After handling personal injury cases in Chicago for decades, I can tell you this — the city’s roads are unpredictable. Every day, I see how motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians face risks that most drivers never think about. Whether it’s a driver running a red light on Michigan Avenue or a distracted commuter cutting through a bike lane, one careless moment can change someone’s life forever.
These types of crashes are not like typical car accidents. They often lead to more serious injuries, more complicated insurance claims, and a tougher road to recovery. I’ve worked with motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians across Illinois, and each case tells the same story — when you’re not protected by two tons of metal, even a small mistake by a driver can have enormous consequences.
Why These Accidents Are So Dangerous
When you’re on a motorcycle, a bicycle, or walking, you don’t have the protection of airbags, seatbelts, or steel frames. Even a low-speed collision can cause serious injuries such as fractures, spinal damage, or head trauma.
For motorcyclists, the risk of severe injury is more than 25 times higher than for car occupants. For pedestrians and bicyclists, a crash with a car can result in life-changing harm in just seconds.
Over the years, I’ve seen that most of these accidents share one common cause: driver negligence. Inattention, speeding, texting, and failure to yield are at the top of the list. Unfortunately, it only takes a second of distraction to cause years of pain for the victim.
Common Causes of Motorcycle, Bicycle, and Pedestrian Crashes in Chicago
Chicago’s dense traffic and busy intersections make it especially risky for people outside of cars. Here are some of the patterns I’ve seen most often in my cases:
- Left-turn collisions when drivers fail to see a motorcycle or bicycle before turning.
- Distracted driving, particularly from phones or navigation systems.
- Dooring incidents, when a parked driver opens a door into the path of a cyclist.
- Speeding or running red lights in high-traffic areas.
- Failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.
- Unsafe lane changes and drivers cutting across bike lanes.
- Impaired or fatigued driving by commercial and rideshare drivers.
In many of these cases, the driver claims they “didn’t see” the person they hit. From my perspective, that’s not an excuse — it’s negligence. Drivers have a legal duty to look, to pay attention, and to protect others who share the road.
Why Motorcycle and Bicycle Cases Are Treated Differently
Motorcycle and bicycle accidents require a different legal approach because they often involve biased assumptions from insurance companies. I’ve seen adjusters try to argue that motorcyclists were speeding or that bicyclists “should have been more careful,” even when the evidence shows the opposite.
That’s why we gather every piece of evidence possible — police reports, intersection footage, GPS data, and witness statements. We often work with accident reconstruction experts to prove exactly how a crash occurred.
Insurance companies sometimes use the same tactics they use in rideshare and commercial vehicle claims, trying to shift blame or minimize responsibility. If your case involves a commercial driver or rideshare vehicle, it may overlap with the issues discussed in our Uber and Lyft accident lawyer guide.
Understanding Comparative Fault in Illinois
Illinois follows what’s called a modified comparative fault rule. This means that if you’re found less than 50 percent at fault for your accident, you can still recover compensation, but your damages will be reduced by your share of fault.
For example, if a jury awards $100,000 and finds you 20 percent at fault, you can still recover $80,000. However, if you’re found more than 50 percent at fault, you recover nothing.
This law often becomes an issue in motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian cases because insurance companies will try to blame the injured person. Having an experienced lawyer is crucial to counter that argument with evidence and expert testimony.
The Real Cost of These Injuries
When I meet clients after a motorcycle or pedestrian crash, their injuries are often more serious than they realize. What starts as pain or stiffness can later reveal fractures, nerve damage, or traumatic brain injuries.
The recovery process is long, and it’s not just physical. There’s also the emotional trauma of returning to normal life — and the financial burden of medical bills, lost wages, and rehabilitation.
A fair settlement needs to include not just today’s bills, but future medical care, pain and suffering, and loss of earning potential. That’s why we take time to document every part of your recovery before negotiating any settlement.
How We Build a Strong Case
At Phillips Law Offices, we don’t treat these cases like routine car crashes. Our approach involves detailed investigation, expert analysis, and personal attention to every client. Here’s what we focus on:
- Securing immediate evidence from the scene — photos, camera footage, and witness accounts.
- Reconstructing the accident using data and expert review.
- Gathering all medical records to document the full extent of injuries.
- Calculating economic and non-economic losses to reflect the true value of the claim.
- Negotiating with insurance companies only after we know what fair compensation looks like.
If negotiations fail, we’re always ready to take the case to trial. Insurance companies know that, and it often makes them take our clients’ claims more seriously.
Getting the Right Legal Help in Illinois
Motorcycle, bicycle, and pedestrian accidents can change a life in seconds, but understanding your rights can make all the difference in what happens next.
At Phillips Law Offices, we’ve helped thousands of injured people across Illinois recover fair compensation and rebuild their lives. Whether you were hit while crossing the street, riding your motorcycle, or cycling to work, we’re here to guide you through the process and fight for the results you deserve.
If you’ve been injured on Chicago’s roads, don’t wait for the insurance company to make the first move. Let’s talk about your options and create a plan to protect your future.
Call (312) 346-4262
161 N Clark St, Suite 4925, Chicago, IL
Free Consultation | No Fee Unless You Win
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