aurora Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Hire an Experienced Aurora Bicycle Accident Law Firm
Aurora bicycle accident lawyers are essential allies for the dozens of Aurora residents injured in bicycle crashes per year. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there were 48 reported bicycle crashes in Aurora in 2023, though this is likely a significant underrepresentation.
If a negligent motorist caused your accident, you may be entitled to seek compensation. Contact our experienced bicycle accident lawyers to learn about your legal options.
Recent Bike Accident Settlements
- $760,000 Settlement – A cyclist was struck from behind while stopped at a traffic light near Eola Road and New York Street. The driver claimed poor lighting contributed to the crash, but our bicycle wreck attorneys successfully secured a substantial settlement for the injured rider.
- $605,000 Bike Accident Lawsuit Settlement – A 72-year-old cyclist was hit by a commercial truck while legally crossing in a marked crosswalk near the Fox Valley Mall. Despite the driver’s attempts to dispute fault, our Aurora bicycle crash lawyers obtained a significant settlement to cover the victim’s medical expenses and ongoing care.
- $510,000 Policy Limit Settlement – A cyclist suffered facial injuries and a mild TBI after being struck by a left-turning car at the intersection of Galena Boulevard and Lake Street. Our personal injury lawyers negotiated a full policy limit settlement to ensure the injured rider received fair compensation.
Our bicycle accident attorneys can assist with case investigation, negotiation, and trial representation so that you can heal in comfort. Contact us today for a free case review.
Laws Bicyclists Must Follow in Aurora
Understanding traffic laws is critical to protecting your rights in an Aurora bicycle accident. The City of Aurora Code of Ordinances includes:
- Cyclists must follow the same traffic laws as cars, including stop signs and traffic signals (§27-264). This also means that they must yield at intersections to the right-hand driver (§625 ILCS 5/11-901).
- Cyclists must yield to pedestrians when approaching a sidewalk and vehicles when entering a roadway(§27-265).
- Anyone over the age of 15 must ride on the road, not the sidewalk (§27-267). In general, they should stay in the bike lane or the rightmost lane unless turning (§625 ILCS 5/11-1505).
- Cyclists must register their bikes with the local police department (§27-276 & §27-277).
While not required by law, wearing a helmet protects you and can improve your chances of recovering compensation in a bicycle accident lawsuit.
As with motor vehicles, the Aurora Police Department is in charge of enforcing bicycle laws and issuing tickets. Failing to follow these traffic laws may impact your ability to file a bicycle crash lawsuit. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can help determine how these laws apply to your injury claim.
What If It’s Partially My Fault?
Illinois follows a comparative fault rule, meaning your ability to receive fair compensation depends on your level of fault. Under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116(c), you can only seek compensation if you were less than 50% responsible, and your damages are reduced by the percentage of fault.
Insurance companies will play games to diminish your compensation, such as lowballing, delaying, or claiming you were to blame because you were wearing dark clothing. Since insurance companies often try to shift blame, working with an Aurora bicycle accident lawyer is crucial to ensuring you recover fair compensation.
Common Causes of Bike Crashes in Aurora, IL
Motor Vehicles
Many bicycle crashes occur when vehicles fail to yield to bicycle riders or engage in distracted driving. Delivery drivers and rideshare drivers may make sudden stops, which can also cause accidents.
Crash hotspots include Galena Boulevard at Lake Street and Farnsworth Avenue at Indian Trail.
Poor Road Conditions
If poor road maintenance (especially in bike lanes) contributed to your accident, the responsible entity may be liable. Aurora experiences significant snowy weather, which can also lead to accidents.
Bicycle Defects
If a defective bike part caused your accident, you may have a product liability case against the manufacturer or retailer.
Aurora Cyclist Accident Statistics
There are 382 bicycle accidents per 10,000 bicycle commuters and 45.8 fatalities per 10,000 commuters—well above the national average. This is despite the fact that only 0.13% of Aurora residents commute by bicycle. While Aurora has done what it can to protect cyclists through better lane markings, accidents still occur.
Common Serious Injuries Sustained By Bicycle Accident Victims
Bicycle accident victims often experience life-changing injuries due to someone else’s negligence. Common injuries suffered by cyclists include the following.
Fractures and Soft Tissue Injuries
A cycling accident can result in broken or fractured bones, especially in the hands, arms, and legs. Victims may also suffer from road rash, which can get infected.
Facial Injuries and Dental Damage
Helmets protect the skull, but bicycle riders often sustain facial injuries, such as broken noses and lost teeth, in bike accidents.
Spinal Cord and Internal Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent disability, including paralysis. They may also suffer from internal bleeding, which can be fatal.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury is a serious head injury that can cause lifelong impairment and ongoing rehabilitation costs.
What Damages Can You Recover?
If you’ve experienced injuries from a bike accident, you can recover the following compensation from insurance companies or the at-fault party:
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral costs for wrongful death
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
Severe injuries, like head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and internal injuries often result in higher settlements.
What to Do After an Accident
Make sure you take the following steps after an accident:
- Contact Police: You will need a police report for your bicycle accident claim.
- Get Witness Information: Ask for the at-fault driver’s contact and insurance information. Ask eyewitnesses for their details.
- Gather Evidence: Take photos and videos of the scene.
- Go to the Hospital: Visit a hospital like Rush Copley Medical Center or Mercy Hospital for a full evaluation.
- Contact an Aurora Bicycle Accident Lawyer: We offer 24/7 free case reviews.
You should also avoid these common mistakes when dealing with insurance:
- Waiting too long to get medical treatment
- Accepting the first offer
- Answering irrelevant questions
- Admitting fault
- Blaming yourself
Allow your Aurora bicycle accident attorney to handle all communications with the insurance agency.
You Have Limited Time to File A Personal Injury Claim
Under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, the statute of limitations for a claim in Illinois is two years from the date of the accident. It’s also possible to file a lawsuit against the city, but in such cases, the statute of limitations is only one year.
Do Bicycle Accident Cases Go to Trial?
Most bicycle accident cases settle out of court. Still, trials occur if you cannot reach a fair settlement with the insurance company, if the negligent motorist is uninsured, or if your claim is denied.
Consult an Aurora Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near You!
Our Aurora personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee for personal injury claims, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your lawsuit.
We are a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association with a 98% success rate. Our experienced attorneys are available 24/7 to discuss your personal injury case. Schedule a free consultation by filling out our contact form or calling (888) 424-5757.
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Hi, I was lucky enough to get Jonathan Rosenthal to represent me and the accident I had.It was very professional and I recommend him highly
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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.