What to Do After a Bike Accident in Chicago

A bike crash near popular tourist spots like Museum Campus or Lincoln Park Zoo can cause serious injuries and expensive medical bills. However, you don’t have to go through this experience alone. Our personal injury lawyers can explain what to do after a bike accident in Chicago and guide you through the insurance claim process. Follow these steps immediately after a crash.

Check for Serious Injuries and Move to Safety

Bicyclists often suffer life-threatening injuries after a crash due to the lack of protection, including traumatic brain injuries or spinal injuries. Bikers also suffer facial fractures, broken teeth, or fractured wrists from trying to brace themselves.

According to Illinois law, no one should leave the accident scene if there are any injuries, including cyclists (625 ILCS 5/11-401). Call 911 and wait for emergency services.

Stay Calm and Call the Police

In Chicago, drivers must report a crash if the damage exceeds $250 (9-56-010). This would include damage to your bicycle, gear, clothing, or phone.

Do not admit fault to the police officer or the negligent driver. Explain what happened, such as the driver failing to check for pedestrians and cyclists at a stop sign.

Request the police report number so you can review it later. This provides an official report of the bicycle accident, and the insurance company may refuse to honor a claim without the report.

Document the Bike Crash Scene

Use your cell phone to take a picture of the car’s license plate number and the extent of the property damage. Ensure you take pictures of your safety gear, such as your helmet or a hi-vis vest for night cycling. Ask for the driver’s license number and insurance information.

Insurance companies will attempt to blame you, making it crucial that you protect yourself with contemporaneous evidence. For example, they may claim you were cycling against the flow of traffic, which is prohibited by Chicago codes (9-52-010). Having these photos on file will provide proof that you were following the law.

Get Contact Info for Witnesses and Drivers

Write down the name, address, and phone number for anyone present. This includes passersby, other motorists, and other bicyclists. We can then contact them for witness statements that will support your claim.

Seek Medical Attention

You should always visit the emergency room after a bicycle accident, even if you do not feel pain. You may not realize you are hurt right away due to adrenaline, and the extent of your injuries can only be determined by a doctor. Go to the nearest hospital, such as UChicago Medicine or Northwest Memorial Hospital, and ask for a full evaluation. Get copies of all medical records to prove your injuries.

Preserve Evidence

Keep everything you were wearing or had with you during your bike ride, and do not have the bicycle repaired. Components such as lights, mirrors, and gear chains may play a critical role in establishing liability. Preserve copies of your expenses, including medical insurance bills, time off work, out-of-pocket medical expenses, and transportation costs.

Document Your Bicycle Crash Recovery

Non-economic damages cover the non-monetary toll of a bicycle accident, such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. Take photos immediately after you were injured, and throughout your recovery, to document your progress. Keep a pain diary that discusses your limitations, including difficulty walking. If you have favorite hobbies, like going to Cubs games or walking along Lake Michigan, mention how the accident has kept you from pursuing these.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Before Speaking to Insurance Companies

You can make a claim against the liable party’s insurance. If they did not have insurance, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled in Galarza v. Direct Auto Insurance Company that bicyclists can use their own uninsured motorist policy to cover bicycle accidents.

However, insurers will do everything possible to diminish your compensation, including using recorded statements against you or forcing you to accept a lowball offer. A Chicago bicycle accident lawyer will negotiate with all parties involved and push for the highest possible settlement based on similar claims to yours.

Do not make any recorded statements to insurance adjusters, and avoid posting on social media about your accident. Instead, contact an attorney for a free consultation as soon as possible. We will handle all third-party communications while keeping you aware of your case’s progress.

The Illinois statute of limitations on bike crashes is just two years (735 ILCS 5/13-202), so you must act quickly. Call our office to schedule a meeting; we’re conveniently located on Wabash Avenue in the heart of Chicago.

Call our Bicycle Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation

A Chicago traffic accident lawyer is here to help you explore your legal options while managing the claims process on your behalf. With over 5,000 satisfied clients over the past 25 years, we have a 10/10 AVVO rating and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

You don’t have to go through recovery alone. We work on a contingency fee basis: no fees unless we win. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation case review about healing from a bike accident.