Bicycle Accident Lawyer, Decatur Il

With a Decatur bicycle accident lawyer in IL, cyclists can receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries. This Central Illinois town may be a little safer than big cities like Chicago and Rockford, but this does not mean that crashes don’t occur, especially in more rural areas outside of town.

If you’ve been hurt in a bike crash, our bicycle accident attorneys will help you get justice. We will aggressively negotiate with insurance companies to ensure you receive maximum compensation from the responsible party. Contact us today for a free case review.

Recent Decatur Bike Accident Settlements

• $2,250,000: Policy limit from the victim’s uninsured motorist policy.
• $760,000: Settlement for a bicyclist who was rear-ended at a traffic light.
• $510,000: Settlement for an individual who suffered facial damage and a mild traumatic brain injury due to a left-hook accident.

Bicycle Laws in Decatur & Illinois

According to §34-12 of the Decatur Municipal Code, bicyclists are subject to the same rules and obligations as motor vehicle drivers. This means you must follow all traffic laws, yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, and signal before turning.

In general, Decatur follows the same guidelines as the Illinois Vehicle Code (§625 ILCS 5/), which includes these regulations:

• You must ride in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic (§625 ILCS 5/11-1505).
• You cannot ride on the sidewalk anywhere that prohibits it and must yield to pedestrians (§625 ILCS 5/11-1512).
• If riding at night, you must have side reflectors, a rear reflector, and a front white light (§625 ILCS 5/11-1507).

While cyclists are not required to wear a helmet, it is an important safety measure, and it can also impact your compensation.

Illinois uses modified comparative negligence (§735 ILCS 5/2-1116), meaning that you can only sue if you are not more than 50% responsible and will get less compensation based on your level of responsibility. If you are in an accident without wearing a helmet, you may receive less because you didn’t take care to protect yourself.

Cycling Risks and Legal Help in Decatur, IL

Decatur’s streets are quite busy, as it is home to around 68,700 people. Despite active advocacy from the Decatur Bicycling Club, Macon County does not have significant bicycle infrastructure, though it does have the Stevens Creek Bikeway.

A lack of protected bike lanes and a strong cycling culture mean that cyclists are at risk of motor vehicle accidents, especially in high-traffic areas like I-72 and US 51. Distracted driving and poor road maintenance can also cause bike accidents.

If you’ve been hurt in a bike crash, our personal injury attorneys are here to help. We can ensure you recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and emotional distress so that you can heal in comfort. Contact us today for a free consultation about your options.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Decatur?

There are about 80 million cyclists in the United States or around 23% of Americans. In contrast, about 91% of Americans own a car. This mismatch makes it even more surprising that 2.6% of all vehicular fatalities are bicyclists, especially considering that even fewer cyclists ride regularly.

In 2022, 2,548 pedal cyclist accidents were reported to the Illinois Department of Transportation statewide. However, bike collisions are significantly underreported, so the true number is likely far higher. Only 17 bike crashes were reported to Decatur police in 2023, including one fatal accident.

Decatur has unique risks for cyclists. High-traffic areas like Eldorado Street, Pershing Road, and North Main Street experience frequent bicycle collisions, especially because the city has very limited bike lanes.

Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims in Decatur

Bike accident claims for bodily injury must be filed within two years of the accident (§735 ILCS 5/13-202). Meanwhile, property damage claims have a five-year filing deadline (§735 ILCS 5/13-205).

Claims against government entities usually have shorter deadlines, but there are some exceptions, like for minors. Bertolis v. Community Unit School District No. 7 determined that a minor who files a claim against a government entity when they turn 18 has two years to file, similar to the standard statute of limitations.

Additionally, the bike accident statute of limitations can be paused for minors until they turn 18. For disabled individuals, it is paused until they are no longer disabled.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Decatur

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to collisions with other vehicles because bicycles offer little personal protection, are less stable than a car, and have a smaller profile. Some common causes of bike accidents in Decatur include the following.

• Motorist Collisions: Drivers may fail to yield, open car doors into bike lanes, or speed down the street.
• Intersection Crashes: Motorists may not correctly yield to cyclists at intersections or may not notice them before turning into their path of travel.
• Reckless Driving: Distracted or intoxicated drivers do not have a fast enough reaction time to keep bicyclists safe.
• Blind Spots: Bicyclists must use extra caution when turning onto the street from alleys or passing between parked cars, as it’s more difficult for motorists to see them.
• Commercial Vehicles: Semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and buses are very heavy and have large blind spots. They also take much longer to stop, which can cause rear-ending accidents.
• Road Hazards: Potholes, road debris, sewer grates, and limited bike infrastructure put cyclists at risk.
• Pedestrians and Bike Paths: Trails like Rock Springs Conservation Area are mixed-use, so cyclists may be hit by a pedestrian that crosses their path.
• Weather: Decatur often has severe wind storms, heavy rainstorms, and dangerous winter weather, all of which put cyclists at risk.

Typical Injuries in Decatur Bicycle Accidents

Bike accidents can result in long recovery times, permanent disability, or even death. Some typical injuries seen in bike collisions include the following.

• Facial Injuries: Eye injuries, broken teeth, or facial disfigurement may occur when the cyclist falls.
• Head Injuries: Concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries are more likely if the cyclist does not wear a helmet.
• Broken Bones and Dislocations: Common broken bones are the arms, legs, wrists, ankles, clavicles, and ribs.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: A cyclist may suffer from paralysis, chronic back pain, or nerve damage.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Road rash, bruises, and scrapes are common. However, bike accidents can also result in muscle tears or ligament damage.
• Internal Injuries: High-speed collisions may result in internal bleeding.

Liability in a Decatur Cyclist Injury Case

Our attorneys will seek to hold any potentially liable party accountable after a thorough investigation into the accident’s causes. Commonly liable parties include the following.

• Negligent Motorists: Drivers who fail to yield, speed, or drive distracted may be responsible for your accident.
• Businesses: If you are hit by someone driving a company car, vicarious liability means the company can also be liable.
• City & Local Government: Poorly maintained roads or inadequate cycling infrastructure can lead to crashes. While it’s more difficult to sue a municipality, our attorneys will fight hard to get you compensation.
• Bicycle Manufacturers: Defective bike components leading to failure or crashes may make you eligible for a product liability lawsuit.

Types of Compensation Available for Injured Cyclists in Decatur

We will pursue compensation through the liable party’s insurance company. If this is a hit-and-run bike accident or the negligent motorist does not have insurance, we can also make a claim through your insurance company.

Every case is different, and while typical bike accident settlements can help you get an estimate of what you may receive, this may not accurately reflect what you are eligible for.

Our attorneys will use the information you provide, such as medical records and police reports, to create a demand letter for the insurance company. Damages are separated into economic and non-economic damages, which include the following categories.

Economic Damages

These are for your hard financial losses due to the accident, and they include:

• Medical costs
• Future medical bills
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Lost wages
• Future lost income
• Property damage

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate you for the pain and stress that an accident causes. They can include the following damages:

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

Wrongful Death Compensation

If the cyclist has passed away from their injuries, their next of kin may be eligible for a wrongful death claim. These claims can cover expenses before the victim’s death, as well as funeral and burial expenses.

Additionally, families can be compensated for loss of financial support and grief. In a court case, you may sometimes be eligible for punitive damages, which are meant to punish a negligent person.

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Decatur, IL

You must act quickly after an accident to ensure that you are safe and can take legal action. Follow these steps as soon as possible.

• Call 911: Report the accident to the police. Give the dispatcher your exact location, such as by Scovill Zoo or the Children’s Museum of Illinois. Ask that police and an ambulance be called for you.
• Gather Evidence: Take photos and videos of the scene. Ask witnesses for their contact information.
• Get the Negligent Motorist’s Details: If the driver remained on the scene, ask them for their contact details, insurance information, and vehicle information. If they left the scene, then tell the police officer what you remember of the vehicle and the driver.
• Seek Medical Attention: Go to Decatur Memorial Hospital or HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital as soon as possible. You may not realize that you’re seriously injured because of shock.
• Do Not Speak to Insurance Adjusters: The insurance agent will use anything you say against you to devalue your claim. Allow your attorney to handle all communications with insurance.
• Speak to an Experienced Accident Attorney: Call us as soon as possible for a free case review.

Will My Bicycle Accident Case Go to Trial?

In most cases, you will settle out-of-court with the insurance agency. This process can take anywhere from a few weeks to over a year, depending on the complexity of the case and how willing the insurance agency is to settle with you. However, it is also faster and cheaper than going to trial.

Sometimes, the insurance company will deny liability or refuse to provide a fair settlement. In other cases, the victim suffered complex injuries or passed away, making a legal trial a better way to fully determine what compensation they should receive. In this case, we will prepare you for the trial and represent you in court.

We are always prepared to aggressively negotiate with insurance, and we prepare every case as if we are going to trial. This gives you the best possible chance at compensation.

Consult a Decatur Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near You!

Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing unless we secure compensation for you. We are available 24/7 and provide personalized service to every client. To schedule a free legal consultation with our Decatur personal injury lawyers, call (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.

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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.