Champaign Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you were hurt in a bike accident in Champaign, contact an experienced injury attorney right away for help. If the driver who hit you was speeding, failed to leave enough distance between your bike and their vehicle, was intoxicated, drowsy, or otherwise careless or reckless, you could be owed significant compensation. As a cyclist, you trusted that others on the road would behave responsibly and watch for your safety. When this expectation is not met and you’re hurt in an accident, you have the right to expect that your medical bills will be paid, lost wages will be recouped, and you will be compensated for your pain, suffering, and other losses.

Contact one of our Champaign bicycle accident attorneys to make sure that you get the fair compensation you deserve. At Spiros Law, P.C., our compassionate lawyers understand your situation and will do everything in our power to help you put this accident behind you. Contact us today at (217) 328-2828 for a 100% free consultation.

Why Do I Need a Champaign Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

If you have been in a bicycle accident, you are likely feeling stressed and overwhelmed. You may have suffered serious injuries that make it difficult to live life normally, and you may be dealing with mental trauma from the accident. A lawyer is there to help you shoulder the legal aspects of your case while you rest, recover, and spend time with family.

Theoretically, the insurance company of the at-fault driver should pay for your medical bills and any bike repairs/replacement. In reality, the insurance claims process is complicated and convoluted. Insurance companies are incentivized to avoid payouts and will find any reason possible to deny or reduce your claim. The claim process itself can be difficult to navigate, and mistakes on the claim application or a missed deadline can result in a denied claim.

An experienced bicycle accident attorney will guide you throughout the legal process. If you cannot recover sufficient compensation through insurance claims, you may want to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who hit you.

You should not accept any payments, either from an insurance company or directly from the driver, without consulting an attorney. An insurance company or driver may offer you a one-time settlement in exchange for you dropping your case. While a settlement may ultimately be in your best interest, an attorney may be able to negotiate a higher amount. When you accept a settlement, you will be required to sign an agreement releasing the other party from any further liability. Even if your injuries worsen or you find out you were entitled to more money, you will be unable to seek further compensation.

Why Should I Choose Spiros Law, P.C.?

Spiros Law, P.C. is a team of highly experienced bicycle accident attorneys who are ready to use every legal tool available to help you access compensation. We understand that a bicycle accident can devastate an individual’s life, and we are passionate about the work we do to help accident victims. We prioritize honesty, respect, and compassion in our client approach and are proud of the personal relationships we develop with each of our clients. This philosophy, combined with our tireless work, gets us results: we have won over $100 million for our clients over the past ten years.

Many people worry that hiring a lawyer will be too expensive. At Spiros Law, P.C., we work on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that instead of billing you hourly or weekly, we take a percentage of your overall settlement or verdict at the very end of your case. You only pay us if you win your case. If you lose, then you don’t owe us any money. This means that you can hire Spiros Law, P.C. and receive the best bicycle accident legal representation without any financial risk to you.

We also offer a 100% free initial consultation. You can tell us about what happened, ask any questions, and we’ll give you an idea of your options.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents are common in the U.S. and often result in severe injury or death. In 2015, the CDC reported that there were nearly 467,000 bicycle-related injuries and over 1,000 deaths.

As distracted driving is becoming an increasingly serious problem, vehicular accidents are all too common. When you are riding your bike, you are far more exposed to injury and serious harm than the driver of a car is. Drivers who hit bicyclists rarely suffer injury or vehicle damage. Drivers should be held especially accountable for their actions when they are against a cyclist who was obeying the law. Negligent actions by a driver can include:

• Failure to yield to cyclists when merging at junctions
• Turning into a cyclist at an intersection: When turning, drivers tend to focus their attention on other cars or pedestrians. Since bikes are faster than pedestrians but slower than cars, a driver could be caught off guard by a bike if they did not specifically check for one.
• Rear-ending a cyclist
• Failing to check for a cyclist when switching lanes
• Turning in front of an oncoming cyclist
• Opening vehicle doors in the path of a cyclist: Bike lanes are often in one of two positions on a road: between a parallel parking zone and a sidewalk, or between parallel parking and the street. This means that a car door opening suddenly can directly block the bike lane. A biker may have to swerve into traffic to avoid the door, or crash into it and fly headfirst off of their bike.
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Distracted driving

Drivers need to be held accountable for their dangerous actions. An experienced bicycle accident attorney at Spiros Law, P.C. can help you get the full compensation you deserve for your suffering.

How Much Money Is My Case Worth?

The ultimate amount of compensation that you recover will depend on the circumstances of your accident, as well as the legal route you choose to take. You have a few different options, and your lawyer will work closely with you as you decide how to move forward with your case.

Making an Insurance Claim

Your first step may be to make a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. All drivers in Illinois are legally required to have at least $25,000 worth of liability insurance. It’s a good idea to hire an attorney before you file your insurance claim. Making a mistake on your claim application or missing a deadline can result in a denied claim. Insurance companies often intentionally make the claim application process confusing and difficult in order to deter people from making claims.

Once you make a claim, a representative from the insurance company (a claims adjuster) will investigate your claim. They may look at police reports, request medical documents, and interview witnesses. Your attorney will also carry out an independent investigation to ensure that no evidence is missing or was overlooked.

Insurance companies try to keep payouts to a minimum and will find any reason to reduce or deny your claim. They may drag you into a lengthy and stressful legal battle, all while you are struggling to pay expensive medical bills or make repairs to your bicycle.

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

If recovering compensation from an insurance company is not working, you may consider filing a personal injury lawsuit against the driver that hit you. An advantage of a personal injury lawsuit is that you are eligible to ask for compensation for non-economic damages, in addition to economic damages.

• Economic damages are your actual expenses, such as medical bills and lost wages if your injuries made you unable to work.
• Non-economic damages are any pain, suffering, and emotional distress your accident has caused you. For example, if you have developed chronic pain as a result of your accident-caused injuries, or are unable to complete daily tasks, you may be eligible for compensation for non-economic damages. Similarly, if your accident has given you mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or PTSD, these may also count as non-economic damages. Non-economic damages exist because the legal system recognizes that while money may not be able to heal all your wounds, it can make you more comfortable while you heal and reduce financial stress.

Contact a Champaign Bicycle Accident Attorney

You have a right to be safe while cycling. Drivers who behave recklessly must be held accountable for their actions and their horrible consequences in order to help keep our roads safe in the future. At Spiros Law, P.C., we understand the pain and hardship you have gone through. Our knowledgeable bicycle accident attorneys will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Please don’t hesitate to contact our Champaign offices at (217) 328-2828 to speak with an attorney today.