Determining negligence following bicycle accidents matters

Every day, numerous Illinois residents are seen out and about, riding their bikes — particularly when the weather is nice. Some people use their bicycles as their primary form of transportation, while others use them for recreation. No matter the reason one chooses to ride a bike, doing so can be a dangerous affair. Auto versus bicycle accidents happen all too often, and the victims of such incidents may experience significant, if not fatal, injuries.

Following a bicycle accident, the victim or — in the event of fatality — his or her surviving family members may be entitled to seek compensation for any losses suffered. To do this, filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim in civil court may be necessary. Some of these cases may be settled through out-of-court negotiations, while some may require litigation. Either way, establishing negligence is needed for one’s claim to be successful.

Establishing negligence after a bicycle accident is not always a simple task. The victim or his or her family will likely blame the driver, while the driver may try to put the blame back on the victim. If a victim’s actions contributed to the accident in any way, the driver may file a comparative negligence claim in an effort to reduce his or her liability.

Victims, or their loved ones, of bicycle accidents that were the result of driver negligence, may be able to achieve full compensation for any legally recoverable losses. If comparative negligence claims are successful, all hope is not lost. Partial damages may still be sought. An experienced attorney may be able to assist Illinois residents who have been injured or lost loved ones in bicycle accidents seek maximum relief.