Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If a driver hit you while you were riding in Chicago or the surrounding Cook, DuPage, Will, and Kane County communities, Ori Law Group can help. Joe and Kristen Ori personally handle every bicycle crash claim — you will never be handed off to a junior associate or an intake screen. With more than 40 years of combined trial experience and over $150 million recovered for injured clients, we represent cyclists who were hurt by negligent motorists, and we counter the insurance tactics that try to pin the blame on the rider.
If a driver hit you while you were riding, you already know how the conversation tends to go: somehow, the person on two wheels gets blamed for the carelessness of the person behind a windshield. The adjuster asks whether you were wearing a helmet, whether you were “really” in the bike lane, whether the driver could have seen you. At Ori Law Group, Joe and Kristen Ori have spent decades refusing to let that story stand. Under Illinois law your bike has the same right to the road as any car, and we build every case on what the driver actually did — not on the assumptions an insurer hopes you’ll accept.
A bike crash can happen anywhere across the region — on a protected lane in the Loop, at a busy intersection in Wicker Park or Logan Square, on the Lakefront Trail, or on a suburban road or forest-preserve trail in DuPage, Will, or Kane County. Wherever it happened, the work is the same: figure out exactly how the collision occurred, preserve the physical evidence while it still exists, and document the full extent of your injuries. We move fast to secure traffic-camera footage, witness accounts, and the crash report, and we keep your bike, helmet, and gear intact as evidence — because the damaged frame and the marks on the road often tell the truth more clearly than the driver does.
What sets a boutique firm apart isn’t theater — it’s attention. Insurance companies know which firms actually try cases and which ones always settle, and that reputation shapes every offer a cyclist receives. Because Joe and Kristen prepare every bicycle case as if it’s going to trial, the insurer has to take it seriously. That preparation covers the full range of crashes we handle — dooring, right hooks, left crosses, unsafe passing, and hit-and-run collisions — and the serious injuries that follow, including traumatic brain injuries and spinal and back injuries. When a crash is fatal, we represent the family in a wrongful death claim with the same care.
You have two years under Illinois law to act, but the practical window is shorter — footage is overwritten, witnesses move, and a claim involving a city road or a government vehicle can expire in a single year. The consultation is free, there’s no upfront cost, and we work on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you. Call Joe or Kristen at (312) 621-0000 to talk through what happened and what comes next.
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What to Do After Your Accident
- Call 911 and get medical attention right away, even if you feel fine — adrenaline and the rush of a crash hide serious injuries, and a gap in treatment becomes the insurer's argument that you weren't really hurt.
- Stay at the scene and have police respond, so the crash and the driver's information are documented in an official report you can request later.
- Photograph everything — the vehicle and its plate, the bike lane or roadway, traffic signals, the position of your bike, any debris, and your injuries.
- Get the driver's name, license, plate, and insurance information, and collect names and numbers from any witnesses before they leave.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the driver's insurance company, and do not let an adjuster question why you weren't wearing a helmet.
- Preserve your bike and gear exactly as they are — the damaged frame, helmet, and clothing are physical evidence; don't repair or discard them.
- Keep every bill, record, and note about how the injury affects your work, your riding, and your daily life.
- Talk to a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer — once you sign a release, the claim is closed for good.
Common Causes & Types
- Dooring — a driver or passenger opening a car door into your path. Chicago fines this under Municipal Code 9-80-035, and Illinois bars it statewide under 625 ILCS 5/11-1407.
- Right hook — a motorist turning right across the bike lane and cutting off a cyclist riding straight through.
- Left cross — an oncoming driver turning left in front of a cyclist who has the right of way.
- Unsafe passing and "buzzing" — a driver passing too close, violating the Illinois three-foot passing law (625 ILCS 5/11-703(d)).
- Failure to yield and red-light running — motorists who blow through intersections, stop signs, and crosswalks where cyclists have the right of way.
- Hit-and-run — a driver who flees the scene — common in bike crashes, and a reason your own UM coverage may matter.
- Single-bike crashes caused by potholes and road defects, which can support a claim against the responsible city or state agency.
Who Can Be Held Liable
- The at-fault driver whose negligence caused the crash
- The owner of the vehicle, when a different person was driving it
- An employer, when the at-fault driver was working in the scope of employment — including delivery and rideshare drivers
- A city or state agency responsible for a dangerous pothole, road defect, or missing traffic control
- A manufacturer of a defective bicycle, component, or safety equipment
Injuries We Handle
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Facial fractures and dental injuries
- Broken collarbones, wrists, and orthopedic trauma
- Road rash and permanent scarring
- Internal injuries
- Emotional distress and fear of riding again
Illinois Law & Deadlines
Damages You Can Recover
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and loss of a normal life
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Property damage to your bicycle, helmet, and gear
- Loss of consortium for a spouse
How the Legal Process Works
- Free consultation & investigation
We review your case, obtain the crash report and medical records, identify every insurance policy in play, and explain your options at no cost.
- Treatment & claim build-up
While you focus on healing, we preserve the bike as evidence, document your injuries, calculate your full damages, and handle every call from the adjuster.
- Demand & negotiation
We present a demand backed by evidence and the law, and negotiate with the insurer for the full value of your claim.
- Litigation, if needed
If the insurer won't be fair, Joe or Kristen files suit and prepares your case for trial in the county where it belongs.
What Illinois Law Says About Cyclists — and What Insurers Hope You Don't Know
You are not a second-class user of the road. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1502, an Illinois cyclist "shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle." A bike has the same legal standing on the road as a car, and a driver who hits you is held to the same standard of care.
Illinois also protects how drivers pass you. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-703(d), a motorist overtaking a cyclist "shall leave a safe distance, but not less than 3 feet, when passing the bicycle." A driver who buzzes past you and clips your handlebars has violated a specific statute — not just a courtesy.
Dooring is its own claim. Chicago fines a driver or passenger who opens a door into traffic under Municipal Code 9-80-035, and Illinois bars the same conduct statewide under 625 ILCS 5/11-1407, which means the rule reaches you whether you were doored in the Loop or in Oak Brook.
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file under 735 ILCS 5/13-202, and the deadline is far shorter when a government vehicle or a public road defect is involved. Illinois follows modified comparative fault under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116: you can recover as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, and your award is reduced by your share. Cross the 51% line and you recover nothing — which is exactly why insurers work so hard to make the crash your fault.
Insurance Companies Will Blame the Cyclist. Here's How We Counter That.
Before an adjuster has read the crash report, they often have a story ready: you came out of nowhere, you weren't visible, you weren't in the bike lane, you weren't wearing a helmet. None of that is the law, and we don't let it stand. Illinois has no universal adult helmet requirement, and the absence of a helmet does not reduce your damages. We build the case on what the driver actually did wrong.
- The helmet question — Illinois law does not require adults to wear a helmet, so an adjuster cannot lawfully cut your recovery because you weren't wearing one.
- "You came out of nowhere" — we use traffic-camera footage, witness accounts, and the physical evidence on your bike to show where you actually were and who had the right of way.
- "You weren't in the bike lane" — Illinois cyclists are not confined to bike lanes, and lawful lane position is not negligence under 625 ILCS 5/11-1502.
Local Resources
Why Choose Ori Law Group
Ori Law Group is a women-owned, two-attorney trial firm in Oak Brook. When you call about a bike crash, you reach Joe or Kristen — not a paralegal, not an intake AI, not a rotating cast of junior associates. Together they bring more than 40 years of combined trial experience and over $150 million recovered for injured clients, and they prepare every bicycle case to be tried, not just settled. Kristen's perspective as a woman attorney advocating for injured cyclists shapes how we counter the bias riders face from insurers. Our Oak Brook office is convenient to Chicago and the entire Cook, DuPage, Will, and Kane County region — including the suburban trails and roads where cycling crashes are too often overlooked.
Case Results
Recovered for a retired Chicago police officer who sustained back and neck injuries in an auto accident.
Recovered for a 72-year-old man who sustained head and neck injuries in an auto accident.
Awarded to a minor who sustained a pelvic injury in a school bus accident.
Recovered for a police officer who sustained leg injuries after being struck while on foot on a public roadway.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See more results →
Frequently Asked Questions
Will not wearing a helmet hurt my Illinois bike crash case?
No. Illinois has no universal law requiring adults to wear a bicycle helmet, and because there is no statutory duty to wear one, the absence of a helmet does not reduce your damages under Illinois comparative fault. Insurance adjusters often raise the helmet question to pressure cyclists into a lower settlement, but it is not a lawful basis to cut your recovery. We shut that argument down and keep the focus on what the driver did wrong.
What is the Chicago dooring fine and how does it affect my case?
Under Chicago Municipal Code 9-80-035, opening a vehicle door into moving traffic is a ticketable offense carrying a fine, and Illinois bars the same conduct statewide under 625 ILCS 5/11-1407. A dooring citation is strong evidence that the driver or passenger was negligent, which supports your civil claim for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We obtain the police report and any citation to establish liability from the start.
What if I was partly at fault for the bike crash — can I still recover under Illinois law?
Often yes. Illinois follows modified comparative fault under 735 ILCS 5/2-1116, not pure comparative fault. If you were 50% or less at fault, you can recover, though your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing — which is why insurers try hard to shift blame onto the cyclist. We push back with evidence to keep your share of fault where it belongs.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Illinois?
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury claim under 735 ILCS 5/13-202. The deadline is much shorter when a government entity is involved — a CTA bus, a city vehicle, or a pothole on a public road can carry a one-year notice requirement. Deadlines for injured minors are generally tolled until age 18. It's best to act well before any deadline so evidence can be preserved.
Will Joe or Kristen personally handle my bicycle case?
Yes. As a two-attorney boutique firm, Joe and Kristen work directly with you from the first consultation through resolution. Every bicycle case in this firm is handled personally by one of the two named attorneys — your calls reach the lawyers actually working your file, not a screener.
What's the difference between a bicycle accident claim and a motorcycle accident claim?
Both involve a rider with little protection hit by a heavier vehicle, and both face the same insurer bias. But the law differs: cyclists are governed by the bicycle provisions of the Illinois Vehicle Code, including the three-foot passing law and the dooring statute, while motorcyclists are subject to licensing and equipment rules that don't apply to bikes. The right-of-way analysis, the typical injuries, and the available insurance coverage often differ as well. If you're not sure which applies, see our Chicago motorcycle accident lawyers page or simply call and we'll sort it out.
Can I sue the city or state if a pothole caused my bike crash?
Sometimes. When a road defect — a pothole, a missing grate cover, or a hazardous bike-lane condition — causes a single-bicycle crash, a claim may lie against the city or state agency responsible for maintaining that road. These claims carry strict, short notice deadlines and procedural requirements that differ from an ordinary injury case, so they need attention immediately. We evaluate whether a road-defect claim is viable as part of your free consultation.
What does it cost to hire Ori Law Group?
There is no upfront cost. We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency basis — we are paid a percentage of your recovery only if we win or settle your case, and your consultation is free. You pay nothing out of pocket to get started.
Legally reviewed by Joseph and Kristen Ori · Last reviewed June 24, 2026. This page is attorney advertising and is for general information only — it is not legal advice and does not create an attorney–client relationship.
Hit on Your Bike in Chicago? Let's Talk.
Free, confidential consultation — call (312) 621-0000. No upfront cost, and Joe or Kristen handles your case personally.