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Chicago Bicycle Broken Bone Injury Lawyer
A Chicago bicycle broken bones accident can cause significant suffering for the victim. Bicycling is a growing trend as the infrastructure for riders continues to improve. However, bicycles offer minimal protection when riders collide with vehicles, pedestrians, or even road hazards.
Bone fractures are some of the most common bicycle accident injuries. Since 2015, almost 15,000 crashes in Chicago have involved bicyclists. Many of these collisions have resulted in serious bone fractures and other bicycle accident broken bones that require extensive medical care.
If you get hurt in a collision, you may be eligible for compensation with the help of our Chicago bike crash attorney team. A Chicago bicycle accident broken bone / fracture lawyer can evaluate your injuries, explain your legal options, and help determine whether you may have a claim for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Common Broken Bones and Fractures Caused by Bicycle Accidents
Bone fractures can be very serious bicycle accident injuries. A closed fracture occurs when the bone does not break the skin, while an open fracture breaks through the skin layer. Fractures may also be displaced or non-displaced, depending on whether the broken bone fragments have moved out of their normal alignment. While some fractures caused by a bicycle crash may be minor, others could alter your lifestyle completely.
Upper extremity bone fractures occur in the shoulders, arms, and hands. Some examples of these injuries include a dislocated shoulder, a broken clavicle, a fractured arm, or a broken wrist. Common clinical examples include clavicle fractures, distal radius fractures, and scaphoid fractures. A bicycle accident arm fracture can significantly limit a victim’s ability to work and perform everyday activities.
Lower extremity injuries involve the hips, pelvis, and legs. Fractures may affect the femur, tibia, knee, or foot, including tibial plateau fractures that can interfere with weight-bearing and mobility. Injuries to the hip or pelvis can cause serious mobility issues. A bicycle accident leg fracture may require surgery, mobility aids, and months of recovery.
While traumatic brain injuries are the most serious type of damage to the head, bone fractures can also be serious. Skull fractures, broken teeth, and facial fractures are commonly associated with accidents involving bicycle riders.
Other types of bone fractures include broken ribs, vertebral fractures, and pelvic fractures. Pelvic fractures from bicycle accidents can require extensive treatment, while spinal injuries may involve damage beyond the bones themselves. These injuries are often classified as bicycle accident orthopedic injuries because they affect the bones, joints, and musculoskeletal system.
To avoid the risk of these types of fractures, be especially careful in certain areas of Chicago.
Busy corridors such as Michigan Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue can present significant risks for cyclists because of traffic volume, turning vehicles, intersections, and other roadway conditions. Rather than relying on isolated crash counts, the specific circumstances of a collision should be evaluated when determining how and why a bicycle accident occurred. Though you have a right to use Chicago roads, you must yield the right-of-way correctly per municipal code 9-52-040.
Common Causes of Chicago Bicycle Accidents Leading to Broken Bones
A bone breaks due to significant force, and many bicycle accidents account for these types of injuries. The cause of the accident can affect how badly the injured cyclist is hurt.
Driver Negligence causes many catastrophic injuries to bikers. Some drivers do not pay attention before making turns or stops. They also may be distracted by phones, eating, or other issues. Potholes, uneven surfaces, and debris could result in bone fractures even if you are wearing protective gear.
Your bone breaks could also be the fault of defective bicycle components or an equipment malfunction. For example, if the brake line is faulty, you may be unable to stop yourself from hitting an object. In many cases, a serious traffic collision involving a bicycle can lead to multiple fractures and long-term complications. Fractures from truck collisions may be particularly serious because the force of a commercial vehicle impact can cause multiple orthopedic injuries.
Recovery, Surgery, and Why Fracture Claims Should Not Be Settled Early
Treatment for a bicycle accident fracture depends on the location and severity of the injury. Some fractures can be treated with immobilization, while displaced or unstable fractures may require open reduction and internal fixation using plates, screws, rods, or other surgical hardware. Some hardware remains in place after healing, while painful or problematic hardware may require a later procedure for removal.
Recovery can also be affected by complications such as non-union, when a fracture does not heal as expected, or malunion, when the bone heals in an abnormal position. These complications can extend treatment and rehabilitation. Because the full outcome of a fracture may not be known immediately, accepting a settlement before the injury has adequately healed can create problems if additional treatment, surgery, or complications develop later. A Chicago bicycle accident broken bone / fracture lawyer can review the available medical evidence before you decide whether to accept an insurance offer.
Liability in a Chicago Bicycle Accident Case with Broken Bones
When you require medical treatment because of serious injuries from a bicycle crash, you could seek compensation. You must prove liability for the accident to be eligible for legal damages. Proving negligence will require evidence that the defendant had a duty of care, that they breached that duty, that their actions led to your injuries, and that you suffered legal damages.
Some areas that have higher rates of bike and motor vehicle collisions include the North Side, Western Avenue, Pulaski Road, and State Street in the Downtown Loop.
Potential defendants in a bicycle injury case include other drivers, pedestrians, business owners, property owners, dog owners, bike manufacturers, and even local governments. In Illinois, the Comparative Negligence rule states that you may be barred from recovering damages if you are found more than 50% responsible, while damages may be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault if your responsibility is 50% or less.
Steps to Take After a Chicago Bicycle Accident Resulting in Broken Bones
If you experience bone breaks after a bicycle collision, you must follow these steps to protect yourself and prepare for a Personal Injury Claim.
- Prioritize your health by seeking immediate medical attention and following all treatment plans.
- Report the accident to the Chicago Police.
- Document the accident scene with photos, videos, and eyewitness information.
- Preserve the evidence, such as your bike, helmet, and clothing.
- Keep all records of medical treatment, expenses, and lost wages.
- Do not admit fault or speak to other insurance companies before speaking to a lawyer.
Filing a Lawsuit for Broken Bones Sustained in a Chicago Bicycle Accident
If you choose to pursue a lawsuit for bone fractures after a bike accident, you should understand the basic legal process.
First, consult an experienced bicycle attorney in Chicago. They will investigate the claim and start gathering evidence. Next, they will help you file the lawsuit in Illinois courts. This will be followed by a discovery process where information and evidence are exchanged.
Finally, your lawyer will negotiate for fair compensation for your suffering and pursue a favorable Insurance Settlement whenever possible. In some cases, the claim could even proceed to a civil trial. A skilled bike accident fracture lawyer can help maximize the value of your case.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to for Broken Bones from a Bicycle Accident
Depending on the severity of your bone breaks and the fracture type, you could be eligible for compensation. Economic losses for bone fractures may include lost income, medical bills, property damage, and future medical costs. Non-economic losses may include emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.
A cyclist fracture injury claim may also include compensation for ongoing medical care, future treatment needs, and Physical Rehabilitation required during recovery. The value of a broken bone injury claim can also depend on whether surgery was required, whether plates, screws, rods, or other hardware remain in the body, whether the injury causes permanent loss of range of motion, and whether the cyclist can return to the same work. See our page on average bicycle accident settlements in Illinois for additional information about factors that can affect bicycle accident compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Chicago Bicycle Accident Claims
Illinois has a statute of limitations for bicycle accident injury lawsuits that lasts for two years after the date of the incident. (735 ILCS 5/13-202) This means you will typically have two years to file a claim after the accident occurs.
Exceptions and different deadlines may apply depending on the facts and parties involved, so the applicable deadline should be confirmed for each case.
Why You Need an Experienced Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Broken Bone Injuries
An experienced bike accident lawyer can increase your chances of success. They will help you prove liability and assess all damages. When dealing with insurance companies and defense lawyers, your attorney will know how to negotiate.
A Chicago bicycle accident broken bone / fracture lawyer knows what it takes to protect your rights as a biker under municipal code 9-52-010 and maximize compensation for bone fractures.
Speak With a Chicago Broken Bone Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today!
Our law firm is prepared to safeguard your rights and pursue compensation, whether you have suffered from spiral fractures, surgical procedures, or other types of fractures from a bike crash. Our Illinois bike crash attorney team has secured many settlements for injured bicyclists and can do the same for you. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case. Speaking with a Chicago bicycle accident broken bone / fracture lawyer before accepting an insurance settlement can help you evaluate the extent of your injuries, preserve valuable evidence, and consider future medical needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What broken bones are common in bicycle accidents?
Common injuries include wrist fractures, arm fractures, leg fractures, broken ribs, facial fractures, and collarbone injuries. These fractures often occur when cyclists are thrown from their bikes during collisions.
2. Can a bicycle accident cause serious fractures?
Yes. Bicycle accidents can cause serious fractures ranging from simple breaks to complex orthopedic injuries. High-impact crashes may damage multiple bones and require surgery, hospitalization, and lengthy recovery.
3. What should I do after suffering a fracture in a bicycle accident?
Seek immediate medical treatment, follow your doctor’s recommendations, report the accident, document evidence, and contact an attorney. Prompt action helps protect your health and supports your claim.
4. Can I recover compensation for broken bones after a bicycle accident?
Yes. Injured cyclists may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, rehabilitation costs, and other accident-related financial losses.
5. How much is a bicycle accident fracture claim worth?
Claim value depends on injury severity, treatment costs, lost wages, recovery time, liability, and long-term effects. Surgery, retained hardware, permanent loss of range of motion, and an inability to return to the same work can also affect the value of a fracture claim.
6. Who is liable for broken bone injuries in a bicycle accident?
Liability may rest with negligent drivers, property owners, manufacturers, government entities, or others whose actions contributed to the accident and resulting injuries.
7. What evidence helps support a fracture injury claim?
Medical records, diagnostic imaging, accident reports, witness statements, photographs, expert opinions, treatment documentation, and proof of financial losses can strengthen your injury claim.
8. Can broken bones require surgery after a bicycle accident?
Yes. Severe fractures may require surgery to stabilize bones using plates, screws, rods, or other devices. Surgical cases often involve extended recovery and rehabilitation.
9. Should I settle my claim before my fracture has fully healed?
Generally, you should understand the full extent of your injury before accepting a final settlement. Fracture complications, including non-union, malunion, or problems involving surgical hardware, may become apparent later. A signed settlement and release can permanently resolve the claim, so the timing of an offer should be evaluated carefully with your attorney.
Legally Reviewed By
Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld
Reviewed by Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld The material on this page has been legally reviewed by Attorney Jonathan Rosenfeld of Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC. Mr. Rosenfeld and his team have experience representing injured cyclists in bicycle accident cases in Chicago. With a focus on personal injury law, they help bicycle accident victims understand their legal options and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from their injuries.
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