CHICAGO, IL – Bicycle hit and run accidents often result in catastrophic injuries for the bicyclists involved. It can be challenging to recover compensation for this type of crash for the bicyclists injuries, property damages, among other losses.
More than 2,300 bicyclists were injured as a result of vehicle crashes in Illinois alone, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Unfortunately, 12 bicyclists fatally lost their lives due to the crash.
If you were involved in a bicycle hit and run crash, here are the steps that you should take:
- Call 911 immediately
If you were involved in a hit and run bicycle accident, you need to call 911 immediately to report the incident. Relay as much information as you can about the driver including their physical description, a description of the vehicle, and the direction that the vehicle fled. - Do not pursue the driver
Under no circumstances should you pursue a hit and run driver, as this places you and others in more danger. People typically flee the scene when they are intoxicated or have a reason to run from law enforcement. Do not get involved with this. - Seek medical care
It’s important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if your injuries don’t seem severe, many signs and symptoms of bicycle accident injures don’t appear for days or hours later. It’s important to immediately seek medical care to establish a timeline of events. - Gather evidence
If possible, take photos of the scene of the accident of anything that seems relevant. This may include injuries, the damaged bicycle, debris lying around the scene, traffic and weather conditions, and more. If there were any witnesses to the crash, get their names and contact information before they leave the scene. - Examine your insurance documents
It’s important to take a look at your own auto insurance policy to examine the coverage you have. If you carry uninsured motorist coverage, you may be able to receive compensation for your losses. Some insurance carriers offer a variety of personal injury protection (PIP) insurance that can be used to cover medical bills in this type of situation. - Contact a personal injury attorney
You should contact an experienced Chicago bicycle accident and personal injury lawyer as soon as you’re able to. Our skilled attorneys will handle every aspect of your case, including investigation what happened, communicating with law enforcement officials investigating the crash, and handling insurance carriers.
