Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyers for Injured Cyclists

When a driver makes a careless move around a bike, the cyclist almost always pays the price. If you were hit while riding, our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers help injured cyclists and their families across Illinois pursue the compensation they need for medical care, lost income, and a safer future. We understand how quickly a quiet ride can turn into an ambulance trip—and how often drivers and insurers try to downplay what happened.

Illinois Bicycle Accidents – Challenges Cyclists Face

Even when you follow the rules of the road, ride in marked bike lanes, and wear proper gear, one inattentive driver can cause serious, long-lasting injuries. Unlike someone inside a car, you do not have a seat belt, airbags, or metal frame to protect you. A single impact can lead to broken bones, head and brain injuries, spinal damage, or significant soft-tissue and joint injuries that affect every part of your life.


On top of the physical damage, many cyclists run into resistance from insurance companies that assume the rider must have darted into traffic, “come out of nowhere,” or ignored traffic controls. Adjusters may suggest you were going too fast, not visible enough, or outside the bike lane—even when that isn’t accurate. When you work with a Chicago bicycle accident lawyer who knows these tactics, you get a team focused on telling the full story of what happened and protecting your rights while you focus on healing.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago and Across Illinois

Person on a bicycle at a crosswalk. Black jacket, blue jeans, city street with buildings in background.
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Doorings and Bike Lane Encroachment

One of the most common urban crash scenarios occurs when a driver or passenger opens a car door into a cyclist’s path, giving the rider no time or space to react. Other drivers drift or park in bike lanes, forcing cyclists into moving traffic. We look closely at the roadway, lane markings, parking patterns, and vehicle positions to show how a careless door opening or lane encroachment caused the collision.

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Left- and Right-Turn Collisions

Drivers who are focused on other cars—not bikes—often turn directly across a cyclist’s path at intersections or driveways. A left turn in front of an oncoming cyclist or a right turn across a bike lane can send the rider into the vehicle or onto the pavement. These crashes frequently cause significant shoulder, arm, and leg injuries. By examining signal timing, traffic rules, and witness statements, we work to prove that the driver failed to yield the right-of-way.

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Failure to Yield and Intersection Crashes

Many bicycle accidents happen in crosswalks, at four-way stops, and at uncontrolled intersections where drivers simply do not look for bikes. A motorist rolling through a stop sign, speeding up on a yellow light, or inching into a crosswalk can easily strike a cyclist who has the right-of-way. We use police reports, diagrams, and, when available, traffic or surveillance video to reconstruct what really happened when vehicles and bicycles met.

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Distracted, Impaired, and Aggressive Drivers

Texting, using apps, eating, or adjusting in-car technology pulls a driver’s eyes and attention away from the road—and away from people on bikes. Alcohol or drugs make things even worse by slowing reaction times and distorting judgment. Some cyclists also encounter drivers who pass too closely, honk, or “buzz” them out of hostility. In your bike accident injury claim in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois, we examine phone records, toxicology information, and witness accounts for signs of distraction, impairment, or aggressive behavior.

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Dangerous Road Conditions and Poor Infrastructure

Potholes, broken pavement, gravel, metal plates, dangerous grates, and poorly designed intersections can turn a routine ride into a serious crash. In some cases, responsibility may extend beyond a careless driver to include property owners, contractors, or government entities that failed to maintain reasonably safe conditions. When appropriate, we explore whether these additional parties share responsibility for your injuries.

What to Expect From Our Bicycle Accident Team

From your first call, our goal is to make the legal process less intimidating and more manageable. You can expect a Chicago bicycle accident lawyer from our firm to listen carefully to your account of what happened, review any photos or documents you already have, and give you an honest assessment of your options.


While you focus on medical care and everyday responsibilities, we work on building your case, which often includes:


  • We Obtaining police reports, crash diagrams, and scene photographs
  • Collecting and reviewing your medical records to understand your injuries and treatment
  • Identifying and interviewing witnesses who saw the collision or its aftermath
  • Evaluating damage to your bike, helmet, and gear for clues about how the crash occurred Looking for traffic or security camera footage along your route, when available
  • Consulting with appropriate experts—such as accident reconstructionists or medical specialists—if your case calls for it



We handle communications with insurance companies so you do not have to field repeated calls, respond to confusing forms, or worry about saying something that could be twisted out of context. Throughout your claim, we explain each step in plain English, help you weigh important decisions like settlement versus litigation, and keep you updated so you always know where things stand.

Standing Up to Insurance Companies and Anti-Cyclist Bias

Cyclists frequently face unfair assumptions—from “you must have come out of nowhere” to “bikes don’t belong on this road.” Insurance adjusters may lean on those stereotypes to argue that you were the one at fault, even when a driver clearly violated traffic laws. They might question your choice of route, your clothing, your lights, or your speed in ways they never would with a driver.


At Alberts & Eiler, P.C., we push back against those narratives with evidence and experience. Our attorneys bring more than 30 years of combined experience working both for and against insurance companies and have completed over 100 jury trials as a team. We understand how insurers evaluate bicycle claims, what kinds of arguments they find persuasive, and where they tend to undervalue injuries.


Because we intentionally keep a smaller caseload, we have the time to dig into details that matter: your riding habits, visibility and lighting conditions, sightlines at the crash location, and how your injuries have changed your daily life. That level of preparation helps us challenge biased assumptions and present you not as a stereotype, but as a careful rider who was put in danger by someone else’s negligence.

Common Questions About Bicycle Accidents in Chicago and Across Illinois

  • What should I do after being hit while riding my bike in Chicago?

    Your first priority is your safety and health. If you can, move out of traffic and call 911 so police and emergency medical personnel can respond. Accept medical evaluation at the scene or go to an emergency room or urgent care as soon as possible—even if you think you’re “just sore,” because some serious injuries are not obvious right away. If you’re able, gather the driver’s contact and insurance information, and ask for contact details from any witnesses. Take photos of the scene, vehicles, your bike, and your visible injuries. Avoid arguing about who was at fault, and before giving a detailed statement to any insurance company, talk with a Chicago bicycle accident lawyer about how to protect your claim.

  • Do I have a claim if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?

    Not wearing a helmet does not automatically prevent you from bringing a claim. The key questions remain: Was the driver or another party negligent? Did that negligence cause your injuries? Helmet use can become part of the discussion when it comes to the extent of certain head injuries, but it is only one factor, and many bicycle crash injuries involve other parts of the body as well. During a consultation, we can explain how helmet use might affect your particular case and what evidence we can gather to tell the full story.

  • What if it was a hit-and-run or the driver was uninsured?

    Hit-and-run and uninsured/underinsured driver cases are stressful, but they are not hopeless. In many situations, your own auto insurance policy—or a household member’s policy—may include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that applies even when you were on a bike. There may also be other sources of insurance depending on where the crash occurred and who was involved. We review all potentially available policies and help you pursue compensation so you are not left paying out of pocket for someone else’s choices.

  • Can I still recover compensation if the driver says I was outside the bike lane or not following traffic rules?

    Drivers often blame cyclists, especially when they did not see the bicycle or don’t understand local bike laws. In reality, the law may allow you to ride in certain lanes or positions that drivers are unfamiliar with, and multiple factors often contribute to a crash. Even if you are accused of doing something wrong, you may still have a path to recovery depending on how responsibility is ultimately allocated. A careful investigation of the scene, traffic controls, witness statements, and applicable laws is crucial. A bicycle accident attorney who understands Illinois rules for cyclists can help explain how shared fault may affect your claim.

  • What types of compensation are available in a bicycle accident case?

    Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to pursue compensation for emergency treatment, hospital stays, follow-up visits, physical therapy, and other medical care; for past and future lost wages if you cannot work or must change jobs; and for the cost of repairing or replacing your bike and gear. Many cyclists are also entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of activities they used to love (including riding), and, in serious cases, permanent disability, scarring, or disfigurement. Our job is to understand the full impact of the crash on your life and build a claim that reflects those losses—not just what appears in the first bills.

  • How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Illinois, and when should I contact a lawyer?

    In many bicycle injury cases, Illinois law generally gives you a limited time—often measured in years, not months—to file a lawsuit, but the exact deadline can depend on the circumstances and who is involved. Waiting until the deadline approaches is risky. Over time, skid marks fade, bikes are repaired or discarded, camera footage is overwritten, and witnesses become harder to find or less certain of what they saw. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the better your chances of preserving key evidence and putting your claim on a solid foundation.

Ready to Talk With a Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

If you or someone you love has been injured while riding a bicycle in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, you shouldn’t have to navigate insurance companies, biased assumptions about cyclists, and legal deadlines alone. Our firm combines deep insurance-industry insight with trial-tested advocacy and a hands-on, small-firm approach. We offer free consultations, and you do not pay attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.