How to File a Bike Accident Insurance Claim in Chicago

Serious bicycle accidents are all too common in Chicago. While bicycle fatalities have become increasingly rare, riders still suffer injuries on Chicago’s streets at an alarmingly high rate, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

If you were injured in a bicycle crash in Chicago, you may be able to hold the driver who hurt you accountable through a personal injury claim. In most cases, you will file this claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. When you exchange information with the driver after the crash, be sure to gather the information you need to file a claim. However, the most effective approach is to have a personal injury lawyer file it for you. Insurance companies often try to deny claims, and having an experienced bicycle crash lawyer can put you in a much stronger negotiating position.

Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has extensive experience with bike accident cases, and we know how to fight back against the tactics insurance companies use to avoid paying a bicycle accident claim. Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today for a free consultation about your case.

Here are the steps involved in the claims process for bicycle accident cases:

Contact an Experienced Bike Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

A Chicago bike accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process and help you seek compensation for the damages you sustained. They can identify the party responsible for your injuries, gather evidence to show how the accident occurred, and pursue the maximum compensation allowed under Illinois law.

Here are some of the reasons why you should contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. as soon as possible for your free consultation:

• We have a diverse team of over 20 top litigators and more than 35 supporting staff.
• We have the resources and skills to fight aggressively for our clients’ rights.
• We have obtained more than $2.5 billion on behalf of our clients.
• We obtained the highest compensatory verdict ever awarded to an individual plaintiff in Illinois.
• We are a trial law firm ready to take your case to court if the defendants refuse to pay fairly.
• We have recovered over 350 verdicts and settlements of $1 million or more.

If you want to know what it is like to work with Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., please read the story of one of our clients, a motorcyclist who lost his legs in a bike collision with a motor vehicle. Partner Jennifer L. Ashley obtained $1.5 million for his injuries.

We also obtained $2.065 million for a 20-year-old bicyclist who was struck at an intersection by a pizza delivery driver and $1.2 million for the family of a 13-year-old bicyclist killed in a collision with an ambulance.

If you have a bike accident claim in Chicago, you need an experienced bicycle accident attorney. Call us today to get started with your free, no-obligation consultation.

Determine Who Is at Fault for the Bike Crash

Before you file a personal injury lawsuit, you must determine who is legally responsible for your injuries. Negligent drivers are often responsible for a bicycle crash, but other parties can also be liable, including the following:

• A bike rental company that fails to provide helmets with its bicycles, as in one case where we obtained $700,000 for our client
• The driver’s employer, if their actions contributed to the driver’s negligence
• A government agency that failed to maintain the road, resulting in a crash
• The bicycle manufacturer, if a faulty part caused the crash.

An experienced attorney from our firm can review your case and determine who is responsible for your injuries.

Determine the Insurance Coverage Available

Once your attorney has determined who is liable for your injuries, the next step is determining what coverage is available. Usually, you file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, but other sources of compensation can include:

• Your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if the driver is uninsured or does not carry enough insurance to cover all your costs
• The insurance coverage of other liable parties, such as a bike rental company or government entity

Determine Your Financial Damages

After a bicycle crash in Illinois, you can collect damages for losses such as:

• Your medical bills from the crash
• Ongoing medical care
• Your economic losses, such as lost wages and loss of earning potential
• Property damage
• Your physical pain and suffering
• Your emotional distress
• Your diminished quality of life

According to the Illinois Department of Insurance, you can claim compensation for your losses if you were under 50 percent responsible for the crash, per Illinois’ comparative negligence system. However, the court will reduce your compensation based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20 percent responsible for the crash, you can only collect 80 percent of the compensation you would otherwise have been able to collect.

Negotiate for Fair Compensation

Negotiating with insurance adjusters is not always easy. Insurance companies do everything they can to delay, minimize, or deny claims. One of their common strategies is to make a lowball offer and pressure you to take it, hoping to avoid paying a much larger amount if they lose the case in court. That’s why it is so important to have a skilled Chicago bicycle accident attorney on your side. An experienced lawyer will know how to prepare your case for trial and negotiate from a position of strength.

Take Timely Legal Action

Don’t wait too long to take legal action after a bicycle crash in Illinois. The statute of limitations gives you only two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you attempt to file suit after the deadline, the judge will likely dismiss the case as untimely. Two years might seem like a long period, but your lawyer needs time to investigate the case and negotiate for a fair settlement. It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Call an Experienced Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard for a Free Consultation

Don’t worry if you are unsure how to file a bike accident insurance claim in Chicago. Your personal injury lawyer with Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. can file the claim for you and will have the skill, experience, and legal knowledge needed to hold negligent drivers accountable.

We offer a free consultation to discuss your case and ensure you understand your legal options. If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle crash in Chicago, Illinois, contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. today. You can speak with an experienced bicycle accident attorney in Chicago who has a track record of obtaining successful recoveries in bicycle collisions and other personal injury cases.