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Even if you do not own a bicycle, you can still explore the city through Chicago’s Divvy program allowing citizens to rent one of 17,000 bikes. Whether you ride a personal bike or rent one, it is important to ride in compliance with the law and follow all recommended safety precautions.
Despite the city’s increased efforts to promote safety and enjoyment on the road, bike accidents do happen. However, you can help prevent injuries by staying vigilant; do not assume a motorist sees you, and follow other bicycle safety and preventive measures in Chicago. If you are hurt in an accident, a skilled bicycle accident attorney could help you seek compensation for your injuries.
About 1,400 bike crashes occur each year in the Chicago area, some fatal and many causing severe injuries, particularly to the head, neck, and brain. The Cleveland Clinic reports that using safety gear is the number one tip all bicyclists should follow, with bike helmets reducing traumatic brain injuries by 53 percent. Despite this, four out of five riders do not wear a helmet, and Illinois law only requires delivery and messenger service personnel to wear them.
The Illinois Secretary of State does, however, publish a yearly safety guide advocating for helmet use and other Chicago bicycle safety and preventative measures, including:
These tips should be evident, but when faced with a dangerous situation, motorists and bicyclists may forget them in a panic. Many drivers also pay attention to other motorists but fail to see cyclists. Those injured in bike accidents should consult a knowledgeable attorney to discuss their legal options.
Liability for accidents is based on negligence. Both motorists and bicyclists have a duty to conduct themselves the same as a reasonable person performing the same activity would. This means driving or biking with care and staying aware of their surroundings to avoid wrecks. An intoxicated motorist, for instance, breaches their duty to drive safely, and therefore puts others at risk. If a bicyclist lawfully crosses the street and a motorist hits them, that motorist will be liable for any injuries, property damage, and lost wages suffered by the bicyclist. A Chicago lawyer could help build a case around a motorist’s failure to adhere to bicycle safety measures and prevent accidents injuring bicyclists.
It is essential that all bicyclists watch out for motorists in order to stay safe. However, you can be the most skilled bicyclist in Chicago and still be hit by a driver who does not see you, is distracted, is speeding, or is drinking and driving.
If this happens to you, get immediate medical attention and then call McCready Law. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and litigators committed to your well-being and restoring your financial health through an insurance settlement or lawsuit. Hopefully, bicycle safety and preventative measures in Chicago will keep you on two wheels for a long time, but let us help if a reckless motorist injures you.