What Are Typical Bicycle Accident Settlements in Illinois?

Average settlement amounts for bicycle accidents are a complicated subject, as each case has unique circumstances that will impact how much compensation you can receive. There is no guaranteed settlement amount for a personal injury claim, but having an experienced attorney on your side can make a significant impact on what financial compensation you receive.

At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, we work with bicycle accident victims who want to take legal action. Whether your case goes to trial or you are interested in negotiating a settlement, our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers have the expertise and skills needed to obtain the most compensation possible.

Average Bicycle Accident Settlement in the United States

There is no average amount for a bicycle crash settlement in the United States, as every case differs. Some instances have insurance policy maximums from the drivers involved, whereas others involve bicycle manufacturers.

A less catastrophic accident could settle for around $10,000, whereas you could see well over $100,000 for more serious injuries. Some examples of bike accident settlements include:

• $10,000,000: A Washington state man was left with spinal cord injuries after colliding with a metal bollard on a trail
• $9,100,000: Jury award for injured cyclist left with a traumatic brain injury
• $4,850,000: Paid by the City of San Diego for a crash caused by uneven pavement
• $1,750,000: A man was hurt by an accident that was caused by cracked pavement due to improper tree maintenance
• $1,600,000: A personal injury claim after two cyclists collided on a trail, claimed from the defendant’s homeowner’s insurance

Average Settlements for Bicycle Accidents in Illinois

Unlike some other states, the Illinois Supreme Court considers pain and suffering damage caps to be unconstitutional. As such, Illinois jury awards are often quite large. Examples include:

• $9,000,000: Award for a man injured after ComEd damaged a bicycle path
• $5,250,000: Wrongful death claim for a Divvy Bike rider killed in an accident
• $1,750,000: A Chicago cyclist was struck by a CTA bus

Chicago Bicycle Crash Settlements from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has a long history of working on bicycle accident lawsuits like yours. Let us review your case to see if you have a viable bicycle accident claim and help you recover compensation.

• $2,250,000: UM settlement for a cycling head injury
• $1,000,000: For a dooring bike accident
• $805,500: A truck’s right turn into a cyclist’s path
• $760,000: Cyclist rear-ended at a traffic light
• $499,000: Maximum insurance policy recovery
• $250,000: Cyclist struck in a hit-and-run

Calculating Settlements for Bicycle Accidents

A fair settlement amount for a bicycle accident claim depends on multiple legal considerations. One of these is Illinois’s modified comparative negligence laws (§735 ILCS 5/2-1116), which means that you can only recover damages if you were no more than 50% responsible.

Injury severity will also impact your potential settlement. If you suffered injuries that mean you can no longer work, then you can seek compensation for future lost wages in addition to medical needs and future treatment expenses. These catastrophic injuries can be difficult to calculate, making a bicycle accident attorney a crucial ally.

You can use our bicycle accident settlement calculator by adding up your total medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. While this will give you a good idea of the usual compensation amount, it is not a guarantee, nor does it consider non-economic damages like emotional distress or pain and suffering. Our law firm can give you a more accurate estimate after a consultation about your legal considerations.

Types of Damages Available to Bicycle Accident Victims

In a bicycle accident case, you can claim several types of damages: economic and non-economic. The types of claims filed will change based on the injuries and costs a bicycle rider suffers. By securing legal representation, you improve your chances of getting a good settlement amount for bicycle accident cases.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are any claims with a fixed amount of money attached. Common examples of this include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses, like dental treatment
• Mental health treatment bills
• Physical therapy costs
• Property damage

When your lawyer files a personal injury claim, they enter a specific amount for each type of damage along with evidence that you needed to pay for those claims. For example, your lawyer can submit a claim for the cost of replacing your bike, which could be the value of a new version of the same bike.

A personal injury lawyer can also consult with medical professionals to assess what kind of future needs you will have, which can be included in the economic damages.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are the costs of your bike accident recovery that do not have fixed costs. Anything where the actual cost is hard to determine is often grouped into this category. Typically, these are related to the social, physical, and emotional costs of the accident rather than things like medical bills or lost income.

Some examples include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship
• Inconvenience

It is especially important to have legal representation so that your lawyer can convincingly argue that you deserve more based on your injuries. For example, if you suffered injuries that left you bedridden for several months, then your pain and suffering damages will be higher.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded in a bicycle accident case when the liable party acted in a way that the judge believes requires additional punishment. The amount of punitive damages is entirely up to the judge, but the idea is to punish the party so they will make different choices in the future.

Wrongful Death Cases

If your loved one dies in a bicycle accident, certain family members may be able to file a lawsuit on their behalf. The spouse, dependent children, or dependent parents of the victim can file a civil lawsuit to recover compensation.

In a wrongful death case, the claims are focused on the final costs of the victim as well as the impact on the remaining family members. For example, the wife of a deceased rider can sue for loss of income or loss of marital benefits to help pay for expenses going forward. Alternatively, they can also sue for funeral costs and other final expenses.

Will I Be Offered a Settlement?

If you file a case with the court, you may be offered a bike accident settlement from an insurance policy. This might be the at-fault driver, a company if the motor vehicle was driven by an employee, or even a municipality.

If you file with the court, it could come from the other party, but you may be offered a settlement from their insurance policy even if you don’t file anything. Insurance agents are always interested in keeping cases out of court whenever possible, as they can avoid higher costs this way.

Before you accept any settlement offers, discuss them with a bicycle accident lawyer. Insurance agents and opposing lawyers try to offer less compensation when offering settlement offers. Your lawyer can ensure you are being offered a good settlement with enough to cover your damages to prevent you from being taken advantage of.

Alternatively, your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance agency and other parties. When you have serious injuries that you are focused on recovering from, having someone on your side to handle the stressful parts of the legal process can be a major benefit. This works even if you are dealing with your own insurance company, which may not act in your best interests when filing an insurance claim.

Again, comparative negligence laws will significantly influence whether you can get compensation and how much you may receive. If you were mostly at fault for the motor vehicle accident, then you’ll receive less. During a free consultation with our firm, we will explore the circumstances and discuss whether you are eligible for compensation based on the specifics of the case.

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Crash

If you have been involved in a bike crash, the first and most important step to take is to seek immediate medical attention. In most cases, this involves calling 9-1-1 to send an ambulance and a police officer to the accident scene. It’s important to do this even if you don’t think you have severe injuries. The police report and medical records generated will be important pieces of evidence for your potential case for compensation in civil court.

If you are safely able to do so, it is a good idea to take photos of your injuries and the accident scene using your smartphone. Document any damage to vehicles and your bike. This can be important later.

After seeking medical care, contact a bicycle accident attorney to explain the legal process. You could be able to file a claim to seek compensation from the at-fault driver for your losses. Depending on the insurance coverage involved, your lawyer can negotiate with the other party’s insurance company to recover damages and file a civil lawsuit in the appropriate court.

Consult Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers!

Bicycle crashes can be devastating for victims and their families. However, you may have legal options to help you recover. You may be able to file a bicycle injury claim and collect compensation to pay for your damages.

That way, things like medical costs, replacing property, and getting the long-term care that you need won’t hurt your finances quite as badly over the long term. To know if you have a viable case or if you are being offered a fair settlement, discuss your case with a bicycle accident lawyer. Contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for a free consultation by filling out our contact form.

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.