How to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Illinois

Victims of bicycle accidents often face financial, physical, and emotional loss, sometimes with long-term consequences. When you have an injury like this due to another person hitting you, it is critical that you know what steps to take to recover damages. There are several steps to file a bicycle accident claim in Illinois. Following them and consulting a Springfield bicycle accident lawyer ensures your voice is heard.

What to Do Right After a Bicycle Accident

What you do after a bike accident will influence how you can file a claim. If a car, bus, truck, or other vehicle strikes you, be sure to follow these steps:

• Call 911 for medical help.
• Get out of the way of additional danger, but do not leave the scene of the accident.
• Take photos of the surrounding area, if it is safe to do so. Get the name and contact information for the driver, witnesses, and anyone else involved.
• Get to the hospital for medical care. Even if you feel okay, get checked out.
• File a police report.

In this situation, you will file a claim for your injuries and losses against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. This will require contacting that company, providing information about the date and location of the injury, and then, after you recover, filing a claim.

What to Do If the Driver Flees the Scene

In some situations, the driver may flee the scene of the accident, resulting in your inability to file a claim against their insurance. The police will try to find this driver, and many times, they do. However, if they do not, you may be able to file a claim with your own uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance policy, if you have one.

This applies only in cases of a hit-and-run accident, or if the driver has insurance but not enough coverage. Your coverage may have limitations in these events.

Hire an Attorney for Your Accident

It is always beneficial to have a bicycle accident attorney by your side if you have serious injuries. If your injuries require medical attention, especially in situations where you had to receive care for some time or advanced treatment, do not hesitate to work with an attorney.

After you receive medical care, contact a bicycle accident lawyer in Illinois at that point. Your attorney will then handle the insurance claim process on your behalf. This is beneficial for several key reasons:

• The insurance company is not able to try to trick you into admitting fault or reducing the settlement value to a level that is unfair to you.
• You will know what your claim is really worth, which is often much higher than what you may think it is once you factor in all of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
• Your attorney can go to court on your behalf if it is necessary to do so. In Illinois, the statute of limitations for most personal injury accidents is two years from the date of your accident. Though rarely necessary, having this option can prove valuable.

What is most important is being thorough. Whether you file a claim yourself or you allow your attorney to do so, every detail matters. It is up to you to demonstrate all your losses. Having an attorney do that for you may be more effective.