Arlington Heights Pedestrian and Bicycle Injury Lawyer

Attorney For Bicyclists and Pedestrians Struck By Cars in Cook County

Drivers and passengers are not the only people at risk of injury due to the negligence of another driver. Unsafe driving behavior is a danger to everyone on the road, and this includes pedestrians and bicyclists. In Illinois, bicyclists and pedestrians account for almost 20 percent of motor vehicle accident fatalities and around 8 percent of injuries. Victims may have little physical protection from the force of being struck by a vehicle, but they do have legal protections that allow them to pursue compensation for their injuries.

At Adler Law Offices, LTD., we believe that injured pedestrians and bicyclists are deserving of the same level of care and quality legal representation as any other victim of a car crash. We strive to help you achieve fair compensation, and we only charge a fee when we succeed in recovering damages. With Attorney Charles Adler's decades of legal experience, he understands the unique aspects of cases involving injuries to non-occupants of vehicles, and he can guide you through the best course of action.

What Causes Pedestrian and Bike Accidents in Illinois?

Many different factors can contribute to a situation in which a car or motor vehicle strikes a pedestrian or bicyclist. Some of the most common include:

• Lack of visibility - Due to their small size compared to most motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists can be more difficult for drivers to see at any time of day, but especially at night or in weather conditions when visibility is low.
• Failure to yield the right of way - In Illinois, bicyclists are subject to many of the same traffic laws and rules as motor vehicle drivers, so other drivers are required to yield the right of way at intersections accordingly. Pedestrians have the right of way at crosswalks, especially when they have a walk signal. Drivers who fail to respect these right of way rules or who do not leave sufficient space between their car and a pedestrian or bicycle often cause accidents.
• Speeding - Drivers who travel at unsafe speeds in congested urban areas, residential areas, school zones, or road work zones may fail to notice pedestrians and bicyclists or lack the time to react to avoid a collision.
• Distraction - Drivers who are using a cell phone or otherwise taking their eyes and attention away from the road can also fail to see a pedestrian or bicyclist in their path.
• Alcohol - The physical and mental impairments of alcohol intoxication can exacerbate any of these other risk factors and make an accident more likely.

While many bicyclist and pedestrian injuries are caused by a driver's negligence, contributory negligence on the part of the injury victim is a possibility. As a pedestrian or bicyclist, you should be sure to take every precaution possible to reduce your risk of being injured and ensure that if you are injured, you are entitled to the greatest compensation possible for your damages. This means you should obey traffic laws and signs, use lights and bright clothing to make yourself more visible, and avoid walking or biking on the road when you are drunk or distracted yourself.

Compensation for Bike and Pedestrian Injuries

Personal injury claims for injuries to bicyclists and pedestrians proceed in much the same way as other car accident cases. It is important to get prompt medical attention and hire an attorney to start building your case for a driver's negligence using witness testimony and evidence from the scene of the collision. Because injuries in these cases are often severe, the compensation available may be substantial, including for all of your medical expenses, lost income due to an extended recovery period or long-term disability, and pain and suffering.

Contact a Chicago Bike and Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you have been injured as a pedestrian or bicyclist, we can help you start working toward compensation through a settlement or trial. For a free consultation, contact us at 847-394-0100 or 312-236-2700. We represent clients in Chicago and the north and northwest suburbs in Cook County, including Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Mount Prospect, Skokie, and surrounding areas.