Granite City, IL, is a locale that encourages bicycling as both a viable mode of transportation and a fun hobby. If you experience an accident with a motor vehicle while riding your bicycle, a Granite City bicycle accident lawyer can help right the wrongs of the situation.
At Albers Injury Law, our team helps people seek compensation for injuries caused by the wrongdoing or negligence of others. We can provide the guidance and support needed to navigate the complex circumstances after a bicycle accident and boost your chances of securing the best possible outcome for your insurance claim.
Our Granite City Bicycle Accident Lawyers Protect Cyclists’ Rights
While out for a ride, nobody expects to experience a bicycle accident, let alone suffer severe injuries as a result. In the aftermath of a catastrophic collision, you need to focus on rest and recovery while a dedicated bicycle accident attorney handles your legal case. Our team at Albers Injury Law will protect your rights while you prioritize recovery.
Your attorney at Albers Injury Law will advocate for your rights by:
- Investigating the circumstances around your bicycle accident
- Collecting evidence to establish the other party’s fault
- Helping you submit your accident claim and other paperwork
- Negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf
Contacting a Granite City bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after your collision will help ensure that you do not miss the strict two-year statute of limitations for an accident case in Illinois. Our team will help you keep your case moving.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
While both bicyclists and motorists have a responsibility to maintain safe practices on the road, many bicycle accidents occur because of negligent drivers. The most common causes of bicycle accidents in Illinois include:
- Reckless driving, when a motorist behaves aggressively or violates traffic laws
- Drunk driving, in which an intoxicated driver might fail to notice a bicyclist or inadvertently swerve into them
- Failure to yield, typically when a driver does not realize that an incoming bicycle has the right to enter an intersection
- Distracted driving, which increases the likelihood that a driver will fail to notice a bicyclist entering their blind spot
- Encroaching into bike lanes, even though motor vehicles should only enter a bike lane when they are about to make a valid turn
Negligent Drivers Put Cyclists At Risk
In a bicycle accident, the injured party bears the burden of proving the other driver’s negligence. Negligent driving puts cyclists at risk, and a Granite City bicycle accident lawyer at Albers Injury Law can help you identify any dangerous negligent behavior drivers may have been exhibiting at the time of your accident. This can make it easier to prove that the at-fault party owes you suitable compensation for your damages.
Everybody on the road owes a duty of care to other drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. When a negligent driver violates that duty and causes harm as a result, they bear liability for the incident. Actions that constitute such negligence include violating traffic laws, driving aggressively, or committing a hit-and-run.
Illinois Bicycling Laws Everyone Should Know
There are a few key bicycle laws that everyone on the road should know for safety and legal compliance. If you experienced a bicycle accident, it is important to consult with a bicycle accident lawyer in Granite City, who can help you understand which party violated bicycle laws.
Bicyclists in Illinois have every right to use the road like a motor vehicle, but they should keep to the right for safety. Bicycles must have certain safety equipment, such as a white front-facing headlight and a red rear-facing taillight. There is no requirement for adult bicyclists to wear a helmet. A Granite City bicycle accident lawyer can defend you against any accusations of violating bicycle law at the time of an accident.
Motor vehicle drivers should also be aware that bicycles have full rights to the road and that designated bike lanes are for bicycles only. There is also a requirement for safely passing a bicycle which motorists must observe: When passing a bicycle, drivers must maintain a minimum three-foot gap between the vehicle and bicycle so as to avoid a contact collision.
Bicycle Accident Injury Statistics in Illinois
Data from the Illinois Department of Transportation shows that there were 42 bicyclist fatalities in the state in 2023. This is a staggering increase from 2019 when there were only 12 bicyclist fatalities on Illinois roads. While this upward trend could be a natural result of the increasing popularity of biking, it also illustrates a need for greater safety measures.
There is an annual average of approximately 1,400 bicycle crashes in Chicago alone. With an average of seven bicycle fatalities in Chicago each year, the metropolitan hub of Illinois accounts for a significant percentage of the state’s bicyclist fatality rate.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Obviously, a bicyclist has much less protection against injury compared to a driver who is relatively safe within the confines of a vehicle. This means that bicycle accidents have a much greater potential for catastrophic injury as compared to other types of collisions.
Common bicycle accident injuries that may lead to legal action include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck or spine injuries
- Contusions or lacerations
- Internal injuries
After experiencing a traffic accident of any kind, particularly a devastating bicycle accident, your first priority should be to seek medical attention for any injuries. Even if you do not notice any pain or symptoms immediately, it is important to see a physician in case of any complications that may arise later. Having relevant medical records related to your accident can be valuable when building a case for your accident claim.
If you sustain injuries while riding a bike, a Granite City bicycle accident lawyer can help.
Compensation in a Bicycle Accident Claim
Many wonder how much a bicycle accident claim may be worth. Your Granite City bicycle accident lawyer can help you evaluate both the economic and non-economic damages owed to you as a result of your accident.
Economic damages refer to your financial losses from an accident. These include medical costs, repair expenses, and any lost wages from missing work due to your injuries. Calculating your economic damages is a fairly straightforward process for your legal team if you have your relevant medical records, receipts, and other documentation on hand.
Non-economic damages are losses you incur that are more difficult to place a monetary value on. Any emotional pain and suffering you feel after your accident as well as disabilities and other factors that reduce your quality of life are viable forms of non-economic damages.
Contact a Granite City Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Albers Injury Law
The devastating aftermath of a bicycle accident can be overwhelming to deal with alone, both from a personal and legal standpoint. A Granite City bicycle accident lawyer at Albers Injury Law can help remove as much of that burden as possible. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and to learn more about how we can help you achieve a favorable outcome.