Key Takeaways
- Bicycle crashes in Aurora often stem from driver behavior such as distraction, speeding, impaired driving, or reckless lane changes.
- Injuries from bicycle collisions can be severe, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractures, and internal injuries.
- Injured cyclists may pursue compensation for medical costs, lost income, and the physical and emotional impact of the crash.
As the second-largest city in Illinois, Aurora sees thousands of residents and commuters on its streets every day. This heavy traffic can be risky, especially for cyclists, who are more vulnerable in collisions. Many people call these events “accidents,” but in reality, they are often the result of someone’s careless or negligent actions.
At Power Rogers, our Aurora bicycle accident lawyers understand the challenges you face after a bike crash. You may be dealing with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and time away from work while you recover. We can help you explore whether you have a personal injury claim and pursue compensation for these and other losses.
Our team has served Illinois residents since 1993 and recovered more than $6 billion for our clients. Contact us today to learn how our Aurora bicycle accident lawyers can help.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Aurora
A bicycle accident in Aurora can occur for a number of reasons. The following are some of the most common causes.
- Distracted Driving: Distractions abound in the modern world. From smartphones to GPS, it’s all too common for operators of motor vehicles to look away from the road or to take their hands off the wheel. Bicycles are already difficult to notice because they can fall into blind spots, but any of these distracted behaviors on the part of the motor vehicle operator can make an accident much more likely.
- Impaired Driving: Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol makes a driver more reckless. Their coordination and reflexes will be diminished, and they might not gauge distance or depth correctly. In some instances, they could even fall asleep at the wheel.
- Speeding: Some of the most severe bicycle accidents involve speeding drivers. Speeding makes it more difficult for drivers to stop in time to avoid a crash, and the force their vehicles will exert on impact can be much more significant. Accidents involving high speeds can result in life-altering injuries and deaths.
- Dooring: Drivers of motor vehicles often open their doors without checking whether there are cyclists or pedestrians approaching. This can knock a biker off balance and send them sprawling, putting them at further risk of injuries from others on the road.
- Reckless Drivers: Drivers who operate a vehicle with disregard for the safety of others are driving recklessly. This can involve behaviors like changing lanes without indicating, excessive speeding, tailgating, and running red lights.
- Road Conditions: The road itself can also make bicycle accidents more likely to occur. Roads that have large potholes or debris can cause cyclists to lose their balance and potentially fall or swerve into other lanes of traffic. Motor vehicles may also be impacted by road conditions. The driver could lose control of the car, prompting a crash.
- Weather Conditions: Harsh weather conditions in Aurora can impact visibility. Rain, snow, and wind can all cause drivers to struggle with seeing vulnerable road users.
Common Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle accident victims may suffer from a wide range of injuries, which are often serious due to the lack of protection they have compared to motorists. Common types of injuries our firm sees in bicycle accident cases include:
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Soft tissue injuries are those that affect your tendons, ligaments, and muscles, causing pain, stiffness, and loss of motion.
- Fractures: Hitting the pavement or having a vehicle crash directly into you could lead to broken bones, ranging from minor fractures to serious breaks that require surgery and immobilizing the impacted area.
- Road Rash: Road rash is a type of burn that occurs when a rough surface, like asphalt, scrapes against your skin, causing wounds that could scar or become infected.
- Facial Injuries: Falling as a result of a crash can mean a broken nose, eye damage, or even a jaw fracture, which is often extremely difficult to fix.
- Internal Injuries: Internal bleeding and organ damage are life-threatening injuries that can be difficult to spot right away, potentially leading to everything from hypovolemic shock to organ failure.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord damage could mean facing loss of sensation and motor function problems in various parts of your body
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even if you wear a helmet when you ride a bike, you could still hit your head hard enough to cause your brain to shift or twist, leading to chemical changes that could impact your personality, moods, and cognitive function
The medical care required for any of these injuries can be substantial. This puts a significant strain on your finances and could prevent you from doing the things that you love to do. Some injuries could require ongoing medical care for months or years, placing a burden on you that you would not have otherwise had.
If the bicycle accident occurred because of another party’s misconduct, you may have the option of filing a bicycle accident claim or lawsuit. Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers can guide you through the process.
Cyclists often suffer life-altering injuries in collisions with vehicles because they lack the protection motorists have.
Types of Compensation You Can Pursue After a Bicycle Accident
In a bicycle accident lawsuit, injured cyclists can seek compensation from the party responsible for the accident in the form of economic and non-economic damages.
- Economic damages address the tangible losses you sustained, such as medical bills from hospital stays, physical therapy sessions, and other treatment needs. If the injury is severe enough that it will require ongoing care, you can also receive coverage for these future needs. You may also receive compensation for lost income and benefits if you were too injured to work. If you can’t return to work in the same capacity or at all, you can receive compensation for your loss of earning potential.
- Non-economic damages address losses that don’t carry an obvious price tag. These include the physical and emotional distress you experienced, as well as your loss of enjoyment of life.
Why Hire an Aurora Bicycle Accident Lawyer at Power Rogers?
Bicycle accident claims are fundamentally different from standard car accident cases. Bicycle riders are more vulnerable and often suffer severe injuries, and insurers frequently argue that the rider was careless or partially at fault. Without a law firm that understands those dynamics and knows how to counter them, injured bicyclists can be left with far less compensation than they need.
At Power Rogers, our bicycle accident attorneys approach these cases with the expectation that liability will be contested and damages scrutinized. Rather than relying on quick settlements or surface-level investigations, our attorneys build cases designed to withstand pushback from insurers and defense lawyers from the outset.
When you work with our team, you benefit from:
- Early, hands-on investigation. We move quickly to preserve crash evidence, review police reports, evaluate roadway conditions, and identify witnesses before details are lost or memories fade.
- Experience with complex liability. Bicycle accidents often involve disputed fault, commercial vehicles, or multiple parties. We know how to uncover negligence and build cases that hold all responsible parties accountable.
- Trial-focused case preparation. Every case is prepared as if it will go to court. That readiness strengthens negotiations and positions your claim for its full value.
- Strategic insurance negotiation. We understand how insurers evaluate bicycle injury claims and how to challenge low offers that fail to reflect long-term medical and financial consequences.
Our goal is to pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries and supports your recovery and long-term stability.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Aurora, IL
If you’re involved in a bicycle accident in Aurora, what you do in the moments and days that follow can directly affect your ability to recover compensation. Taking the right steps helps protect both your health and your legal rights.
- Call 911 and seek medical attention. Even if your injuries seem minor, get evaluated at the scene or as soon as possible. Some bicycle injuries are not immediately apparent, and medical records play a key role in any injury claim.
- Make sure police respond and file a report. A police report creates an official record of the crash, including statements, diagrams, and initial fault determinations.
- Exchange information carefully. Get the driver’s name, contact details, insurance information, and vehicle information. Avoid discussing fault or speculating about what caused the crash.
- Document the scene. Take photos of your bicycle, the vehicle involved, road conditions, traffic signs, and visible injuries. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and contact information.
- Be cautious when speaking to insurers. Insurance companies may contact you quickly and look for statements they can use to reduce or deny your claim. You are not required to give a recorded statement.
- Contact a bicycle accident attorney. An attorney can step in early to preserve evidence, handle communications, and protect you from common insurance tactics.
Acting promptly can make a meaningful difference in the strength of your claim. Avoid admitting fault to anyone, including police or insurers, and focus on getting medical care and legal guidance as soon as possible.
Aurora Bicycle Accident Lawyer: FAQs
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Lawsuits in Illinois?
The amount of time you have to file a lawsuit can change depending on various factors such as the parties involved, when the injury was discovered, and whether the injured person is a minor. Because missing the statute of limitations can bar your case entirely, it’s important to speak with an attorney promptly.
Do I Still Have a Case if I Was Involved in a Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accident?
You may be able to file a claim if the police are able to identify the driver. However, even if the driver cannot be identified, you may be able to file a claim under your own auto insurance policy if you have one. Auto insurance policies in Illinois are required to include uninsured motorist coverage, which may provide compensation for your losses after a hit-and-run bike accident.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault for the Bicycle Crash?
Yes. Illinois follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you may recover compensation as long as you were less than 51 percent responsible for the accident. However, your recovery may be reduced based on your share of fault.
How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
The value of a bicycle accident case depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, and how the crash has affected your daily life. Because no two cases are the same, an attorney can help evaluate what your specific claim may be worth.
How Long Will My Case Take to Settle?
Some bicycle accident cases resolve in a matter of months, while others take longer depending on the complexity of the injuries and disputes over fault. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, the case may proceed to litigation, which can extend the timeline.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Our Aurora Bicycle Crash Attorneys
If you were hurt in a bicycle accident that occurred because of another party’s conduct, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. Let our attorneys help you navigate the future. Contact Power Rogers to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation today.