Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Protecting Injured Cyclists

Cyclists face unique dangers every time they share the road with motor vehicles. A single distracted or impatient driver can cause life-altering harm to a person with no physical protection beyond a helmet. Across Illinois—from Schaumburg and Wheeling to downtown Chicago—bicycle accidents occur in intersections, crosswalks, and suburban roadways where drivers fail to yield or misjudge distance.

At SJ Injury Law, we fight for injured bicyclists and their families after serious collisions. We understand how devastating these cases can be, both physically and financially, and we work relentlessly to ensure that victims receive full compensation under Illinois law.

Attorney Keith Shindler has recovered more than $155 million for injured clients across Illinois and Wisconsin. Our mission is to protect cyclists’ rights and make sure negligent drivers, businesses, and insurers are held fully accountable.

Common Bicycle Accident Locations in Chicagoland

Bicycle crashes in Illinois often occur where heavy traffic meets limited visibility. Common danger zones include:

• Urban Intersections – Chicago’s downtown corridors, especially near Michigan Avenue, Clark Street, and State Street, see frequent right-turn collisions when drivers fail to notice cyclists in bike lanes.
• Suburban Arteries – Roads like Golf Road, Dundee Road, and Milwaukee Avenue in Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove, and Wheeling have minimal shoulder space and frequent driveways, which increase the risk.
• Residential Neighborhoods – Parked cars and sudden door openings (“dooring” incidents) often injure cyclists on side streets.
• Recreational Trails and Crosswalks – Collisions occur when vehicles fail to stop for cyclists in marked crossings or driveways.

Each crash requires a detailed investigation to determine where driver negligence occurred and to identify all responsible parties, including vehicle operators, employers, municipalities, and contractors responsible for roadway maintenance.

Illinois Laws Protecting Cyclists

Illinois law treats bicycles as vehicles, giving cyclists both rights and responsibilities under the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5). Drivers owe cyclists the same duty of care as any other roadway user—and must exercise extra caution due to cyclists’ vulnerability.

Key legal provisions include:

• Three-Foot Rule (625 ILCS 5/11-703) – Drivers must maintain at least three feet of clearance when overtaking a bicycle.
• Passing Law (625 ILCS 5/11-1505) – Vehicles must yield to cyclists in designated bike lanes and may only pass safely when conditions permit.
• Duty to Exercise Due Care (625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1) – Drivers must avoid colliding with pedestrians or cyclists and take precautions when aware of their presence.
• Dooring Law (625 ILCS 5/11-1407) – It is unlawful for any person to open a car door into traffic unless it is safe to do so.

Additionally, 735 ILCS 5/13-202 gives injury victims two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. For cases involving government entities (such as city streets or public vehicles), the deadline can be shorter under the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act (745 ILCS 10).

Because liability may depend on roadway design, signage, or contractor negligence, timely legal representation is critical to preserving your right to compensation.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle crashes frequently stem from driver negligence, roadway hazards, or violations of Illinois traffic laws. The most common causes include:

• Drivers turning right across bicycle lanes without checking mirrors.
• Failure to yield when exiting driveways, parking lots, or intersections.
• Distracted driving (cell phone use, texting, or infotainment system distraction).
• Drunk or drug-impaired driving.
• Dooring incidents from parked cars.
• Unsafe passing or tailgating by cyclists.
• Poor road conditions, potholes, and defective signage.
• Inadequate lighting or missing reflective materials on poorly maintained streets.

Our firm investigates every factor contributing to the crash, often consulting with accident reconstructionists, engineers, and bicycle safety experts to demonstrate exactly how the negligence occurred.

Common Injuries Sustained by Cyclists

Even at moderate speeds, a collision between a motor vehicle and a cyclist can produce catastrophic injuries. We frequently represent victims suffering from:

• Head and Brain Injuries – Concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries leading to memory loss or cognitive decline.
• Spinal Cord Damage – Herniated discs, paralysis, or chronic back pain.
• Orthopedic Injuries – Fractures of the wrist, arm, collarbone, pelvis, or leg, often requiring surgery.
• Soft Tissue and Ligament Tears – Shoulder dislocations, knee ligament injuries, and rotator cuff tears.
• Facial and Dental Injuries – Broken teeth, lacerations, and facial reconstruction needs from contact with the pavement or vehicle.
• Internal Injuries – Damage to organs or internal bleeding that can be fatal without immediate treatment.
• Psychological Injuries – Depression, anxiety, and PTSD are common after serious crashes.

These injuries often require hospitalization, surgeries, and long-term therapy. Many victims cannot work for extended periods or lose the ability to return to their previous careers. We make sure those realities are reflected in every claim we file.

Proving Negligence in Bicycle Accident Cases

Establishing fault in a bicycle accident involves demonstrating that another party violated their legal duty to drive safely. Our attorneys handle this process through:

1. Accident Reconstruction – Working with experts to analyze speed, impact angles, braking distances, and road conditions.
2. Witness Statements and Video Evidence – Collecting surveillance or dashcam footage before it’s deleted.
3. Vehicle Inspection and Black Box Data – Retrieving vehicle data that records speed, braking, and throttle input.
4. Medical Documentation – Linking each injury to the crash and demonstrating long-term effects.
5. Violation of Traffic Laws – Using Illinois Vehicle Code violations as evidence of negligence per se.

These steps transform a “he said, she said” case into a data-driven argument that insurers cannot ignore.

Damages Available to Illinois Bicycle Accident Victims

Under Illinois law, bicycle accident victims may recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical Expenses – Emergency treatment, hospital bills, rehabilitation, and future care.
• Lost Wages – Compensation for missed work and diminished earning potential.
• Pain and Suffering – Physical discomfort, emotional trauma, and chronic pain.
• Loss of Normal Life – Reduced ability to enjoy daily activities or maintain independence.
• Disfigurement and Scarring – Particularly in facial injury cases.
• Property Damage – Replacement of the damaged bicycle, gear, and personal items.
• Loss of Consortium – Compensation to spouses for relationship strain and emotional loss.
• Wrongful Death Damages – Funeral costs, medical bills, and financial loss to surviving family members.

In rare but egregious cases, punitive damages may also be pursued if the driver’s conduct was reckless, such as drunk driving or intentional disregard for the safety of cyclists.

Why Cyclists Need Legal Representation

Bicycle accident cases often involve complex disputes over liability. Drivers frequently claim they “didn’t see the cyclist” or that the rider was outside the designated lane. Insurance adjusters seize on these arguments to shift blame and reduce payouts. Without experienced representation, victims risk losing compensation for lifelong injuries.

At SJ Injury Law, we build every case with a clear goal—to prove negligence beyond dispute. We handle communications with insurance companies, preserve evidence, coordinate with medical experts, and prepare every claim as though it will go to trial. Our attorneys are familiar with Illinois comparative negligence rules and work to prevent insurers from unfairly assigning fault to victims.

We also understand how to document long-term consequences, including cognitive changes, chronic pain, and loss of mobility—factors that may not appear immediately after the crash but have lifelong effects.

Why Choose SJ Injury Law

Attorney Keith Shindler has helped injured clients recover over $155 million in settlements and verdicts across Illinois and Wisconsin. We are proud to stand with cyclists who careless or reckless drivers have harmed.

Here’s what sets our firm apart:

• Local Knowledge – We are familiar with Illinois laws, court systems, and insurance practices.
• Trial Readiness – We prepare every case to go before a jury.
• Direct Communication – You work directly with your attorney, not case managers.
• Proven Results – Our record demonstrates our commitment to maximizing recoveries.
• Bilingual Legal Service – Se Habla Español.

Our commitment is simple and powerful – LET US HELP YOU CLAIM YOUR JUSTICE®!

Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents

How Long Do I Have To File A Bicycle Accident Claim In Illinois?

You generally have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Cases involving government property may require notice within one year.

Do I Need To Wear A Helmet To Recover Damages?

Illinois law does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets, and the lack of one does not automatically reduce recovery. However, insurers may attempt to argue comparative fault—our attorneys counter this with medical and legal evidence.

What If The Driver Fled The Scene?

Hit-and-run cyclists can often recover through uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on their own policy or a household member’s. Our firm handles these claims to ensure full access to coverage.

Will My Case Go To Trial?

Most bicycle accident claims resolve through settlement, but we prepare every case as trial-ready to maximize leverage and results.