Delivery bike riders hit and injury pedestrians more often than you may expect. If a negligent biker hurts you in Chicago, contact our lawyers to see if you may file a lawsuit. Not only can we confirm whether you have a claim, but we can also help you get the compensation you require.
Lawsuits for delivery bike accidents with pedestrians may involve the individual bike rider and their employer, if they were working at the time. Pedestrians may sue negligent bikers, even if they somewhat contributed to an accident themselves. You can sue for economic and non-economic damages, neither of which is capped in Illinois injury lawsuits. You can’t sue indefinitely, however, and must file your lawsuit for pedestrian injuries within two years.
Call the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 for a free case assessment from our Chicago pedestrian injury lawyers.
Can Pedestrians Sue for Accidents with Delivery Bikes in Chicago?
All bikers owe pedestrians, car drivers, and other bikers a duty of care. Their duty of care involves following the rules of the road and not putting others at risk. A delivery bike rider who breaches their duty of care might injure a pedestrian, making them liable for the pedestrian’s injuries.
Like vehicles, bikes must follow all traffic laws. That includes yielding to pedestrians who have the right of way, observing red lights, and stopping at stop signs in intersections, among other rules.
If you recall what happened immediately before the accident, please describe it to us. If the deliver bike rider came out of nowhere and hit you, we may learn more about what happened by interviewing eyewitnesses and reviewing nearby camera footage.
Don’t downplay your injuries, and let us see if you can and should sue after a pedestrian accident.
Who Can You Sue for a Delivery Bike Accident as a Pedestrian?
If the delivery bike rider was working when they breached their duty of care and injured you in Chicago, their employer may share liability. Respondeat superior lets plaintiffs hold employers liable for their employees’ actions while working, and we may use this to maximize the compensation available in your case.
So, suppose a restaurant delivery bike rider hit you while they were delivering an order. Our lawyers could file a claim against the bike rider and their employer, the restaurant, with the restaurant covering your damages.
Or, suppose the delivery bike rider was an independent contractor working for Uber Eats, Grubhub, or a similar service. In that case, you may only have a claim against the biker rider, since they are an independent contractor, not an employee.
If they don’t have bike insurance, getting enough compensation may be challenging, so we can also investigate to see if any other parties involved share fault. For example, suppose a negligent driver veers into a bike lane, forcing the delivery bike rider to move into the sidewalk and hit you. In that case, the driver who initiated the sequence may be liable, and we can assist you in filing a lawsuit against them.
Can Pedestrians Sue if They Share Fault for Delivery Bike Accidents in Chicago?
Illinois’ modified comparative fault law reduces damages when victims share fault for their injuries. A delivery bike rider might argue that a pedestrian was jaywalking or otherwise being negligent, making the rider and their employer less liable for the plaintiff’s damages.
Victims may not sue if they are more than 50% at fault in Illinois, but this is rare in pedestrian accidents.
Let us counter comparative fault arguments with compelling eyewitness testimony and other strong evidence so that you receive the maximum compensation possible in your injury lawsuit.
What Damages Can You Sue for if a Delivery Bike Hits You?
Our Aurora, IL pedestrian accident lawyers can identify all the damages you can sue for if a delivery bike hits and injures you.
Economic Damages
Lawsuits can provide economic damages when bike riders hit pedestrians. There’s no limit to how much compensation you can get for medical expenses, lost wages, and any bills associated with an accident. Please give us details about all your newly incurred expenses, and we can track them for your lawsuit.
You can also sue for upcoming economic damages. Bad back, brain, and internal injuries might permanently affect earning capacity, entitling plaintiffs to future lost wages in lawsuits. Such plaintiffs may also be entitled to damages for future medical procedures, which we can also calculate.
Non-Economic Damages
You may also sue for non-economic damages in Illinois. These are all the intangible harms you’ve suffered since an accident, such as mental suffering, physical pain, and emotional distress. Non-economic damages are also uncapped in Illinois personal injury lawsuits, so don’t underestimate these losses when filing your claim.
Disfiguring or permanent injuries cause long-term pain and suffering, and we can seek these damages as well in a lawsuit.
How Long Can Pedestrians Sue for Delivery Bike Accidents?
While pedestrians may file lawsuits after accidents with delivery bike riders, they can’t do so forever. Let our attorneys pinpoint the filing deadline for your lawsuit and take the necessary steps to meet it.
Illinois law sets the statute of limitations for personal injury claims at two years. Two years can pass quickly, especially when victims are focused on their physical recoveries from bad injuries.
You shouldn’t intentionally delay contacting our lawyers or filing a lawsuit, as that might put you at risk of missing the deadline.
Once you file your lawsuit, there’s no limit on how long it may take to finish. Take your time reviewing settlement offers with our attorneys so you only accept one that benefits you.
Should Pedestrians Sue After Accidents with Delivery Bikes?
You shouldn’t have to cover any damages associated with a negligent bike rider whatsoever. Though filing a lawsuit can be intimidating, you should sue if you incurred expensive medical damages, cannot work, or suffered permanent injuries with life-long consequences.
We can address any questions or concerns you may have about pursuing litigation, such as the potential timeframe for reaching a fair settlement and whether you will ultimately go to trial. We can review your injuries, initial damages, and any photos or other evidence you have to determine if you can and should file a lawsuit.
Get Help from Our Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Chicago Today
Call the Rhatigan Law Offices’ Chicago personal injury lawyers at (312) 578-8502 for help with your case.
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