Road Rage Bicycle Accident Lawyers

If you were hurt in Illinois, our attorneys can help

Under Illinois law, bicycles are considered vehicles, just like cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Many motorists refuse to accept that fact. They lose their patience, sometimes leading to road rage incidents that leave bicyclists injured. The bicycle accident attorneys at Keating Law Offices, P.C. fight for the rights of injured bicyclists.

Why are some drivers so angry? They may be in a hurry and feel a bicyclist is slowing them down. They may be aggressive drivers in general. Or maybe they are just having a bad day. Sometimes they’ll honk the horn or make a rude gesture. Too often, this anger is turned into aggressive driving that puts the lives of bicyclists at risk.

A driver may try to illegally pass a bicyclist or cut them off. Or they may suddenly make a right turn directly in the path of the bicycle. Bicyclists are very vulnerable to motor vehicles on the road. Just a gentle tap from a car or being forced to brake suddenly can cause a bicyclist to lose control and result in serious injuries.

Illinois law makes it illegal for the driver of a motor vehicle to "crowd" or threaten a bicyclist by unnecessarily driving the motor vehicle close to, toward, or near a bicyclist. Section 11-703 of the Illinois Vehicle Code provides that every person convicted of crowding or threatening a bicyclist shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor if the violation does not result in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another. If a crowding or threatening a bicyclist violation results in great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to another, the person shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony.

Our attorneys fight for your rights

Depending on the situation, these can include facial injuries, head and neck injuries, back and spinal cord injuries, broken bones, cuts and lacerations. A bicyclist may need surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and medication. Recovery can take months or even years. Some bicyclists are left with a permanent disability.

Road rage drivers typically do not accept responsibly and won’t admit to doing anything wrong. Do not expect much help from insurance companies. They are mostly interested in protecting their bottom line. So, to keep their profits high, they try to keep payouts low.

The insurance company may contact you soon after your crash with a lowball settlement offer. They may even say that it’s the best they can do while promising quick payment. It can be tempting to accept it, but it will fall far short of covering the full amount of damages you have suffered in the crash.

That is why you need an experienced bicycle accident attorney fighting for you. Road rage accidents can be complicated, but Keating Law Offices is committed to helping you get the best possible outcome in your case. We are proud to have helped hundreds of injured bicyclists in Chicago and throughout Illinois get the financial compensation they deserve.

Our lawyers build strong cases that get results

Our legal team investigates your crash to find out what really happened. We carefully review accident reports and medical records. We gather evidence that can help us establish road rage, such as witness statements and traffic camera footage. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists.

Our attorneys know how to build strong cases that hold negligent drivers accountable. Many times, the insurance company agrees to talk about a settlement when they see that we have put a lot of work into your case and are ready to go to trial. We’re not interested in making a quick deal that helps them save money.

Any resolution of your case must be one that addresses all of your needs. This includes compensation for all medical expenses related to your injuries – both now and in the future. It includes lost wages if you were unable to return to work after the crash. It may include compensation for other damages, such as pain and suffering. If they won’t settle, we’ll be ready to fight for you in court.

Learn more about how one of our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys can help you with your case. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.