Illinois Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents Attorney
The disregard that some drivers have for pedestrians and cyclists can be shocking. They often fail to yield the right-of-way, make unsafe lane changes, or drive distractedly. Worse, claim payouts for pedestrian and bicycle accidents are often much lower than those for other vehicle accidents, leaving victims and their families struggling to make ends meet.
We are dedicated to leveling the playing field for victims of pedestrian and bicycle accidents. We achieve this by thoroughly investigating each case to identify all possible sources of compensation, aggressively pursuing all liable parties, and fighting for the full and fair recovery our clients deserve.
Contact us for a free consultation if you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian or bicycle accident. We will review your case and advise you of your legal options. There is no risk and no obligation.
We Only Get Paid if We Recover Compensation for You
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. You will never be charged an hourly rate or upfront fees. We front all costs associated with pursuing your claim, and we only recoup our costs if we are successful in getting you compensated.
Injuries that we can Help You Recover Compensation For
No matter the severity of your injuries, we will work diligently to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
Some of the types of injuries our clients have sustained in pedestrian and bicycle accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Joint damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Head injuries/trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputee injuries
- Burns
- Road rash
If a pedestrian or bicycle accident ends up being fatal, we can help the surviving family members file a wrongful death claim. These claims are designed to help ease the financial burden that has been placed on the family, and they can recover compensation for funeral expenses, lost wages, and more.
Proving Liability in a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident Case
To recover compensation after a pedestrian or bicycle accident, you will need to prove that the other party was at fault. The best way to do this is by working with an experienced attorney who can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf.
Evidence can be in the form of:
- The police report
- Witness statements
- Photographs and/or video footage
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction reports
After the evidence has been gathered, your attorney will work to prove that the other party was negligent in some way.
This can be evident through:
- Violation of traffic laws
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
In some cases, one party will clearly be at fault. However, there are times when multiple parties may be found at fault. For example, if a drunk driver hits a pedestrian, the driver and the establishment serving them alcohol may be held liable.
Once liability has been established, your attorney will work to prove the extent of your damages. This will include all medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. After damages have been totaled, your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to get you the full and fair compensation you deserve. If a settlement cannot be reached, your case will go to trial.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Compensation Options
The amount of compensation you may be entitled to will depend on the severity of your injuries and the damages you have incurred.
Some of the types of compensation our clients have recovered include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Permanent disability
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
In cases where someone else’s negligence caused the accident, you may also be able to recover punitive damages. These are designed to punish the at-fault party and deter future negligent behavior.
What to do After a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident in Illinois
If you have been involved in a pedestrian or bicycle accident, there are some important steps you should take to protect your rights:
- Seek medical attention: Even if you think your injuries are minor, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, such as concussions and spinal cord injuries, may not show symptoms immediately.
- Do not give a statement to the insurance company: The insurance adjuster may try to get you to give a recorded statement. It is important to avoid doing this, as anything you say could be used against you later.
- Do not sign any documents: The insurance company may try to get you to sign a release of liability. This will waive your right to file a claim in the future.
- Do not post about your accident on social media: Anything you post on social media, such as Facebook or Twitter, could be used against you later.
- Contact an experienced attorney: An experienced pedestrian or bicycle accident attorney can help you understand your rights and options. They will also handle all communication with the insurance company so you can focus on your recovery.
Even if you think your injuries are minor, speaking with an experienced pedestrian or bicycle accident attorney is important. You may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Hit and Run Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents
Unfortunately, not all drivers are willing to stop and take responsibility for their actions.
If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, there are some important steps you should take:
- Call the police: The police will create a report of the accident. This can be used as evidence later.
- Get the driver’s information: If you were able to get the license plate number of the car, the police may be able to track down the driver.
- Speak to witnesses: If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information. They may be able to provide valuable testimony later.
- Take pictures: If you have a camera or smartphone, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your property.
- Contact an experienced attorney: An Illinois hit-and-run attorney can help you establish liability and file a claim against the driver’s insurance company.
Even the most straightforward pedestrian or bicycle accident can be complex. Don’t go through it alone.
You Have Limited Time to Take Action
It is important to act quickly after a pedestrian or bicycle accident. In Illinois, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will be prevented from recovering any compensation for your injuries.
Get Help from an Experienced Bicycle and Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Illinois
Hess Injury Law has represented injured pedestrian and cyclist accident victims in Illinois for over 16 years. We have a proven track record of success, having recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
We offer a free consultation so you can have your case evaluated by an experienced attorney. There are no upfront costs or fees; we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents in Illinois
Contributory negligence is a legal doctrine that can prevent an injured person from recovering compensation if they are found to be partially at fault for their accident.
In Illinois, the contributory negligence doctrine has been abolished for most personal injury claims. This means that even if you were partially at fault for your accident, you could still recover compensation as long as the other party was more than 50% at fault.
For example, if you are involved in a car accident, and the other driver is to be 80% at fault, and you are 20% at fault, you can still receive compensation from the other driver.
Yes. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help you establish liability and file a claim against the driver’s insurance company.
In Illinois, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you will be prevented from recovering any compensation for your injuries.
You can sue the driver of the car that hit you. If the driver was working at the time of the accident, you might also be able to sue their employer.
There is no “average” settlement for a pedestrian hit by a car. The compensation you are entitled to depends on the severity of your injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, and disability.
Your health insurance should cover your medical bills. However, you may also be entitled to compensation for your injuries from the driver’s insurance company. Some insurance companies will try to lowball you or deny your claim altogether. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced pedestrian and bicycle accident attorney on your side.
The settlement process is similar. However, there are some key differences. For instance, pedestrians are not required to have insurance in Illinois. This can make it more difficult to recover compensation for your injuries.
Secondly, pedestrians are not afforded the same protections as drivers. This means that the driver who hit you may try to blame you for the accident. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney can help you fight these false claims and recover the compensation you deserve.
Lastly, pedestrians are more vulnerable to serious injuries than drivers. This means that the value of your injury claim is likely to be higher.
Pedestrian negligence is when a pedestrian fails to take reasonable care to avoid being hit by a car. For instance, if you were jaywalking or walking outside of a crosswalk, the driver who hit you may try to argue that you were negligent.
However, just because you were involved in an accident does not mean you were negligent. An experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Illinois can help you fight these false claims and recover the compensation you deserve.
In some situations, pedestrians have the right of way. For instance, the driver must yield to you if you are crossing the street in a crosswalk or at a stop sign.
However, there are also situations where the pedestrian does not have the right of way. It is important to use caution when walking on the road and to be aware of your surroundings.
Yes, you can sue someone for running over your foot. However, the amount of compensation you are entitled to will depend on the severity of your injuries.
If a cyclist hits a pedestrian, the cyclist is typically at fault. However, there are some exceptions. For instance, if the pedestrian was carelessly walking on the road, the cyclist may not be held liable.