Sideswipe Bicycle Accidents Lawyers in Chicago
Our attorneys hold negligent parties accountable when you’ve been injured
When motor vehicles and bicycles share a busy city street, it’s important for everyone to stay inside their lane. When a motor vehicle gets too close to a bicycle, it can cause a sideswipe accident that leaves a bicyclist seriously hurt. The bicycle accident lawyers at Keating Law Offices, P.C. can help.
A sideswipe accident is when a vehicle swings too far over and bumps the side of a bicycle. This causes the bicyclist to lose control and can easily lead to a collision. Because bicyclists have very little protection, they can suffer serious injuries. These include head and neck injuries, facial injuries, broken bones and back and spinal cord injuries.
When there’s a crash, the life of a bicyclist can change in an instant. They are in physical pain and unable to do the things they usually do. The medical expenses add up quickly and can soon become overwhelming. If they can’t work, there is less income coming in. Many find it difficult to pay the bills.
Our attorneys fight for the rights of injured bicyclists
Leaving space between a vehicle and a bicycle to the side is not just common sense. Illinois law requires drivers to give at least three feet of room when passing bicyclists. The term “The 3-Foot Rule” comes from sub-paragraph (d) of Section 11-703 of the Illinois Rules of the Road:
Overtaking a vehicle on the left. The following rules govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations, exceptions, and special rules otherwise stated in this Chapter:
(d) The operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on a highway shall leave a safe distance, but not less than 3 feet, when passing the bicycle or individual and shall maintain that distance until safely past the overtaken bicycle or individual.
If you’ve been injured in a sideswipe accident caused by negligence, you deserve financial compensation. Recovering compensation can be complicated. Negligent drivers in sideswipe accidents typically deny doing anything wrong. They may claim that they left plenty of room and even try to blame you for what happened.
The law firm that has helped hundreds of injured bicyclists
That is why you need an experienced bicycle accident attorney fighting for your rights. We know how to build strong cases that hold negligent drivers accountable. Our attorneys know the many tactics insurance companies use to try to avoid paying you compensation. We help you fight back.
Our legal team investigates your crash to find out what really happened. We gather important evidence that can support your claim, such as traffic camera footage. We carefully review police reports and medical records. We identify witnesses to the crash and interview them. If needed, we consult with accident reconstruction experts.
When insurance companies see how much work we have put into your case and realize that we are ready to fight for you at trial, they usually agree to talk about a settlement. We’re not interested in making quick deals that help insurance companies save money. Any resolution of your case must be one that meets your needs.
If you were injured in a sideswipe accident, learn more about how our bicycle accident attorneys can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation. We can review the details of your crash, explain your legal options and answer any questions that you have.
