Des Plaines Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Riding a bike in and around Des Plaines should be an enjoyable experience. Whether you are commuting near Oakton Street, cycling along the Des Plaines River Trail, or riding through the neighborhoods close to O’Hare International Airport, you share the road with fast-moving cars, delivery trucks, and distracted drivers every day. When a crash happens, the results can be devastating. Broken bones, head injuries, and spinal damage are common. Medical bills pile up fast. And the insurance company on the other side is already working to protect their driver, not you. That is why having a skilled Chicago personal injury lawyer in your corner matters from day one.

Table of Contents

• Bicycle Accidents in Des Plaines and the Greater Chicago Area
• Illinois Laws That Protect Cyclists in Des Plaines
• Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents Near Des Plaines
• What Illinois Law Says About Compensation and Liability
• Steps to Take After a Bicycle Crash in Des Plaines
• FAQs About Des Plaines Bicycle Accident Claims

Bicycle Accidents in Des Plaines and the Greater Chicago Area

Des Plaines is a busy suburb just northwest of Chicago, sitting at the crossroads of I-90, I-294, and several heavily traveled surface roads. Cyclists here deal with aggressive rush-hour traffic, limited bike lane infrastructure, and drivers who are not always watching for people on bikes. The problem is bigger than just one suburb.

Crashes involving pedalcyclists accounted for 1.1% of total crashes in Illinois in 2024, 3.4% of fatal crashes, and 4.7% of injury crashes. Those numbers tell a real story. Cyclists make up a small share of road users, but they are disproportionately represented in serious and fatal crashes. According to data reported by IDOT, the number of fatal bicycle crashes in Illinois increased from 12 in 2019 to 41 in 2023, and preliminary data from 2024 notes that 35 bicyclists died on Illinois roads.

Think about what that means for cyclists in the Des Plaines area. You might be riding along the North Branch Trail near Allison Woods, crossing Lee Street, or heading toward downtown Des Plaines on Miner Street, and a single careless driver can change your life in an instant. Pedalcyclists account for 5% of all serious (A-level) injuries in Illinois crashes. When you factor in that cyclists have no metal frame protecting them, the risk of serious harm is obvious.

Bike riders near O’Hare face extra dangers. Heavy commercial and freight traffic, rideshare drivers, and delivery vehicles crowd the roads around the airport. Intersections along Mannheim Road and Devon Avenue are particularly hazardous for cyclists. If you were hurt in any of these areas, the attorneys at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg want to hear from you.

Illinois Laws That Protect Cyclists in Des Plaines

Illinois law gives cyclists clear rights on the road. Understanding those rights is the first step toward protecting yourself and your claim after a crash. Traffic laws apply to persons riding bicycles, and bicyclists riding on a highway are granted all of the rights and are subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle, with certain exceptions. That means you have the right to be on the road, and drivers must respect that.

One of the most important protections for cyclists is the three-foot passing rule. Drivers are required to pass people on bicycles with at least 3 feet of space and at a slow speed. When a driver passes too close and clips a cyclist, that is a clear violation of Illinois law. A motorist shall not, in a reckless manner, drive unnecessarily close to, toward, or near a bicyclist, and depending on whether great bodily harm results, this is a Class A misdemeanor or a Class 3 Felony.

Drivers also cannot block or park in bike lanes. Drivers are prohibited from stopping or parking in a designated bike lane. When a driver parks in a bike lane and forces a cyclist into traffic, and that cyclist is then hit by another vehicle, the driver who blocked the lane may share liability for the crash.

Illinois also requires drivers involved in crashes to stop and stay at the scene. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-401, any driver involved in a crash resulting in personal injury must immediately stop at the scene and remain there until all required steps are completed. A driver who flees the scene after hitting a cyclist commits a Class 4 felony at minimum, and a Class 1 felony if someone dies. If you were the victim of a hit-and-run near Des Plaines, this law matters to your case.

Illinois law also recently updated the definition of what counts as a bicycle. Illinois law now defines low-speed e-bikes and tricycles as bicycles, which means riders on e-bikes have the same legal protections as traditional cyclists in the event of a crash. If you were riding an e-bike when you were hurt, you still have full rights to pursue compensation.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents Near Des Plaines

Most bicycle crashes near Des Plaines are not random events. They happen because of specific, preventable behavior by drivers or property owners. Knowing the common causes helps you understand who may be responsible for your injuries.

Distracted driving is a leading cause. A driver scrolling through their phone on Touhy Avenue or Lee Street may never even see you before the impact. Dooring is another common hazard, especially near commercial areas in downtown Des Plaines. Many bicycle accidents result from “dooring,” which is when a driver opens their door into a bicycle or pedestrian lane without looking. This happens constantly near restaurants, shops, and parking areas.

Left and right hook collisions are also frequent. A driver turning left across your path, or turning right without checking for a cyclist alongside them, can cause serious injuries. Speeding is a factor in many crashes too. Speeding is a common cause of traffic fatalities, and better enforcement of speed limit laws can reduce the number of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities.

Road conditions also cause crashes. Potholes, cracked pavement, missing signage, and poorly maintained bike paths can send a rider flying. The Des Plaines River Trail and connecting paths see heavy use. When a government entity or property owner fails to maintain a path or road in a safe condition, they may be liable under the Illinois Premises Liability Act (740 ILCS 130). That law sets the standard of care owed to people using property, and when that standard is not met, injured cyclists can pursue a claim.

Truck and commercial vehicle crashes are especially dangerous near the industrial corridors close to I-90 and the O’Hare area. Large trucks have significant blind spots, and cyclists riding near them face real danger. Truck collisions, particularly with light trucks, are among the top causes of bicyclist fatalities. Our Chicago bike accident lawyer team has handled cases involving commercial vehicles and knows how to pursue claims against trucking companies and their insurers.

What Illinois Law Says About Compensation and Liability

After a bicycle crash, you want to know one thing: can you recover money for what happened to you? The answer depends on who was at fault and to what degree. Illinois uses a modified comparative fault system. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the crash, you cannot recover damages. But if you are 49% or less at fault, you can still recover, though your award is reduced by your percentage of fault.

When multiple parties share fault, Illinois law under 735 ILCS 5/2-1117 lays out how liability is divided. All defendants found liable are jointly and severally liable for a plaintiff’s past and future medical and medically related expenses. Any defendant whose fault is less than 25% of the total fault is only severally liable for other damages. Any defendant whose fault is 25% or greater is jointly and severally liable for all other damages. In plain terms, this means that if a driver, a municipality, and a property owner all contributed to your crash, each can be held responsible for their share, and in some cases, you can collect the full amount from any one of them.

The damages you can pursue include medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage. Under 735 ILCS 5/13-205, you have up to five years to recover damages for property damage to your bicycle. For personal injury claims, the standard two-year statute of limitations applies in most cases. Do not wait to take action. Evidence fades, witnesses move on, and insurance companies use delay against you.

If a loved one was killed in a bicycle crash, the Illinois Wrongful Death Act (740 ILCS 180) allows surviving family members to bring a claim for their loss. This includes compensation for grief, loss of companionship, and financial support the deceased would have provided. These cases are difficult emotionally and legally, and having the right attorney makes a real difference. Our team at Briskman Briskman & Greenberg handles wrongful death cases with the care and attention they deserve.

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Crash in Des Plaines

What you do in the hours and days after a bicycle crash can have a major impact on your case. Here are the steps that matter most.

First, call 911. You want a police report documenting the crash. Under Illinois law, a driver involved in a crash resulting in personal injury must stop at the scene. A police report creates an official record of what happened, which is critical evidence. If the driver leaves, report it to police immediately.

Second, get medical attention right away. Even if you feel okay, injuries like traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, and spinal damage may not show symptoms immediately. Seeing a doctor creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the crash. Insurance companies look for gaps in treatment to argue your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.

Third, document everything. Take photos of the scene, your injuries, your damaged bike, skid marks, and any road defects. Get the names and contact information of witnesses. If the crash happened near a business with security cameras, those recordings may capture what happened.

Fourth, do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that reduce or eliminate your claim. You have no obligation to speak with them.

Fifth, contact Briskman Briskman & Greenberg. Our attorneys handle bicycle accident cases across the Chicago area, including Des Plaines and Cook County. We know the local roads, the courts at the Daley Center in downtown Chicago, and the tactics insurance companies use. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. If you or someone you know was injured on a bike, call us today for a free consultation. Our bicycle accident attorney team is ready to fight for the full compensation you deserve.

FAQs About Des Plaines Bicycle Accident Claims

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Illinois?

In most personal injury cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit in Illinois. If your bicycle was damaged, you have up to five years to pursue a property damage claim under 735 ILCS 5/13-205. Missing these deadlines can cost you your right to any compensation, so contact an attorney as soon as possible after a crash.

Can I still recover money if I was partly at fault for the crash?

Yes, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Illinois follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you were, for example, 20% at fault and the driver was 80% at fault, your compensation is reduced by 20%. The key is having an attorney who can build the strongest possible case showing the driver’s responsibility for what happened.

What if the driver who hit me did not have insurance?

This is a real concern in Illinois. If the driver who hit you was uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to make a claim under your own auto insurance policy if you have uninsured motorist coverage. You may also have claims against other parties, such as a municipality for a road defect or a property owner for a hazardous condition. An attorney can identify all available sources of recovery in your specific situation.

What damages can I recover after a bicycle accident in Des Plaines?

You can pursue compensation for medical bills, future medical treatment, lost income, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and damage to your bicycle and other personal property. In cases involving extreme recklessness, punitive damages may also be available. The total value of your claim depends on the severity of your injuries, how they affect your daily life and ability to work, and the strength of the evidence supporting your case.

Do I need a lawyer for a bicycle accident claim, or can I handle it myself?

You have the right to handle your own claim, but it is rarely in your best interest to do so. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and attorneys working to minimize what they pay. Without legal representation, you are likely to settle for far less than your case is worth. A personal injury attorney who handles bicycle accident cases understands how to value your claim, gather evidence, negotiate with insurers, and take the case to trial if necessary. At Briskman Briskman & Greenberg, there is no fee unless we win your case.

More Resources About Vehicle Injuries

• Dangerous Roads & Intersections in Des Plaines
• Des Plaines Car Accident Lawyer
• Des Plaines Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer
• Des Plaines Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
• Des Plaines Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
• Des Plaines Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
• Des Plaines Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
• Des Plaines Truck Accident Attorney
• Des Plaines Uber Accident Lawyer
• Des Plaines Lyft Accident Lawyer
• Des Plaines Uninsured Motorist Accident Lawyer