Rockford Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Being hit by a motor vehicle while riding your bicycle usually results in traumatic injuries. A Rockford bicycle crash lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim to ensure that the negligent party is held  accountable.

When you’ve been injured in a cycling accident, you should be able to focus your energy on recovering. With mounting medical costs and no money coming in, you may be feeling stressed about what’s going to happen next.

But you don’t have to worry—the legal team at Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC is here to help you move forward. Our lawyers have extensive experience with personal injury cases and will do everything we can to get you the payout you deserve.

We start by determining who is responsible for your injuries and naming that party in your claim. Then, we will work with your team of medical professionals to determine the value of your physical injuries and consider how they will impact the rest of your life. A Rockford bicycle accident lawyer will work with you to secure the compensation you need for your recovery.

Who Is Responsible for My Injuries?

In Rockford bicycle accidents, the driver of the automobile that hit you is usually found responsible. The motorist may have been driving while distracted or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or he or she might have made a poor judgement call, such as running a red light or failing to stop at a stop sign.

Whatever the reason, a driver who puts cyclists at risk while practicing unsafe driving should always be held liable for those negligent actions.

Not all drivers involved in bicycle accident are at fault, though. The Illinois Department of Transportation (DOT) is responsible for maintaining safe roadways, and vehicle parts manufacturers are legally obligated to install quality parts and report defective parts to car owners. When these institutions fail to uphold their responsibilities and cause bike injuries as a result, they can be named in your personal injury claim.

It will be important to begin working with a Rockford bike accident lawyer from Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC as soon as you are ready to begin seeking compensation for your injuries. The statute of limitations—the amount of time you have to bring a claim against the negligent party—is two years if you are filing against the driver of the vehicle or parts manufacturer and only one year against the Illinois DOT.

What Happens if I’m Partially Responsible?

The Illinois secretary of state has mandated that cyclists follow the same rules of the road as someone operating a motor vehicle because bicyclists often use the same roads as motorists. So if you were following too closely to an automobile or ran a stop sign before your accident, then you may not be entitled to financial compensation unless the other driver also did something to cause the collision.

The court is going to make a decision based on a rule called modified comparative negligence. This means that, if you are injured and found to be partially at fault for your Rockford bike crash, the amount of your award will decrease proportionally. If you were found to be more than 50 percent liable, you will not be eligible to recover compensation at all.

If you are thinking about filing a claim, consulting with a bicycle accident lawyer in Rockford is a great way to determine how strong your case is. We will go over the evidence with you and help you decide the best way to move forward.

Financial Compensation

After reviewing your Rockford bicycle accident case, if we agree that pursuing a claim is in your best interest, we will examine the totality of your injuries and how they have impacted and will continue to impact your life. Some of the more common damages to consider when deciding on an initial settlement request include the following:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of earning potential
  • Rehabilitation services
  • Medical expenses
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Other factors that will influence the value of your payout include loss of companionship, the cost of replacing your bicycle, and mental anguish. The bike crash lawyers at Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC will work rigorously to ensure that you are awarded the maximum compensation warranted by the severity of your injuries.

Call a Rockford Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

Although you may have suffered significant injuries in your bike crash, all hope doesn’t have to be lost. The attorneys at Mahoney & Mahoney, LLC would be happy to put our experience and knowledge to work for you as you seek compensation.

We are passionate about helping our clients achieve financial security after the trauma of a devastating bike injury. To contact a Rockford bicycle accident lawyer, call us at 815-656-4600 or fill out the contact form below.