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Bike Share (Divvy) Accidents

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.


 

Divvy is Chicagoland’s bike share system with 6,000 bikes available and over 570 stations that has been providing Chicago residents and tourists with convenient, inexpensive, and “green” transportation since 2013. While the program has made getting around Chicago easier, it has also increased the number of bicycle accidents that occur every year.

At Mike Agruss Law, 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 the 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.

Bike Share Safety Concerns

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is responsible for the Divvy program and oversees the safety of the bikes available for use and their maintenance. The bikes are available to any rider over the age of 16, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and are equipped with lights, reflectors, and a bell. Riders are not required to have a driver’s license or prove they understand the rules of the road, which can be dangerous because a bicycle is considered a vehicle in the state of Illinois.

Other bike share safety concerns include:

  • Helmets not required – Divvy provides helmets at only some of its 570 stations and even though they are provided, they are not required. Helmets are truly the only method of protection a bicyclist has in the event of an accident.

  • Rider inexperience – Riding a bicycle on the busy streets of Chicago is a totally different experience than riding a bike in a park or slow street. Riding in a major city for the first time puts the bicyclist at risk for an accident if they do not have the defensive driving skills and experience required to survive on city streets.

  • Divvy time limits – Divvy requires anyone that uses their rideshare bicycles to return them to a station within 30 minutes or they will be charged extra for the ride. Hurrying to the next station to avoid extra fees causes the bicycle rider to be distracted.

  • Riding around the clock – Riding a bicycle on busy Chicago streets during the day is hard enough, let alone riding in the dark when a bicycle is less visible can be even more dangerous.

There are between 600-800 bicycle fatalities across the U.S. every year, with 75% of these deaths occurring in major urban areas like the city of Chicago. With the increase in bicycles and motor vehicles sharing the roadways, these accidents will continue to occur, often with devastating results. If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident, it is important to remember that just like any other accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages.

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 Mike Agruss Law, for a free consultation.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at what 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 Mike Agruss Law, 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 [email protected] or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7. 

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