Chicago Bicycle & Pedestrian Accident Attorneys
Were you or a loved one hit by a car while walking or riding your bicycle? You may be entitled to a sizable payout from the insurance company.
Our bicycle & pedestrian accident attorneys at Lloyd Miller Law bring over 75 years of combined experience to the table to ensure clients like you are treated fairly and wrongdoers are held accountable.
- We work on a contingency basis with no upfront fees.
- Our lawyers win more on behalf of injured victims.
- Our law firm only gets paid if you win.
- We win over 90% of the injury cases we handle.
If you suffered serious injuries in a bicycle or pedestrian accident in Chicago, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Cicero, or a nearby community, call Lloyd Miller Law for a free consultation.
Call: 773-838-8100
Table of Contents
Bicycle Accident
Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian Accident
How Can Our Law Firm Help You After a Bicycle or Pedestrian Accident?
When you hire the legal team at Lloyd Miller Law, our bicycle & pedestrian accident lawyers will help you recover up to 3X more in your personal injury claim or lawsuit. We are trained negotiators and experienced litigators, and we’ve recovered millions on behalf of injured victims like you.
When you hire our law firm to handle your injury case, we will:
- Perform our own investigation of the events that transpired
- Identify all parties who may be liable for your injuries
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Take your case to court, if necessary, to help you recover maximum compensation
Pedestrians at Risk in Chicago
Pedestrian safety is an ongoing concern in Chicago. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, nearly one-third of fatal motor vehicle accidents in Chicago involve pedestrians. While these collisions sometimes occur in nearby townships as well, approximately 84% of pedestrian accidents involving serious injuries in Illinois, and 69% of those that result in wrongful death, happen in metro Chicago.
Intersections Prove Dangerous for Chicago Pedestrians
Approximately 78% of pedestrian accidents that happen in Chicago occur within 125 feet of an intersection. According to the Active Transportation Alliance, the most dangerous intersections for pedestrians in the city include:
- North Milwaukee Avenue/West North Avenue/North Damen Avenue
- North Cicero Avenue and West Chicago Avenue intersection
- North Halsted Street/North Lincoln Avenue/West Fullerton Avenue
- South Cottage Grove Avenue and East 79th Street
- North Dearborn Street and West Ontario Street
Dangerous intersections in the area are not limited to Downtown Chicago, however. The following suburban intersections require extra caution as well.
- North McCormick Boulevard and West Touhy Avenue in Skokie
- South Cicero Avenue and West Cermak Road in Cicero
- Mannheim Road/La Grange Road (U.S. Route 12) and West Cermak Road in Westchester
- Shermer Road and West Dempster Street in Morton Grove
- North La Grange Road and West Ogden Avenue in La Grange
Upswing in Bicycle Accidents in Chicago
The pandemic biking boom that began in 2020, combined with bike-sharing trends and the new electric-assist Divvy bikes that can max out at speeds of up to 20 mph, have caused an increase in the number of injury and fatality bicycle accidents in Chicago. When cyclists collide with passenger cars, other bike riders, or pedestrians, the result is often catastrophic.
Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
The most common bicycle accident injuries are fractures to the arms and legs. Head injuries, ranging from mild concussions to severe trauma, are also common if the rider is not wearing a helmet. Road rash, caused by friction with the road surface, is another frequent outcome. Collisions with vehicles often result in more severe injuries that may include broken bones, internal bleeding, and spinal injuries.
Playing It Safe to Prevent Bicycle Accident Injuries
Many bicycle accidents in Chicago and the nearby suburbs can be prevented. There are steps riders can take to minimize their risk of accident-related injuries as well.
Wearing Helmets
Research reveals that wearing a helmet could reduce a cyclist’s risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury or severe head injury by greater than 50%. Illinois law, however, does not require most riders, including young children, to wear helmets. In Chicago, only bicycle messengers and delivery people who ride bikes are required to wear helmets. Cicero laws, however, require helmets for cyclists who are under 16.
Increasing Awareness
Lack of awareness on the part of a negligent motorist is the cause of countless bike accidents in the city. While distracted drivers need to pay closer attention to their surroundings, bike riders can take extra precautions to help ensure they are seen. This includes wearing bright clothing and using reflectors or headlights on their bicycles at night.
Exercising Extra Caution
Motorists should exercise extra caution when driving where bike riding is common. They should allow a minimum of 3 feet clearance when passing a cyclist on the road, watch for riders entering or exiting driveways, and be careful when opening their car doors to prevent “dooring” accidents. Bicycle accidents can also include young children who are unable to drive and may not be as aware of laws, so motorists should take this into consideration when maneuvering around bicyclists.
Types of Damages Available in a Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident?
Understanding the types of damages available in a pedestrian or bicycle accident case is important when reviewing a settlement offer and negotiating with the insurance company. This helps ensure that you receive compensation for all your losses.
After a pedestrian or bicycle accident, injured victims may seek compensation for their economic and noneconomic damages.
- Economic damages are losses like past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and past and future lost wages.
- Noneconomic damages involve intangible harm such as pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
“I hired Kurt after I was hit by a car in a crosswalk. He was very knowledgeable in all aspects of my case. He made the whole legal process feel less painful.”
FAQs About Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents
Do Pedestrians Always Have the Right-of-Way in Crosswalks and Intersections in Chicago?
Pedestrians have the right-of-way over motor vehicles when they are crossing the road in crosswalks. If they cross the road at a point other than a crosswalk, they must yield to passenger vehicles. Pedestrians also have the right-of-way over passenger vehicles when:
- children are close to a school zone crosswalk on school days
- walking with a green light or when a traffic signal indicates the pedestrian should proceed
- entering a street from a building, alley, driveway, or private road
- entering an intersection that has a flashing yellow arrow
Should I See a Doctor if I Feel Fine After a Bicycle Accident?
Yes. Since some injuries may not show symptoms right away and delaying treatment could be deadly, bike accident victims should be seen by a medical professional as soon as possible after a crash.
Can I file a Lawsuit if My Child Was Injured While Riding a Bike in Chicago?
Parents can file injury lawsuits for their own losses and on a child’s behalf to recover compensation for injuries caused by bicycle accidents.
Types of Injury Cases Our Accident Attorneys Handle
The attorneys at Lloyd Miller Law handle injury cases that stem from a wide range of incident types. We are: