Riding a bike has always been popular but cycling has exploded in recent years. More and more people are taking to the roads on bikes as a way to stay healthy, to live a little “greener”, and as an alternative method of transportation. Unfortunately, with this increase of bikes on Illinois’ roadways comes an increase in bike crashes, many of which are serious and sometimes deadly.
While Illinois has come a long way by enacting specific laws that protect cyclists, Illinois was in the top 10 most dangerous states for those that ride bicycles.
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.
National Bike Crash Statistics
According to bicycle advocacy group, People Powered Movement, the overall number of bicycle accidents in the U.S. has declined, yet the number of fatal bike crashes continues to rise. Between 2014 and 2015 the reported bike crashes decreased from 50,000 to 45,000, however fatal crashes increased by 12% in this same timeframe. This number continued to increase in 2016, but dropped slightly in 2017, the most recently reported year on bike crash statistics.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is part of the Department of Transportation, has released the 2017 statistics on bicycle accidents which include the following:
- The majority of cyclist deaths in traffic accidents occur in urban areas (75%).
- The majority of these fatal accidents did not occur at intersections, instead occurring on roadways, roadsides/shoulders, bike lanes, and parking lanes/zones.
- Cyclist fatalities were slightly more common during the day (48%) compared to at night (47%), with the remaining accidents occurring during dawn and dusk.
- The average age of cyclists killed is 47, which has steadily increased since 2001 when the average age was 41.
- 89% of cyclists killed are male and children under the age of 15 accounted for 7% of all cyclist deaths.
- Alcohol involvement of at least 0.01BAC was cited in 37% of traffic crashes that resulted in a cyclist death.
- 96% of cyclists were killed in single-vehicle crashes.
- Cyclists were struck by the front of a vehicle in 82% of fatal crashes.
- The vast majority of those seriously injured or killed in a bike crash were not wearing helmets.
In addition to these national statistics, Illinois had 26 cyclist fatalities in 2017, with 6 of these fatalities occurring in Chicago. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident through no fault of your own, you are entitled to compensation for your damages and injuries.
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. If you were injured in a bicycle accident, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer, for a free consultation.
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