Wheaton Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Seek Compensation for Bicycle Accident Injuries in Wheaton, IL

Biking is a growing trend in Wheaton, Illinois, and throughout the state. Bicycle accidents are becoming more frequent as more people use these vehicles to get around the area. If you are involved in a collision and get injured, a Wheaton bicycle accident lawyer can help you pursue compensation.

At Chicago Bike Injury Lawyers, we know what it takes to prove negligence, assess damages, and fight for a fair settlement. Our attorneys will stand by your side and guide you through the claims process. 

Settlements & Verdicts Recovered by Our Bicycle Accident Law Firm Serving Wheaton

Our firm has secured numerous bicycle accident settlements for past clients, including:

$2,250,000 – Claire was struck by a vehicle while biking to work in Wheaton, suffering a traumatic head injury. Her uninsured motorist coverage paid the settlement, reflecting the severity of her brain injury.

$1,000,000 – Lindsey, age 26, suffered a torn rotator cuff when a driver opened his door into her bike near Wheaton College. The violation of a city ordinance and her lasting impairment increased the case value.

$760,000 Settlement – While stopped at a red light on Roosevelt Road, David was rear-ended by a distracted driver. The settlement reflected his neck and back injuries and the driver’s clear inattention.

Why Choose Our Wheaton Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Our top-rated attorneys have the experience necessary to fight for compensation on your behalf. The law firm has maintained an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and our experienced attorneys are recognized among the top 5% by Super Lawyers. 

Types of Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle

Filing a personal injury lawsuit can be challenging after a bicycle accident, but our firm has handled many types of collisions in the past, such as:

• Dooring Accidents – Dooring accidents occur when a biker is hit by someone opening a car door as the biker passes by. 
• Right– and Left-Hook Collisions – When drivers fail to look around before making right or left turns, they can cause hook collisions with bicyclists. 
• Hit-and-Run Incidents – A driver who collides with a biker and flees the scene is guilty of a hit-and-run. 
• Bus or Truck Accidents – Crashes that involve bikes and trucks or other large vehicles like buses can cause severe injuries or death. 
• E-Bike and E-Scooter Accidents – In Wheaton, people who use e-bikes and e-scooters are also in danger of catastrophic injuries from traffic accidents. 
• Delivery and Messenger Crashes – Some bicyclists use their vehicles to deliver food and other packages, but they are at risk of accidents while delivering.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes in Wheaton?

Wheaton personal injury cases that involve bicycle accidents depend heavily on the cause of the collision to establish liability. 

Here are some common causes of bike accidents in this area:

• Speeding
• Failing to yield to bike lanes or bicyclists
• Distracted driving (on the phone, eating, personal hygiene tasks, unruly passengers)
• Opening car doors near cyclists

What Serious Injuries Are Associated with Bike Crashes?

A Wheaton bicycle accident can have severe consequences for the victim, especially if they are hit by a larger vehicle. 

Here are some common injuries cited in personal injury cases:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Nerve damage
• Internal bleeding
• Road rash
• Facial injuries
• Amputations
• Soft tissue injuries

What Damages Can Injured Bicyclists Recover in a Personal Injury Claim?

There are two primary reasons for pursuing a claim with the help of Wheaton personal injury attorneys: recovering compensation and seeking justice for someone else’s negligence. Here are some common legal damages in bicycle accident lawsuits:

• Lost wages
• Future lost income
• Medical expenses
• Future medical costs
• Property damage
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of normal life
• Punitive damages

What Is the Average Bicycle Accident Payout in Illinois?

In Illinois, the average bicycle accident settlement is roughly $708,000, with a range from $5,000 to $8 million. Factors that can affect the injured person’s payout include injury severity, insurance company policies, liability, and available evidence. 

Why You Need a Wheaton Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other injuries, your negligence claim can face numerous challenges:

• Stubborn defendants
• Legal defense teams
• Large corporations or insurance carriers
• Filing correctly in DuPage County Circuit Court
• Navigating local Wheaton laws

A Wheaton bicycle accident lawyer can make all the difference in overcoming these challenges. 

How Common Are Bike Crashes in Wheaton, Illinois?

In 2023, there were eight recorded Wheaton bicycle accidents according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Seven of these crashes resulted in injuries, though none were fatal. 

Where Do Bike Accidents Occur Most Often in Wheaton?

Although a bike accident can occur anywhere in Wheaton, some locations are more dangerous than others:

• Downtown Wheaton, Danada Square East, and near the Wheaton College campus due to driver attention
• Recreational routes like the Illinois Prairie Path due to right and left-turn collisions
• Commuting areas near College Avenue Metra Station, typically involving dooring accidents

What Laws Govern Bicycle Accident Claims in Wheaton, Illinois?

• Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/) – All traffic laws also apply to bicyclists.
• Municipal Code Section 70-511 – All bicyclists in Wheaton can register their vehicles with the local police department.
• Municipal code Section 70-514 – Bicycles must not be operated on sidewalks anywhere in the business district. 

How Long Do Injured Victims Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Illinois?

After a serious accident, injured bicyclists have a certain time limit to file a claim and pursue compensation for legal damages in an Illinois personal injury case:

• 735 ILCS 5/13-202 – Adult victims of personal injuries have two years from the date of the incident or the date of discovery of injuries to take legal action. 
• 735 ILCS 5/13-211 – This law pauses the statute of limitations until the child turns 18 years old. 
• 740 ILCS 180/ – After a bicyclist’s death, surviving family members have two years to pursue wrongful death damages. 

How Do You Determine Liability for a Motor Vehicle Accident Involving a Bicycle?

Potential defendants that the injured party could sue include:

• A negligent driver who didn’t check their blind spots
• A trucking company whose employee turned into a bike lane
• A rideshare driver who was speeding
• A public agency for a crash caused by a road defect

Common Defenses in Car Accident Cases Involving Cyclists

An injury victim could face common defenses like:

• The cyclist was not in a bike lane
• They weren’t wearing a helmet
• Another party shares fault for the crash

A Wheaton bicycle accident lawyer will overcome these tactics with witness statements, accident reconstructions, surveillance footage, and other evidence. 

How to Strengthen Your Wheaton Bicycle Accident Case

The following steps will help you build a strong claim:

• Seek immediate medical care
• Document the scene
• Preserve damaged possessions
• Report the accident to the Wheaton Police Department
• Consult our Illinois law firm early to protect your rights

How a Wheaton Lawyer Can Help

An Illinois bicycle accident lawyer from our team can provide the following legal strategy for your case:

• Investigating the at-fault driver
• Gathering critical evidence
• Identifying all responsible parties
• Assessing damages
• Negotiating with insurers
• Litigating in civil court

Book a Free Case Evaluation

A top personal injury attorney is ready to believe in your case and pursue fair compensation for your legal damages. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless we win. 

Our Chicago bike accident law firm also offers a free consultation so you can ask questions about Illinois law, hit-and-run cases, or establishing liability. Contact us today at 312-646-3708 to schedule your no-obligation consultation.