Riding a bicycle on the roads around Fulton Market may be an enjoyable way to get exercise, but it could also be dangerous. Cars and trucks collide with cyclists all too often, and the cyclists often suffer serious injuries.
If you have been hurt while cycling, a Fulton Market bicycle accident lawyer could help. Negligent parties must pay the damages of those they injure. With the help of an injury attorney, you could get compensation to cover your medical bills, missed time at work, and other losses.
Cycling Crashes Could Cause Devastating Injuries
Cycling clothes offer no protection, and the state does not require adults to wear helmets, so bike riders are vulnerable to severe injuries if they collide with another vehicle, even at low speeds.
Injuries cyclists commonly sustain in vehicle collisions could lead to permanent alterations in the cyclist’s lifestyle. Some of the most common bike crash injuries include:
- Neck hyperextension
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Road rash—friction burns to the skin
- Bone fractures, especially of the wrist and shoulder
- Facial injuries that could lead to permanent disfigurement
- Spinal cord damage and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
An injured cyclist might require surgery to repair broken bones and significant physical therapy to regain functioning. Some damage, like traumatic brain injuries, might impact the cyclist’s ability to live independently. Additionally, the emotional impact of a crash can be devastating to a cyclist’s psyche. Fortunately, a Fulton Market bike crash attorney could be of assistance in getting you the financial recovery you need.
Negligence Creates Obligation to Pay Damages
To receive compensation after an accident, the injured person must prove someone else was negligent, meaning they failed to use reasonable care to ensure the safety of others. Proving negligence requires an injured person to demonstrate that someone else breached an obligation to them, and they were injured as a direct result of the breach.
When a car and a cyclist collide, the driver is often the negligent party. They might have been driving too fast, distracted with food or their cell phone, impaired by intoxicants, or simply inattentive.
However, there could be other factors that contribute to a bike wreck. If mechanical failure was an issue, the manufacturer of the defective part could be liable for the cyclist’s injuries. If poor road conditions led to the accident, the local government responsible for maintaining it might have been negligent as well. An experienced accident lawyer in Fulton Market could investigate a bike crash to identify all potentially negligent parties and seek damages from them.
Be Aware of the Statute of Limitations
735 Illinois Compiled Statutes § 5/13-202 requires an injured cyclist to file a lawsuit seeking damages within two years of the date of their injury, which is a relatively brief time for a plaintiff’s attorney to gather evidence and build a robust case. Even though most injury claims settle before the plaintiff files a lawsuit, the injured person will likely achieve a better result if the responsible parties know a lawsuit is possible.
If poor road maintenance contributed to the crash, or if an involved driver was a government employee who was on the clock at the time of the accident, the plaintiff could have a claim against a state or local government. In that case, quick action is critical. State law requires an injured person to either file a lawsuit or a notice of claim within one year of the incident.
Trust a Fulton Market Attorney to Pursue Your Bike Accident Claim
Achieving a reasonable settlement after an accident that resulted in serious injuries often requires an onerous effort. A legal professional is best suited to handle this task while you concentrate on healing and moving forward with your life.
A Fulton Market bicycle accident lawyer could direct negotiations with the responsible parties and persist until you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a consultation with a committed advocate today.