What Can I Do If I Was Injured While Riding a Bike?

 Posted on October 14, 2021 in Personal Injury

Riding a bicycle is an eco-friendly, enjoyable means of transportation and leisure for many Cook County residents. Unfortunately, riding a bicycle can also be quite dangerous. Bicycle accidents resulting in significant injuries and deaths are not uncommon – especially on the busy streets of Chicago.

If you or a loved one were harmed in a bicycle accident, you should know that you may have the right to compensation. You could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages during your recovery period, and more.

Legal Options After a Bicycle Collision

Bicycle accidents often leave victims with painful injuries and steep costs. Many bicycle accident victims require emergency room treatment, stitches, and other medical care. Some require a greater degree of medical intervention, including surgery and ongoing physical therapy. Sadly, some bicycle accident victims never recover from their injuries.

If you were hit by a car while you were on your bike, the first avenue through which you may be able to recover compensation is the driver’s insurance company. Just as you would in a car-on-car accident, you can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. To do so, you will need to compile evidence like police reports and medical and submit a demand letter to the insurance carrier.

An experienced bicycle accident injury lawyer can help you obtain and preserve evidence of your injury and damages and put together a demand letter. Your lawyer can also advocate on your behalf during settlement negotiations with the insurance company and help you avoid unreasonably low settlement offers. Sometimes, reaching an appropriate settlement with the insurance company is not possible. In this case, your lawyer may file a personal injury claim on your behalf.

Common Obstacles in Bike Injury Claims

Unfortunately, recovering the financial compensation bike accident victims need and deserve after an accident can be extremely challenging. Liability for bike accidents is not always as straightforward as you may assume. Even in a car-on-bicycle collision, the insurance company may claim that the bicyclist was partially or fully responsible. Acquiring and preserving the evidence needed to build a compelling claim can also be a tricky task. This is why it is important for anyone seeking compensation after a bike crash to work with a knowledgeable attorney experienced in bicycle accident cases.

Contact a Barrington Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyer

If you were injured in a bicycle accident or your loved one was killed in a fatal bike accident, contact a Barrington personal injury lawyer from Barrington Injury Attorneys for legal assistance. We can help you understand your options and determine the next steps. Call 224-900-HURT for a confidential consultation.

Source:

https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/courts/circuit-court/illinois-pattern-jury-instructions-civil/