The snow finally seems to be relenting in Northern Illinois, which means that more and more people will be out riding their bicycles. Riding a bike is a healthy and cost-effective mode of transportation but it can also leave bicyclists vulnerable to dangerous collisions. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a bicycle accident, you could be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. However, issues like shared fault can complicate the process of getting the compensation you need and deserve.

An Injured Bicyclist May Be Considered Partly at Fault

When a bicyclist is hurt in a car accident, he or she may bring a personal injury claim against the driver’s insurance company. If the insurance company does not offer a reasonable payout, the bicyclist may file a personal injury lawsuit. The burden of proof in a personal injury case is on the plaintiff. This means that it is up to you to prove that the other driver’s negligence or carelessness caused your injuries.

If you were struck by a motor vehicle while riding your bicycle, you might assume that the driver is automatically at fault. After all, vehicle occupants are rarely the ones that are seriously injured after a bicycle collision while bicyclists are often left with severe and even life-threatening injuries. However, it is possible that you will be considered partially at fault for your bicycle accident.

While everyone takes steps to protect their safety, the risk of injury is often present during our daily lives. While a personal injury suffered due to an accident can be difficult to deal with, a situation can become even more problematic when injuries are inflicted intentionally. This has become a major concern in our nation’s current politically charged atmosphere, and disagreements about issues such as wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 can sometimes lead to violent outbursts and physical altercations. Those who have been injured due to assault and battery or in bar fights or other situations involving alcohol intoxication should be sure to understand their options for pursuing compensation to address the ways their injuries have affected their lives.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Intentional Injuries?

Injury victims have the right to pursue financial compensation from those who were responsible for the harm they have suffered. In cases involving assault and battery, a victim will typically be able to take legal action against the person who intentionally injured them. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, a victim may be able to recover compensation for the costs of their medical treatment, the income they have lost due to their injuries, and the physical and emotional pain and suffering caused to them and their family.

In addition to the perpetrator of assault, other parties may also be liable for a victim’s injuries. If an assault occurred in a public place, such as a store, restaurant, or bar, the property owner or the tenant in control of the property may be held liable because they failed to take steps to protect their patrons’ safety. A victim may be able to pursue compensation from a property owner or tenant because of negligent security, including in cases where staff members did not break up a fight or remove a person from the premises because they were being violent or belligerent. Negligent security may also involve the failure to provide the proper safety measures on a property, such as inadequate lighting that led to a patron being robbed or attacked outside a store.

With I-90 and I-290 passing through northwestern Cook County, Illinois motorists share the road with a large number of semi-trucks and are at risk of falling victim to the accidents they often cause. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reports over 10,000 accidents involving large trucks each year, with a troubling 5.2 percent increase in fatalities caused by semi-truck accidents from 2017 to 2018. If you have been injured in a truck accident, you may be facing not only severe injuries and costly medical expenses, but also the challenge of identifying all liable parties in order to seek compensation.

Possible Parties at Fault in a Truck Accident

Any accident caused by the negligence of another party can result in compensation for injury victims, but depending on the nature and causes of a truck accident, a number of parties may share in the liability. Some of the most frequently at-fault parties include:

Illinois’ Secretary of State reported that as of 2020, there are 300,000 registered motorcyclists currently on the roadways, and this number is expected to rise each year. Chances are, you or someone you know has been impacted firsthand by a motorcycle accident or has heard of at least one incident of fatality due to a collision. With the ongoing increase of motorcyclists out and about and the significant number of accidents that take place each year -- over 2,000 injuries reported in 2018 -- it pays to take a look at some of the major reasons motorcyclists face such danger on Illinois roadways.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Crashes

There are countless reasons motorcyclists fall victim to collision and injury, including the reckless or negligent actions of vehicle or truck drivers. Some of the most common causes of crashes include:

Whether you are a casual, recreational bicyclist or bike riding is your primary mode of transportation and a way of life for you, the warm, sunny summer season provides a prime opportunity for you to be outdoors on your bicycle. However, as you hit the trails or roadways this summer in Illinois, it is crucial to protect yourself from potential bike accident injuries by keeping some key safety tips in mind any time you venture out.

Essential Safety Tips to Keep in Mind

In 2018, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported a 6 percent increase in cyclist deaths, with nearly 900 bike rider fatalities on record, and here in the state of Illinois, bike riders, among other types of pedal cyclists, contributed to the nearly 3,000 riders who were injured in the year 2017. This data serves as an important reminder that a proactive approach to our safety is a must. Here are three essential tips to keep in mind when riding your bike in the summer season: