Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Bloomington, IL

With routes like the Constitution Trail, Bloomington, Illinois, is a popular destination for cyclists. While dedicated paths like this are generally safer and largely separated from vehicle traffic, accidents can still happen. Bicycles and motor vehicles inevitably cross paths at intersections, crossings, and shared roadways. When they do, the consequences can be severe.

Cyclists are particularly vulnerable in collisions because they lack the same physical protection as drivers. After a bicycle accident, you may face mounting medical bills, time away from work, and the emotional strain that often follows a serious injury. During these moments, having experienced legal guidance can make a major difference.

At Onward Injury Law, our bicycle accident lawyers have represented hundreds of clients dealing with serious cycling-related injuries. We have recovered millions of dollars for accident survivors throughout Central Illinois. In addition to holding negligent parties accountable, our firm advocates for improved cyclist safety across the state. For a free consultation with our Bloomington bike accident lawyers, contact our law firm today.

Was Your Bicycle Accident Preventable?

Sometimes bike accidents happen without anyone at fault. However, if a bicycle accident occurred because another person failed to act responsibly, Illinois law may allow you to pursue compensation.

To have a valid bicycle accident claim, the following legal elements must be satisfied. 

Duty of Care

Drivers, property owners, and other parties generally have a duty to act reasonably and avoid creating unnecessary risks for cyclists. This includes following traffic laws, remaining attentive, maintaining safe road conditions, and accounting for the presence of cyclists on both urban streets and rural roads.

Breach of Duty

In bike accident cases, a breach of duty may involve a driver failing to yield, driving while distracted, passing too closely, or ignoring traffic signals. It can also involve unsafe road conditions, poor maintenance, or hazards left unaddressed on routes commonly used by cyclists.

Causation

Causation requires connecting the negligent act or condition to the bicycle crash itself. This may involve demonstrating how a driver’s actions or a roadway hazard led directly to the collision, supported by accident reports, photographs, and medical documentation.

Actual Damages

To move forward with a bicycle accident claim, there must be identifiable consequences tied to the crash. This can include treatment costs, missed income, damage to a bicycle or safety gear, or lasting physical or emotional effects. Without a demonstrable impact, a claim is unlikely to proceed.

Onward Injury Law can assess your bike accident in detail. If negligence was a factor, we can pursue fair compensation on your behalf. 

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Bloomington

Bike accidents in Bloomington often occur where cycling routes intersect with vehicle traffic. This includes crossings along the Constitution Trail, streets near Illinois State University, and neighborhood roads where bike lanes may be inconsistent or absent. Outside the city, cyclists frequently use rural McLean County roads, where narrow shoulders, loose gravel, and farm vehicles can create additional risks.

Common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Failure to Yield: Drivers pulling into intersections, trail crossings, or driveways without yielding to cyclists.
• Distracted Driving: Motorists focused on phones or in-vehicle systems and failing to notice cyclists.
• Unsafe Passing: Vehicles overtaking bicycles too closely on town roads or rural routes.
• Turning Vehicle Collisions: Drivers turning across a cyclist’s path near campus areas or busy junctions.
• Dooring Incidents: Parked vehicle doors opening into a cyclist’s line of travel.
• Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, debris, gravel, uneven pavement, or deteriorated shoulders.
• Rural Road Hazards: Narrow lanes, limited shoulders, farm equipment, or loose gravel on shared roadways.
• Impaired Driving: Alcohol or drug use that reduces awareness and reaction time.

Identifying how a bicycle accident occurred is a key step in determining liability. Where legal responsibility exists under Illinois law, our bicycle accident attorneys will take action to hold the appropriate parties accountable.

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident

Certain actions after a bike accident can help protect your well-being and your legal rights. Below are some important steps to consider.

Seek Medical Care

In some cases, cyclists can get back on their feet and make their way home after a crash. However, serious injuries may have occurred. After any kind of accident, it’s important to seek medical attention. Doing so can help identify hidden injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or internal bleeding. Medical visits create records that document the nature and extent of your condition.

Report the Accident

If a motor vehicle was involved in a bike accident, report the crash to law enforcement. An official accident report can provide important details about how the collision occurred, who was involved, and any contributing factors noted at the scene.

Preserve Evidence

If possible, keep your bicycle, helmet, and clothing in the condition they were in after the crash. Take photographs of the scene, your injuries, and any visible damage. If there were witnesses, collect their names and contact information.

Insurance Company Contact

Insurance representatives may reach out shortly after a bicycle accident. If contact occurs, keep responses brief and factual, and avoid offering opinions about fault or cause. It is often best to allow a personal injury attorney to handle these communications on your behalf.

Keep a Record of Your Recovery

Save documentation related to medical care, costs, and missed work. Brief notes about physical limitations or day-to-day challenges can help show how the accident has affected you over time.

Contact a Bike Accident Lawyer

Once urgent medical concerns are addressed, a conversation with a bicycle accident attorney can help determine whether legal responsibility may exist and what legal options are available.

The Physical Impact of Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists are often exposed to more serious injuries than other people sharing the road. Even low-speed collisions can cause severe injuries. Common injuries associated with bicycle accidents include:

• Head and Brain Injuries: Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can occur even when a helmet is worn, particularly in collisions involving vehicles or sudden falls.
• Road Rash and Soft Tissue Injuries: Abrasions, cuts, and muscle damage caused by contact with pavement or debris.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: Injuries to the arms, wrists, collarbones, ribs, legs, or hips are common when cyclists brace for impact.
• Shoulder and Knee Injuries: Damage to joints that can limit movement and interfere with work or daily activities.
• Back and Spinal Injuries: Disc injuries or spinal trauma that may require ongoing treatment or rehabilitation.
• Internal Injuries: Damage that may not be immediately visible but can develop serious complications without prompt care.

The attorneys at Onward Injury Law work with medical professionals to understand the full scope of your injuries. This allows us to pursue compensation that reflects the real impact of the bike accident and helps provide long-term financial stability.

Who May Be Liable for a Bicycle Accident?

Liability in a bicycle accident depends on who caused, contributed to, or failed to prevent the conditions that led to the crash. In many cases, responsibility is not limited to a single party.

Potentially liable parties in bicycle accident claims include: 

Negligent Drivers

Motorists are often liable when a bicycle accident is caused by distracted driving, failure to yield, unsafe passing, speeding, or turning across a cyclist’s path. Drivers have a duty to share the road and watch for cyclists, particularly at intersections and trail crossings.

Commercial Vehicle Operators

Accidents involving delivery trucks, service vehicles, or other commercial traffic may involve additional liability. In these cases, an employer or company may share responsibility for a driver’s actions.

Property Owners

Property owners may be liable when unsafe conditions contribute to a bicycle crash. This can include poorly maintained parking lots, driveways, private roads, or other areas where hazards such as debris or uneven pavement are allowed to remain.

Government Entities

In some situations, a city, county, or other public entity may be responsible for dangerous road conditions, inadequate signage, or poor maintenance of public streets or trails. 

Farm and Rural Property Operators

In and around Bloomington, cyclists frequently use rural roads shared with farm equipment and agricultural traffic. Liability may arise when unsafe practices, unmarked hazards, or poorly maintained access points contribute to a crash.

Our personal injury lawyers can carefully review how the accident occurred and assess where legal responsibility may lie.  

Illinois Laws That Apply to Bike Accident Cases

While every bicycle accident claim is different, certain laws apply in many situations. Some key rules to be aware of include:

• Statute of Limitations: Most bicycle accident claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident. Missing this deadline can bar recovery altogether.
• Modified Comparative Fault: Illinois follows a modified comparative fault system. You may recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% at fault, though any recovery may be reduced by your share of responsibility.
• Rights and Duties of Cyclists: Cyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers and are entitled to share the road when riding lawfully.
• Motorist Obligations: Drivers are required to exercise reasonable care around cyclists, including yielding when required and allowing a safe passing distance.
• Public Roadway and Trail Claims: Accidents involving unsafe road conditions or trail maintenance may involve additional rules and shorter deadlines when a government entity is responsible.

Our legal team can help ensure that the relevant laws are applied correctly and that required deadlines are met.

Compensation That May Be Available After a Bicycle Accident

Compensation in a bicycle accident case is intended to address both the immediate consequences of the crash and any long-term effects on your health, finances, and daily life. 

Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for: 

Medical Expenses

This may include emergency care, hospital treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, medication, and any ongoing or future medical needs related to the accident.

Lost Income

If your injuries required time away from work, compensation may be available for lost wages, including time missed for medical appointments or recovery.

Reduced Earning Capacity

When injuries limit your ability to return to the same type of work or reduce your long-term earning potential, compensation may reflect that impact.

Pain and Suffering

Bicycle accidents often involve physical discomfort and disruption to daily life. Compensation may account for the broader effect the accident has had on your ability to function day to day.

Emotional Distress

Serious crashes can lead to anxiety, trauma, or lasting emotional effects, particularly when confidence riding again is affected.

Bicycle and Equipment Damage

Damage to your bicycle, helmet, and other cycling gear may be included as part of a compensation claim.

Out-of-Pocket Expenses

Recovery-related costs such as transportation, household assistance, or other necessary expenses may also be considered.

At Onward Injury Law, we work to ensure that both short-term losses and long-term needs are fully considered when pursuing compensation. The aim is to secure the financial support necessary to allow you to prioritize treatment and recovery.

Why Bloomington Residents Choose Onward Injury Law

After a bicycle accident, you need an attorney who cares about your future and well-being. Time and again, people here in Bloomington choose Onward Injury Law. When you work with us, you receive:

Clear, Consistent Communication

We believe clients deserve plain-language explanations and timely updates. You will work directly with your attorney, who will be happy to address any questions you have. 

Transparency at Every Stage

From the initial consultation onward, we are upfront about your options, potential challenges, and what the legal process may involve.

A Law Firm With Deep Roots in the Community

Onward Injury Law has represented families in Central Illinois for decades. We are familiar with the local area, courts, and insurers. We take pride in advocating for the people who live, work, and cycle here.

Contact Our Bloomington Bicycle Accident Attorneys

If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident in Bloomington or the surrounding area, you have come to the right place. Our bike accident lawyers can help you understand your options and decide what to do next.

Consultations with Onward Injury Law are free. You pay nothing up front and only pay attorney fees if your claim is successful. Contact Onward Injury Law today to share your story.