Cyclists share the road with motor vehicles every day, yet they have very little protection when a collision occurs. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you could be eligible to file a personal injury claim and recover compensation for your medical bills and other damages. An experienced St. Charles accident lawyer can help you get the money you need.
Feagans Law Group has decades of combined experience helping bicyclists recover compensation after serious bicycle crashes. We can help you hold the at-fault driver fully accountable. Call us today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your case.
Why Hire Feagans Law Group After a Bicycle Crash in St. Charles?
Bicycle crash cases require dedicated representation that knows how to prove an at-fault driver negligently caused your crash. Clients in St. Charles turn to Feagans Law Group because:
- Our attorneys have decades of trial and negotiation experience in personal injury cases
- We have obtained tens of millions for clients injured in motor vehicle accidents and other incidents
- We are available to assist accident victims 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- We provide personalized client service and never treat you like a case number
- We work on a contingency fee basis and never charge attorney fees unless we win.
Contact us today to schedule a free case review with an experienced St. Charles bicycle accident attorney.
Why Hire a St. Charles Bicycle Accident Attorney to Help With Your Claim
Bicycle accident cases are often high-value injury claims with large damage awards potentially in play. Insurers make a habit of defending these claims and challenging riders’ right to compensation. Without qualified legal representation, you may end up with less than you deserve.
An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in St. Charles can help protect your interests by:
- Conducting a detailed investigation into how the crash occurred
- Gathering key evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage
- Identifying all responsible parties, including negligent drivers or vehicle owners
- Calculating your damages and losses
- Consulting accident reconstruction experts and financial specialists when necessary
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Filing a lawsuit and taking the case to trial if fair compensation is not offered
Call Feagans Law Group today to learn more about how an attorney can help you recover full compensation in your bicycle accident case.
What Are Some Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in St. Charles?
Many bicycle accidents occur because drivers fail to exercise reasonable care around cyclists, such as by overlooking bicyclists or underestimating how quickly they approach.
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield at intersections
- Unsafe lane changes
- Opening car doors into the path of a cyclist (“dooring” accidents)
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Unsafe construction zones
- Poor road conditions
In many cases, these accidents have more than one cause. If you were struck by a negligent driver, an attorney can help you prove the cause and how the accident happened.
What Injuries Occur in St. Charles Bicycle Accidents?
Cyclists are vulnerable during traffic collisions. Riders have minimal protection in the event of a crash; helmets are simply not enough to protect riders from a 2,500-3,500 lb vehicle.
Accordingly, bicycle accidents regularly cause catastrophic injuries like:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Severe road rash
- Broken bones
- Facial injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal bleeding
These injuries can disrupt every aspect of a victim’s life and trigger the need for long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation. If this describes you, you deserve compensation for the effects of your accident and how it has impacted your life.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Bicycle Accident in Illinois?
Illinois law allows you to pursue compensation for your economic and non-economic damages after a bicycle accident. These damages are intended to compensate you for the financial and personal impact of your injuries, both those in the present and those you’ll experience in the future.
A successful bicycle accident claim may include compensation for:
- Medical bills and future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Psychological trauma
- Anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disability
- Loss of companionship
- Wrongful death damages if the accident was fatal
In rare cases involving extreme recklessness (such as drunk driving), courts may also award punitive damages intended to punish the defendant. A trusted attorney can help you determine the extent of your damages and demand the full compensation you are owed.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Share Fault for My Bicycle Crash?
Illinois uses a modified comparative fault rule to determine how damages are allocated when multiple parties share responsibility for an accident.
Under this rule, you may still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. If you are found to be more than 50% responsible, you cannot recover damages.
For example, if a court determines you were 30% responsible for the accident and your damages total $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $70,000.
You shouldn’t automatically assume that you share fault just because an insurer blames you. This is a common tactic to reduce a victim’s compensation award. An experienced attorney can help you determine if you truly share fault and minimize any attempts to blame you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Illinois?
In most bicycle accident cases, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. If the accident results in a wrongful death, the time period starts on the date of death.
If you fail to file a lawsuit within this timeframe, you may be permanently barred from recovering compensation through the legal system. There are limited exceptions.
You should get started as soon as possible to avoid issues with the statute of limitations. Call our legal team today for help.
Contact a St. Charles Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today for Assistance
If a negligent driver caused your accident, they should be held accountable for the harm they caused. The attorneys at Feagans Law Group have decades of experience helping injured cyclists throughout St. Charles. We’re ready to help you get justice.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a St. Charles bicycle accident lawyer to get started on your claim.