Rockford Bicycle Accidents

Rockford Bicycle Accidents

Over the last few years, our area has become more bicycle-friendly, which has led to additional people enjoying our patchwork system of trails and bike paths to ride for enjoyment or exercise. This, in turn, has caused some streets to be re-marked for bike traffic, which could lead to accidents between bicyclists and motor vehicles. Bicyclists are also at risk from vehicle traffic while riding. It’s important to always wear safety gear (e.g., a helmet) while riding, as there’s no other available protection comparable to being wrapped inside a car or truck. Thus, if a collision does occur, it typically causes significant injuries to the rider.

It is our recommendation that if you regularly ride, you should seek out and obtain a bicyclist insurance policy in the event that you or a loved one is struck by a vehicle that is being operated without valid insurance. These accidents are typically critical for bicyclists, and the extended recovery periods for accident survivors can take months, and, in some cases, years. Having some type of insurance policy in effect could make your recovery much easier to endure. Alternatively, if you do not have a personal insurance policy on your bicycle, we can always pursue a claim against the at-fault party in your accident to help pay for your recovery. Just be aware that some statistics point to roughly 13% of Illinois motorists regularly driving without insurance. The most difficult type of injury case will always be one in which the at-fault party didn’t have insurance, and the at-fault party additionally lacks the assets to promptly fund the recovery of the injured party. This could lead to significant financial and physical consequences for the accident victim.

Illinois Time Limits on Filing Suit

Illinois sets a time limit of two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in the state’s civil court system. In most cases, this two-year time limit, known as a “statute of limitations,” begins to run on the date of the accident. Sometimes, however, a statute of limitations might run from the date that you discovered you were injured, rather than the date of the event that injured you. This later date is known as a “discovery date.”

For injury claims against a city or county, you have one year to file a lawsuit. The time limit to sue the state is generally two years, but you must file a formal claim within one year in order to sue.

A qualified personal injury attorney can help guide you through this difficult time and alleviate some of the stress.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

For a confidential, compassionate, in-depth, free, and, most importantly, thorough consultation with a Rockford Personal Injury Lawyer about your bicycle involved auto accident injury case in Rockford, Belvidere, Freeport, Rochelle, Oregon, Loves Park, Byron, Machesney Park, Roscoe, Rockton, or elsewhere in the State of Illinois, call or text message us at (815) 391-0089, or e-mail us 24/7/365. We offer in-office consultations, and routinely make visits to clients’ homes, hospital rooms, nursing homes, and other off-site locations to make retaining our services as easy as possible.

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