Whether due to increasing gas prices or a more concerted effort to "go green," more people than ever are riding their bicycles. With more bikes on the road, bike accidents are on the rise. Injuries from bicycle accidents are usually severe, if not fatal, and they are usually the fault of the automobile driver.
THE CAR THAT HITS YOU PROBABLY WON'T HAVE ADEQUATE INSURANCE. DO YOU?
If you have been injured in a bike collision, you can file a claim against the negligent driver to recover for your lost wages, medical costs, future losses and pain and suffering. However, a frightening trend exists. Because of the poor economy, more and more motorists are opting to go un- or underinsured. Chances are, the car that hits you will not have enough insurance to cover your catastrophic injuries. Your sole remedy then is to look to your own automobile insurance policy (even though you weren't in your car) to compensate you. Make sure the un- and underinsured limits on your own automobile policy are sufficient to cover you. This additional coverage is cheap and well worth it. You should consider un- and underinsured limits of 250,000 or higher to adequately protect you and your family.
Illinois Bike Accident Law Experts
When you are hit while riding your bike, you should always hire experienced lawyers who know the relevant law related to bicycles on Illinois roads. The lawyers at Baizer Kolar & Lewis P.C. have more than thirty years experience handling and winning bicycle cases and fighting insurance companies who want to deny you compensation.
Insurance companies are anxious to quickly settle your claim before you hire an attorney to protect your interests. Insurance companies have ready teams of adjusters, investigators and (their own) attorneys who focus entirely on minimizing the amount of money you should get paid. It is common for insurance representatives for the negligent driver to contact you within twenty-four hours of the collision when you are still vulnerable and before you have spoken with a lawyer. Don't be fooled by their "niceness"; they will coax you into giving a recorded statement and then into settling your case for far less money than you are entitled to.
The bike accident attorneys at Baizer Kolar & Lewis P.C. have successfully handled bicycle accident cases on behalf of our clients over the past thirty years. Our record verdicts and settlements over the years speak for themselves.
If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a bike accident, contact the Illinois bicycle collision attorneys at Baizer Kolar & Lewis P.C. for free consultation to discuss your case.
