Illinois Bicycle Laws You Must Know

Being in a bicycle accident is usually both terrifying and painful. In an instant, you could slam into the vehicle or be thrown to the ground and suffer terrible, life-changing injuries. If you were hit on a bicycle recently, it is imperative to understand the Illinois bicycle laws below.

For additional legal information after reading this article, speak to our Palatine bicycle accident attorney at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens, P.C., today. Our attorneys possess 20 years of experience fighting for the rights of bicycle accident victims throughout Illinois. An attorney can review your case and determine if there is a potential for compensation for your economic and non-economic losses.

Why Are Illinois Bicycle Accident Laws Important To Your Case?

In many cases, the motor vehicle driver is at fault for hitting a bicyclist and could be liable for the resulting injuries. However, Illinois has a comparative negligence law that could affect the outcome of a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

Comparative negligence can come into play when more than one party is at fault for an accident. If you were partially at fault for your bicycle accident because you broke a bicycle law, you could receive less compensation for your injuries. Thus, knowing relevant bicycle and traffic laws in Illinois is essential to understand what you could receive in a personal injury claim.

Illinois Bicycle Rules Of The Road

It is essential to understand that Illinois bicyclists possess all the rights and responsibilities that apply to drivers of other vehicles. As a bicyclist on Illinois roads, you are required to obey traffic rules, including the ones mentioned below:

Ride On The Right Side

You should ride as close to the right-hand curb or shoulder as possible. Unfortunately, many Illinois bicycle accidents happen when a driver passes too close to the bicyclist and hits them. So, stay as far to the right as possible without endangering your safety.

When You May Move Left

• A biker can move to the left in these situations:
• When passing or overtaking another vehicle or bike moving in the same direction.
• When getting ready to make a left turn.
• When it is necessary to avoid a moving or fixed object, surface hazard, animal, etc.
• When approaching a part of the road where a right turn is necessary.
• When operating a bicycle on a one-lane highway with at least two marked traffic lanes.

When You Can Ride Side By Side

Two bicyclists riding abreast is allowed in Illinois if other vehicles’ normal, reasonable movement is not impeded. But riding more than two abreast is not allowed, other than on parts of roads that are only authorized for bicyclists.

When You Can Ride On Sidewalks

If you ride your bicycle on a sidewalk in Illinois, you are required to obey all pedestrian signals and signs. You also must yield right of way to all pedestrians in crosswalks or sidewalks and slow down and carefully go around pedestrians as needed. Furthermore, you should slow down and give an audible signal to alert the pedestrian before passing him or her.

Our Palatine Bicycle Accident Attorneys Can Help

Being hurt in a bicycle accident can result in severe injuries. If you or a loved one suffered bicycle accident injuries and believe another party caused the incident, Mr. Eden and his legal staff may be able to help get the most compensation for your injuries. Call our Palatine bicycle accident attorney at The Law Offices of Robert T. Edens today at (847) 395-2200 for a complimentary consultation.