Bicycling has experienced a dramatic increase in popularity on the streets of Chicago in the last decade. Many cyclists take to the roads to commute to and from work every day with others riding simply for pleasure or exercise. Though the reasons bicyclists are riding may vary slighting, the effect remains constant; as more bikers being to ride, more bicycles are on the roads and bicycle traffic becomes heavier on the streets.
An increase in the amount of bicycle traffic should not pose a problem to the riders and to motorists in Chicago. After all, bicycles have the same rights and responsibilities when it comes to riding that any other driver of an automobile possesses. Bicyclists can legally occupy a lane of traffic or a bicycle lane, when one is present, and ride according to the rules governing the roads. But problems unfortunately arise as drivers fail to act in a safe and responsible manner when bikes are near, leading to thousands of bicycle accidents in Chicago and Illinois annually. Too often, these bicycle collisions lead a rider to become injured, and often those injuries are severe.
When a bicycle crash is caused by a driver or operator who acts in a negligent or reckless manner, an injured cyclists may be entitled to relief for his or her injuries. Relief can be sought to cover damages that result including medical and surgical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among others. A personal injury lawyer who has experienced representing the victims of these accidents may be able to help you understand if you have a valid claim after your accident.
The increase in bicycle riding has not been due solely to those who own a bicycle, though. With the start of Divvy, Chicago’s bike share program, thousands of additional riders have been able to rent a bicycle for a trip, a day, or even to use as often as they want throughout the year. Divvy rentals set back-to-back records this weekend for the number of rides taken with 12863 rides on Saturday and 16,259 rides on Sunday. Sunday’s record ridership likely was due to the summer weather in Chicago combined with the city’s annual event, Bike the Drive, where Lake Shore Drive is closed to vehicles for several hours as cyclists take to the street.
With more beautiful weather in the forecast and additional bicycle-themed events taking place in Chicago this year, bicycles are likely to be a mainstay among the city’s roadways. Drivers should stay alert while behind the wheel and should anticipate the presence of cyclists as a result.
If you have been involved in bicycle accident in Chicago and you sustained injuries, you may be entitled to monetary relief for your damages. This can be true whether or not anyone involved in the crash received a traffic ticket from the police.
The lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. have helped numerous bicycle accident victims receive the relief they deserved as a result of their injuries and we are standing by now to help you do the same. If an accident has left you with injuries, call us toll free at (855) 529-2442 or locally at (312) 924-7575 and let us provide you with a free, no obligation case consultation. We are standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to take your call whenever you need answers and everything discussed will be kept confidential. At Abels & Annes, P.C., we never charge our clients a fee unless we make a recovery for them in their injury case. If you have been injured, do not continue to suffer as the result of a driver’s mistake. Call us today and let us help you.
Prior Blog Entry:
Daniel McCormack Charged in 2005 Sexual Abuse Incident, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published May 22, 2014.
Resource:
Divvy sets new single-day ride record, Chicago Tribune, published May 27, 2014.