Most people assume that when a cyclist is involved in a bike accident, it is due to a motor vehicle driver or a mistake that the cyclist may have made. However, a large number of bicycle accidents involve defective bicycles or bicycle parts. While this may seem less dangerous than an accident involving a bicycle and a car, the fact is, faulty bike products can still cause serious accidents with extensive injuries.
At America’s Consumer Lawyer, we represent clients in Illinois who have suffered personal injuries from a bicycle accident, as well as family members who have lost a loved one in a road accident caused by negligent or reckless conduct of another person. We know that when a bicycle collides with a vehicle weighing at least 2,000 pounds, the odds are not in the cyclist’s favor and the results can be tragic.
It’s important to consult with an experienced Chicago bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights and determine if you have a valid personal injury claim or wrongful death claim against a reckless or negligent driver or bike product manufacturer. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer, for a free consultation.
Defective Bike Part Liability
If your bicycle accident was caused by a defective bike part you will likely file a strict products liability claim. In strict products liability claims, an injured party may sue the manufacturer of the defective part and the distributor of said parts. This means that any party who was involved in supplying the defective parts could be held liable for your damages and injuries, including a retailer, wholesaler, assembler, or other manufacturer.
Strict product liability cases can be confusing. It is important to contact a product liability lawyer if you suspect that your bicycle accident was caused by a defective bike part. An experienced lawyer will research if there are any recalls regarding your bicycle or related parts, will determine who is responsible for your damages and injuries, and will determine if a lawsuit or class action suit is in your best interest.
Types of Product Defects in Bicycle Accidents
In general, there are three types of product defects in bicycle accidents. These include:
- Design defects-Design defects are typically due to an overall poor design of a bicycle.
- Manufacturing defects-If a bike component caused an accident, it is typically due to a defective manufacturing process.
- Failure to warn defects-These occur when proper warnings are not given at the time of sale of a bicycle.
If a bicycle shop worked on your bicycle and either improperly assembled it or provided poor maintenance, they could also be held liable under product liability law. America’s Consumer Lawyer LLC can help determine which parties may be liable for your damages under Illinois product liability laws.
If you were injured in a bicycle accident and suspect that a faulty bike part was at-fault, it is important that you preserve all evidence regarding your case. This should include photographs of your bike and the parts you suspect were faulty, photographs of your injuries, any work orders on your bicycle or other paperwork, witness contact information, a journal of how your injuries affect your daily life, and your medical records. As your case progresses, this evidence will be important when dealing with insurance companies, bike product manufacturers, and in a court case should it progress to that stage.
You should also consider contacting a bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. We at America’s Consumer Lawyer are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at America’s Consumer Lawyer, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
