Naperville Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Naperville bicycle accident lawyers are crucial allies for your personal injury case. While Naperville has over 70 miles of bike lanes and trails, this does not always mean that cyclists are safe from accidents involving motor vehicles.

A bicycle accident case can result in severe injuries, including spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, bone fractures, and even death. As such, you need dedicated personal injury attorneys to help you seek compensation from at-fault parties through an insurance settlement or lawsuit. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Recent Bicycle Accident Settlements

• $2,250,000: Policy limit recovery case for an injured bicyclist who suffered a head injury after being struck on her way to work.
• $760,000: Settlement for a rear-end accident at a stop light.
• $510,000: Policy limit settlement for a cyclist who suffered facial injuries and a brain injury.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Naperville?

Bike crashes are an unfortunate reality for cyclists nationwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that, on average, there are 45,000 injury-only bike crashes across the country. Cyclists make up about 2% of all motor vehicle accident fatalities per year, and deaths amongst adult cyclists have risen fivefold since 1975.

In 2023, 28 bike crashes were reported to the Illinois Department of Transportation in Naperville, though this likely underrepresents the number of crashes that occurred.

Naperville is more prone to accidents because 85% of all cycling deaths occur in urban areas. However, the city’s layout also makes it more prone to crashes. High-volume city streets like Route 59, Ogden Avenue, and North Aurora Road are notorious for speeding, and dangerous intersections like Jackson Avenue and Main Street are hard to navigate safely.

Illinois & Naperville Bicycle Laws

Illinois Vehicle Code §625 ILCS 5/ notes that bike riders are subject to the same rights and responsibilities as drivers, including yielding at intersections, obeying traffic laws, and exercising due care around pedestrians.

Because bikes are treated the same as cars, they are also bound by statute §625 ILCS 5/11-407, which requires them to report a crash in a timely manner to local police.

Naperville Municipal Code §11-1-1 notes that the city follows the same regulations as the Illinois Vehicle Code, but there are a few additional regulations for cyclists. For example, bicycles may not be operated on sidewalks in the Central Business District or shopping centers (§11-4-3). Cyclists should always use bike lanes when they are allowed.

While Illinois law does not require helmets, it is strongly recommended. You must also comply with all traffic signals and should signal your intent to turn with hand signals. Failure to adhere to all these regulations may impact your ability to recover compensation under Illinois’s modified comparative negligence in bike crashes (§735 ILCS 5/2-1116).

Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims in Illinois

Illinois has a personal injury statute of limitations of only 2 years (§735 ILCS 5/13-202). If you are filing a claim against a government entity, like the City of Naperville, you have only one year as per §745 ILCS 10/8-101.

Minors can have their claim tolled or paused until they are 18, in which case they have two years to file (§735 ILCS 5/13-112). However, parents should speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to begin the investigation process, as early action can ensure that you receive maximum compensation for your claim.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Naperville

Bicycle accident victims may suffer catastrophic injuries due to a driver’s negligence. Common causes of a Naperville cycling accident include the following:

• Negligent Drivers: Drivers may be distracted or speeding, meaning they don’t notice the cyclist.
• Dooring Accidents: These occur when occupants of a parked vehicle open a car door in the cyclist’s line of travel.
• Inattention: Drivers might not check for cyclists at intersections and turn into them.
• Impaired Driving: In 2022, Naperville police arrested 224 people for driving under the influence. DUI crashes can result in devastating injuries for cyclists because the driver may not stop and may be speeding.
• Road Hazards: Poor road maintenance, potholes, and sewer grates can all lead to accidents.
• Product Liability: Defective brakes, bike chains, or handles can lead to serious injury.

Road Hazards & Liability in Naperville Bike Accidents

In some cases, bike crashes aren’t from motor vehicle accidents but from poor road maintenance. In these cases, the City of Naperville, DuPage County Will County, or the Illinois Department of Transportation may be the liable party for a bicycle accident claim.

These are some of the unsafe road conditions for cyclists.

• Potholes: Northern Illinois is known for its snowy winters, which can damage roadways. The city and counties are responsible for repairing these as soon as possible.
• Cracked Pavement: Like potholes, these can result from winter weather or inadequate maintenance.
• Sewer Grates: Outdated grates used a slat pattern that caused tire entrapment. If the city has not replaced these with safer grates, they can be responsible.
• Rail Tracks: Unsafe Metra tracks can lead to falls, the resulting injuries can be very severe.
• Poor Markings: Bike lanes should always be properly marked. If the city does not keep them clear and visible, this can lead to crashes.

In Aleve v. City of Chicago, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that cyclists are not intended road users and that municipalities are not responsible for injuries resulting from road issues after an injured cyclist hit a pothole. However, a bicycle accident attorney from our firm will seek justice for you and hold the city accountable for negligence.

Types of Bicycle Accidents

Bike accidents can occur in a number of different ways, including the following.

Crossing Path Collisions – These may occur at intersections or when individuals are entering the bike lane from a driveway or alley. In 2023, 3 of the 28 bicycle accidents reported to Naperville police occurred when the victim emerged from a driveway or alley.

Rear-End Crashes – Distracted drivers may step on the gas as soon as the light turns green, failing to check their surroundings for cyclists. In other cases, impatient and aggressive drivers will step on the gas in hopes of forcing a cyclist to move.

Open-Door Accidents – Naperville has plentiful street parking, and not every car occupant thinks to check for cyclists before opening their door.

Parallel Path Crashes – According to §625 ILCS 5/11-703(d), motorists are required to give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing, but many fail to provide this necessary space. In 2023, 4 Naperville bicycle crashes occurred when the victim was riding with traffic.

Right-Hook and Left-Cross Collisions – Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers, which means that drivers must yield to them when they are turning right or have a left turn signal. Unfortunately, drivers may ignore this and hit them while turning.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

A Naperville road cycling crash can lead to major injuries that cause lifelong disability. This makes it even more important to work with a DuPage County bicycle accident lawyer, who can help you get compensation for these common injuries:

• Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Fractures and broken bones
• Soft tissue damage and road rash
• Lacerations, contusions, and facial injuries
• Amputations and permanent disabilities

Sadly, fatal bicycle accidents are not uncommon in the Chicagoland area. In this case, you need an experienced attorney by your side to help you obtain financial compensation for medical bills and burial costs.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Naperville

If you’ve been in a Naperville bike lane accident, you must act quickly to ensure that you can stay safe and obtain a reasonable settlement. Follow these steps as soon as possible.

Seek Medical Attention: Bike crash emergency medical care is essential both to proving your case and ensuring you do not have serious injuries. Always get treatment, even if your injuries seem minor.

File a Crash Report: Filing a bike accident police report in Naperville works similarly to a car accident. Call 911 and provide your location, then wait for the responding officer to arrive.

Collect Evidence: Photos and videos of the scene can help a bicycle accident reconstruction expert discover what happened. Get evidence of your injuries, vehicle and bike damage, and road conditions.

Talk to Witnesses: Bicycle accident witness testimony is a key piece of settlement negotiations. Get the names and contact details of anyone who saw the crash so that your attorney can speak to them later.

Do Not Admit Fault: Apologizing, saying you weren’t paying attention, or blaming yourself can all lead to insurance disputes after a bicycle crash. Let our law firm gather evidence and perform a thorough investigation so that we can determine liability under Illinois comparative negligence laws for bicycle accidents.

Preserve Evidence: Bicycle crash evidence collection is a crucial element of the claims process. Do not get your bike repaired until your attorney says to do so.

Contact Naperville Bicycle Accident Attorneys: Get in touch with us for a free case review and learn more about the bicycle accident settlement process.

Determining Liability in a Naperville Bicycle Accident

Liability is often split between multiple parties. Your Will County bicycle accident lawyer will carefully investigate the crash to determine the at-fault parties, which may include the following.

Negligent Drivers: Drivers who ignore Naperville pedestrian and bike safety regulations can be held accountable. Their actions may include speeding, failing to yield, or distracted driving.

Municipalities: Naperville roadway design and bike crashes are closely intertwined. Poor road maintenance or conditions can hold city departments accountable.

Manufacturers: If bicycle or vehicle defects contributed to the crash, your Naperville bicycle accident attorneys will sue the manufacturer.

Businesses and Property Owners: Bike crash liability for businesses and property owners is based on premises liability, meaning that homeowners and companies are responsible for ensuring others’ safety on their property.

How a Lawyer Can Help Your Bicycle Accident Case

Our team of legal experts will guide you through every step of the legal process. We can assist with things like:

• Determining your bicycle accident claim value
• Investigating and gathering evidence, such as accident reconstruction, and surveillance footage
• Reviewing medical records to determine liability
• Negotiating with insurance companies to maximize settlement value
• Handling legal filings and court proceedings
• Representing you in court if the insurance settlement is unfair

Types of Compensation Available for Bicycle Accident Victims

You may receive both economic and non-economic damages for your bike accident case. These can include:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses like physical therapy
• Future medical needs
• Future lost income
• Property damage
• Burial expenses for death
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of companionship

Comparative Negligence in Illinois & Its Impact on Your Personal Injury Claim

Illinois uses modified comparative negligence (§735 ILCS 5/2-1116), which means that you can recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault. If you are determined to be more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover anything. As an example, if you ran a red light but the driver was also speeding, you may be considered more liable and not receive a settlement.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim After a Bicycle Accident

If your loved one passed away due to a bike crash, our attorneys will help you get justice through a bicycle accident wrongful death lawsuit. The deceased’s next of kin is eligible to file, which may include spouses, parents, or children.

You may recover damages both for expenses before death as well as funeral and burial costs, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, grief, and emotional distress. In some cases, you may also receive punitive damages in a lawsuit if the defendant’s actions went beyond simple negligence.

Consult Naperville Bicycle Accident Attorneys Near You!

Our nationally recognized law firm is part of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and a Super Lawyers firm. We have recovered over $450 million in damages for our clients and have a 98% success rate.

As we work on a contingency fee basis, you owe us nothing unless we are able to win your case. This ensures that everyone can gain access to high-quality legal representation. With over 5,000 clients served and 100+ combined years of legal experience, our Naperville personal injury lawyers are feared by insurance companies due to our aggressive and fact-based representation.

To schedule a free consultation and case review with a highly experienced bicycle accident attorney, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.

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Jonathan Rosenfeld was recommended to me by a friend. He took care of the case for me. He was professional. He got my money back in a timely manner. I’m very impressed with his work. I would recommend him highly.

– Roy CaffieRead More Google Reviews

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• Naperville Personal Injury Lawyer
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Naperville Bicycle Accident Lawyer Resources:

• NIH – Bicyclist injury severities in bicycle
• CDC – Play it Safe Bicycling
• NIH – Injuries related to bicycle accidents

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.