Bicycle Path Bike Lane Accidents

With more and more people taking to Illinois’ roads for cycling, more and more bicycle paths and bike lanes are being placed both on and off the roadways as a way to increase safety. While these paths and lanes do help cyclists to stay safer, accidents still occur. Bicycle accidents are often quite serious and can even be deadly.

At 844 See Mike, we represent clients in Illinois who have suffered personal injuries from a bicycle accident, as well as family members who have lost a loved one in a road accident caused by negligent or reckless conduct of another person. We know that when a bicycle collides with a vehicle weighing at least 2,000 pounds, the odds are not in the cyclist’s favor and the results can be tragic.

It’s important to consult with an experienced Chicago bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and determine if you have a valid personal injury claim or wrongful death claim against a reckless or negligent driver. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, contact 844 See Mike, for a free consultation.

Types of Bicycle Path and Bike Lane Accidents

Bicycle paths and bike lanes are generally located on streets and through parks to aid in safes transportation and recreational use. While these lanes do help to prevent cyclists from being involved in collisions, accidents do still occur, especially if these paths and lanes are not properly maintained, supervised, or developed.

Bicycle path and bike lane accidents can be serious. Some of the most common types of accidents that occur include:

• Bicycle vs. Bicycle Accidents-Sometimes the bike lanes and paths do not have directional lanes, and if they do, cyclists do not always follow the rules. Studies have shown that approximately 17% of bicycle accidents are bicycle vs. bicycle, which can be damaging to both cyclists.
• Bicycle vs. Pedestrian Accidents-While bicycle paths and lanes are designed for cyclists, pedestrians are often found using them. When a cyclist collides with a pedestrian, both have the potential to be seriously and even catastrophically injured.
• Defective Bicycle Paths or Lanes-Once a bicycle path or lane is installed, it is often left unsupervised and unmaintained. Defects in a bicycle path or lane can cause a cyclist to swerve, fall, or collide with other cyclists or pedestrians.

Bicycle vs. Motor Vehicle Accidents

Bicycle lanes are often the better choice when it comes to riding your bike on Illinois’ roads. Since these lanes are often adjacent to roadways without any separation, bicycle lanes are not without risk, especially near intersections and turns. Some of the most common bicycle vs. motor vehicle accidents that occur include:

• Dooring Accidents-Cars, trucks, and SUV’s often park next to designated bicycle lanes and drivers open their doors into these lanes. When a cyclist is caught off guard, they can strike the door or suddenly be forced to swerve into traffic, putting them at-risk for a serious accident.
• Intersection Accidents-Approximately 55% of all bicycle accidents that occur in Chicago occur at intersections. Drivers are more often to turn without watching for cyclists, or a cyclist may be located in a driver’s blind spot due to their smaller size.
• Turning Accidents-Motor vehicle drivers often make turns without first checking the bicycle lanes. Right turn accidents usually involve a driver turning directly into the path of the cyclist, while left turn accidents usually occur when a driver doesn’t realize a cyclist is traveling toward them in the far-left bicycle lane.

Bicycle path and bike lane accidents can be serious. If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident due to no fault of your own, consider discussing your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google.  Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.