If you were the driver in a Chicago accident with a bikeshare bicycle, like a Divvy bike, you might wonder if you’ll be blamed, what happens with insurance, or if you could face legal trouble.
At LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers, we understand the complexities of accidents involving shared mobility services like Chicago's bikeshare program. Our experience with bikeshare cases gives us a broad understanding of the accidents and insurance issues involved.
We’re here to help you understand your situation and protect your interests. If you were driving a car involved in an accident with a Divvy bike or other bikeshare cyclist in Chicago, call us. You can reach out our Chicago bikeshare accident attorneys at (312) 767-7950 for a free, confidential consultation or contact us online.
Chicago Bikeshare Accident Guide for Drivers
- Why Choose LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers for Your Defense
- What To Do as a Driver After a Chicago Bikeshare Accident
- How Fault Is Determined in Chicago Car and Bikeshare Collisions
- Why Drivers Need Legal Representation
- How LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers Can Help Drivers After a Bikeshare Accident
- Frequently Asked Questions for Drivers After a Chicago Bikeshare Accident
- Contact LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers for Help Defending Your Rights
Why Choose LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers for Your Defense
If you were a driver involved in an accident with a Chicago bikeshare cyclist, you need a law firm that understands the specific challenges you face.
Bikeshare Experience
We understand Chicago bikeshare accidents. Divvy bikes, operated by Lyft, are a common sight on all of our city streets, whether on Wabash Avenue or State Street. Our knowledge of shared mobility companies' operations, insurance structures, and accident scenarios gives us valuable insight.
Client-Focused Approach
We focus on protecting drivers' rights. Our bikeshare accident lawyers know that drivers aren’t always at fault in accidents involving cyclists. Our goal is to ensure you are treated fairly and to minimize your liability.
We’re committed to hearing your side of the story, conducting a thorough investigation from your viewpoint, and identifying any evidence showing the cyclist may have contributed to or caused the crash.
Local Knowledge
We are based right here in Chicago. We know the streets, the intersections, and the specific city ordinances that can affect your case. This local knowledge is crucial when analyzing accidents that happen in our busy urban environment.
Choosing LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers means choosing a firm that understands the specific dynamics of Chicago bikeshare accidents and is prepared to vigorously defend your position as a driver. Call us at (312) 767-7950 to discuss how we can help protect your rights.
What To Do as a Driver After a Chicago Bikeshare Accident
If you were involved in a car crash with a Divvy bike or other bikeshare cyclist in Chicago, here are some important steps to take to protect yourself:
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your own auto insurance company. Stick to the basic facts of what happened. Avoid guessing, speculating, or admitting fault.
- Be careful what you say: Don’t give recorded statements or detailed accounts to the other party's insurance adjuster or lawyer without speaking to your own attorney first. They are looking for information to use against you.
- Seek legal advice: Contact a Chicago bikeshare accident attorney at LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers. Discussing the situation with a trained advocate can help you understand your rights and options.
- Preserve evidence: If you took photos or videos at the scene, keep them safe. Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. Save any paperwork related to the accident, including the police report number.
Taking these steps can help safeguard your interests while the details of the accident are sorted out.
How Fault Is Determined in Chicago Car and Bikeshare Collisions
You might feel like the system is automatically against the driver or worry that people assume the cyclist is never at fault. This is not always true. Cyclists, like drivers, must follow traffic laws. If they don’t, they can be responsible for causing an accident.
Figuring out who had the right of way can be difficult. Did the cyclist obey traffic signals? Were they riding predictably? Did they suddenly swerve out of a bike lane? Were they using lights at night as required? These factors matter.
Negligence means that someone was not reasonably careful, and their carelessness caused the accident and resulting harm. Both drivers and cyclists can be negligent.
Illinois uses a rule called modified comparative negligence. It means that even if a person is partially at fault for an accident, they might still be able to recover damages from the other person involved. However, the amount they can recover is reduced by their percentage of fault.
This rule is important for you as the driver. If the cyclist was partially or mostly responsible for the crash, your liability could be significantly reduced or eliminated entirely.
If your vehicle was damaged, and the cyclist was found to be mostly at fault, you might even have a claim against the cyclist for your repairs.
Investigators, insurance adjusters, or courts decide who was at fault by examining evidence, including:
- The official police report
- Statements from witnesses
- Photos or videos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and bike damage
- Traffic laws in Illinois and specific Chicago ordinances about bikes and bike lanes
- The location of the accident, including traffic signals, stop signs, and road markings
Finding and preserving this evidence is important to building a case. A Chicago bikeshare accident attorney can investigate, gather evidence, and build a case to show what really happened.
Having a Chicago bikeshare accident lawyer on your side provides guidance, support, and peace of mind.
Why Drivers Need Legal Representation
You might think that after an accident with a bikeshare rider that your insurance company will handle everything. Remember that while your insurance company may defend you, their main objective is often to settle the claim as cheaply as possible.
They might not conduct the deepest possible investigation to prove you were not at fault, especially if settling seems easier or cheaper for them.
The cyclist, on the other hand, might hire a personal injury lawyer whose main goal is to get the largest possible settlement or verdict for their client.
Having your own lawyer levels the playing field. Your lawyer will protect your interests, defend you against claims, and minimize your financial and legal responsibility.
They can conduct an independent investigation focused on finding evidence that supports your side of the story.
How LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers Can Help Drivers After a Bikeshare Accident
Our focus on shared mobility gives us a distinct advantage in helping drivers involved in bikeshare accidents, like those involving Divvy bikes here in Chicago.
Our deep understanding of how companies like Lyft operate, their insurance practices, and the common types of accidents involving their services (cars, bikes, scooters) provides us with valuable insights.
We know the tactics often used in claims involving these companies, whether you are the injured party or the driver being pursued for damages.
Our team at LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers knows how to investigate these specific types of accidents.
Here’s how we will put our experience and knowledge to work for you:
- We’ll listen to your side of the story carefully.
- Our lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation by visiting the scene, looking for surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing the police report from your perspective.
- We’ll analyze Chicago and Illinois traffic laws as they apply to your specific situation, including rules for bike lanes, signaling, and right of way.
- Our bikeshare accident lawyers gather evidence to show if the cyclist contributed to or caused the accident through their own actions, such as failing to yield, disobeying traffic signals, or riding unpredictably.
- We’ll handle all communications with the insurance companies (yours, the cyclist's, and potentially Lyft/Divvy's insurance representatives) and the cyclist's attorney.
- Our team will work to protect your driving record and minimize any impact on your insurance.
- We aggressively negotiate on your behalf, prepare a strong defense, and represent you in court if a lawsuit proceeds.
Filing a Counterclaim
Sometimes, an accident isn't just about defending yourself against claims. If the bikeshare cyclist involved in the accident was riding recklessly or negligently and caused you injuries or damage to your vehicle, you might have grounds to file a counterclaim.
A counterclaim is essentially a lawsuit filed by the defendant (in this case, you, the driver) against the plaintiff (the cyclist who might be suing you).
If you were injured due to the cyclist's actions, you could seek compensation through a counterclaim for your own medical bills, lost wages if you missed work, vehicle repair costs, and pain and suffering.
Contact LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers today at (312) 767-7950 for a free, confidential consultation or contact us online.
Frequently Asked Questions for Drivers After a Chicago Bikeshare Accident
Here are answers to some common questions drivers have after an accident involving a Divvy bike or other bikeshare cyclist in Chicago.
Am I Automatically Considered at Fault if My Car Struck a Bikeshare Cyclist?
No, you’re not automatically at fault just because your vehicle collided with a cyclist. Fault, or legal responsibility, depends on the specific details of how the accident happened. Both drivers and cyclists must follow traffic laws.
Investigators and insurance companies will look at who was negligent, meaning who failed to act with reasonable care, causing the crash. Factors like who had the right of way, whether traffic signals were obeyed, and if anyone was speeding or riding unpredictably all play a role.
What Happens if I Believe the Divvy Bike Rider Caused the Accident?
If you believe the cyclist was responsible for the accident, contact a Chicago bikeshare accident lawyer to review your options.
Cyclists can cause accidents by running a red light or stop sign, failing to yield the right of way, swerving suddenly into traffic, riding against traffic, or not using required lights at night.
Will My Car Insurance Cover Damages and Injuries From an Accident With a Bikeshare Bike?
Generally, your car insurance policy's liability coverage should apply if you’re found legally responsible for injuries or damages resulting from an accident with a bikeshare cyclist. Liability coverage helps pay for the other person's medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
If your vehicle is damaged or you sustained injuries yourself, you may have a case, too. A Chicago bikeshare accident attorney can help you determine your options.
My Insurance Company Said They Will Handle It. Do I Still Need My Own Lawyer?
The insurance company's primary goal is often to resolve the claim efficiently and at the lowest possible cost. This goal might not always perfectly align with your personal best interests, such as protecting your driving record or minimizing long-term financial impact.
Having your own counsel ensures you have dedicated representation focused entirely on achieving the best outcome for you personally.
What Should I Do if the Cyclist or Their Lawyer Contacts Me Directly?
It’s best not to speak directly with the injured cyclist or their lawyer about the details of the accident. You should politely decline to discuss the incident and refer them to your auto insurance company.
Refer them to your lawyer and provide your lawyer's contact information. The cyclist's lawyer is trying to build a case against you. Avoid giving recorded statements or signing any documents without first consulting with your own legal representative.
Letting your lawyer handle these communications helps protect you from accidentally saying something that could harm your defense.
Contact LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers for Help Defending Your Rights
If you were the driver in an accident involving a Divvy or other bikeshare bicycle in Chicago, contact a lawyer immediately. Dealing with insurance companies and the possibility of a lawsuit can be daunting, especially when you feel the accident was not entirely your fault.
At LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers, we’re committed to protecting the rights of drivers. We believe your side of the story deserves to be heard and properly represented.
Let us handle communications with insurance adjusters and attorneys, investigate the crash thoroughly, and work to minimize your liability and protect your driving record.
Contact our rideshare accident lawyers in Chicago, IL at LegalRideshare Injury Lawyers today at (312) 767-7950 for a free case consultation or contact us online.