What to Do If a Car Hits You While Riding Your Bicycle in Illinois If you’ve recently been hit by a car while riding your bicycle, you're likely overwhelmed, physically hurt, confused about your rights, and unsure about what to do next. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents involving cars are far too common in Illinois, especially in dense urban areas like Chicago. As a cyclist, you have rights, but asserting them, especially against a driver’s insurance company, can be a frustrating and uphill battle. This post is for bicyclists involved in accidents with cars. We'll address common concerns, explain what makes these cases complex, and walk you through how a qualified attorney can help you defeat typical insurance defenses. Common Concerns After a Bicycle Accident Who pays for my medical bills? What if the driver blames me? Do I need to file a police report? Should I talk to the driver’s insurance company? Can I get my bike replaced? Here’s How to Handle Those Issues Medical Bills If the driver was at fault, their auto insurance may be liable for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. But don’t expect their insurer to offer a fair settlement right away. Without legal representation, it’s easy to get underpaid or denied outright. Police Report Always make sure a police report is filed. This documentation is critical in establishing fault and supporting your claim. If you are physically able, try to collect witness information and photos from the scene. Do Not Talk to Insurance Adjusters Alone One of the most common and costly mistakes cyclists make is speaking to the driver’s insurance company without a lawyer. Their job is to minimize your claim, not help you. Typical Insurance Defenses in Bicycle Accident Claims “The cyclist came out of nowhere.” - An attorney can use traffic cams, witness statements, and even forensic bike impact data to disprove this. “The cyclist wasn’t in the bike lane.” - Even if true, Illinois law does not require bike lane usage, and drivers still have a duty to yield. “The cyclist wasn’t wearing a helmet.” - Helmet use is not legally required in Illinois and cannot be used to deny liability. Why Talking to a Lawyer Helps Bicycle accident cases can be complex, especially when it comes to proving fault. Insurance companies often try to assign “comparative fault” to cyclists to reduce payouts. An attorney experienced in Illinois bicycle accident cases will know how to gather evidence, reconstruct the scene, and fight back against biased adjusters. At Fabbrini Law Group, we’ve handled numerous bicycle accident claims. We know how to push back when insurance companies try to blame the cyclist or delay a fair settlement. If you were hit by a car while on your bicycle, don’t wait. These cases have strict time limits, and evidence disappears quickly. Contact a knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney right away to protect your rights.

What to Do If a Car Hits You While Riding Your Bicycle in Illinois

If you’ve recently been hit by a car while riding your bicycle, you’re likely overwhelmed, physically hurt, confused about your rights, and unsure about what to do next. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents involving cars are far too common in Illinois, especially in dense urban areas like Chicago. As a cyclist, you have rights, but asserting them,…

The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid After an Uber Accident in Illinois

The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid After an Uber Accident in Illinois

If you’ve been injured in a crash involving an Uber, whether as a passenger, pedestrian, cyclist, or another driver, you may be facing a unique and frustrating legal challenge. Rideshare accident claims are not like regular car accident claims. Multiple insurance policies, shifting coverage rules, and unclear liability often leave victims confused about their rights….

How Insurance Companies Defend Truck Accident Claims

How Insurance Companies Defend Truck Accident Claims and Why You Need a Lawyer Immediately

Truck accidents are rarely simple. When a semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the injuries are often severe and the legal fight that follows can be even more painful. Victims are suddenly dealing with hospital bills, lost wages, and life-changing trauma. But one of the biggest challenges comes after the crash: dealing with the trucking…

The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident in Illinois

The Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident in Illinois

Truck accidents are among the most devastating motor vehicle collisions on Illinois roads. With their sheer size and weight, commercial trucks can cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities, even in low-speed crashes. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you’re likely facing mounting medical bills, emotional trauma, and the stress…

Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois: Causes, Insurance Company Defenses

Motorcycle Accidents in Illinois: Causes, Insurance Company Defenses, and How Fabbrini Law Group Fights for Victims

Motorcycle accidents are a devastating reality for many riders in Illinois. Despite making up a small portion of traffic overall, motorcycle crashes account for a disproportionately high number of serious injuries and fatalities. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, understanding the common causes, how insurance companies defend these…

How Insurance Companies Defend Truck Accident Claims and Why You Need a Lawyer Immediately

How Insurance Companies Defend Truck Accident Claims and Why You Need a Lawyer Immediately

Truck accidents are rarely simple. When a semi-truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the injuries are often severe and the legal fight that follows can be even more painful. Victims are suddenly dealing with hospital bills, lost wages, and life-changing trauma. But one of the biggest challenges comes after the crash: dealing with the trucking…

motorcycle and helmet lying on the road

What to Do After a Chicago Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents are often devastating. Unlike drivers of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists have very little protection in a collision. This means that even relatively minor crashes can result in serious injuries, long-term consequences, and overwhelming medical bills. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, the steps you take immediately afterward can significantly affect your recovery,…

frontal collision of a car with a truck

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Because of the violent forces involved, truck accident injuries are often severe and life-changing. As attorneys, we often see injuries in truck crash cases that require extensive medical treatment, long-term recovery, or cause permanent disabilities. Some of the most common injuries from tractor-trailer collisions include: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) The impact with a heavy truck…

Model of car and gavel

After an Illinois Truck Accident: Why You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

Being injured in an accident with a truck in Illinois is a frightening, life-altering experience. The sheer size and weight of semi-trucks mean that these crashes often result in devastating injuries and complex legal battles. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, it’s crucial to understand your rights and…

Young downed man at accident scene

What Happens if a Rideshare Driver Hits You as a Pedestrian in Chicago?

Pedestrian accidents are serious business. Even low-speed collisions can result in life-altering injuries that make it difficult for you to enjoy the activities you love most. That’s why personal injury protection exists: it helps you cover a portion of your medical bills to offset your out-of-pocket expenses while you recover.  But that amount may not…

What to Do After a Chicago Motorcycle Accident

What to Do After a Chicago Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents are often devastating. Unlike drivers of passenger vehicles, motorcyclists have very little protection in a collision. This means that even relatively minor crashes can result in serious injuries, long-term consequences, and overwhelming medical bills. If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, the steps you take immediately afterward can significantly affect your recovery,…