Keating Law Offices are the premiere personal injury lawyers representing bicyclists injured in an accident in Illinois. The firm offers free consultations and there are no fees unless we win for you. Our attorneys have a long history of success representing clients injured in bike accidents in Chicago, the suburbs and throughout Illinois. The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers are committed to advocating for the rights of bicyclists and fighting for bicyclists injured in bike accidents.
Illinois Bicycle Law Pages
Friday, October 11, 2024
Keating Law's Representation of E-Scooter Victims Profiled by Chicago Sun-Times
Monday, February 5, 2024
What To Do If Injured In A Crash With A Lyft or Uber Rideshare Driver?
Who is Responsible for a Rideshare Collision?
Uber and Lyft are some of the more common rideshare companies that we come across daily, especially here in Chicago. Whether you are an Uber or Lyft driver or passenger or find yourself sharing the road with an Uber or Lyft vehicle, as another driver, bicyclist or pedestrian, it is important to understand how their services can impact liability in an accident with them.
Uber and Lyft Have Insurance
Illinois requires all drivers to operate a vehicle with a valid policy of insurance. Illinois also mandates that all rideshare companies have insurance in the event of an accident with one of its drivers. Most rideshare companies have at least a $1 million dollar policy of insurance that covers injuries to riders and third parties involved in an accident. There may also be "excess insurance" available under certain circumstances involving very serious personal injury and wrongful death crashes.
Uber and Lyft also have other policies of insurance for scenarios such as when the driver is on the application but not transporting a passenger and when drivers are enroute to pick up a passenger.
If you are involved in an accident with Uber or Lyft or are a driver for one of these companies, it is important to hire an attorney who is familiar with these nuances as you could be entitled to more compensation.
Illinois Rules of the Road Apply
If you are in a car accident with an Uber or Lyft, the laws and regulations in place that impact liability are the Illinois Vehicle Code and all applicable local ordinances and regulations. Uber and Lyft are not granted statutory protections to shield them from liability. In fact, as of January 1, 2024, Uber and Lyft drivers are held to a heightened standard of care, the common carrier standard, when operating a motor vehicle. This is the same standard that taxicabs, limousines, and buses are subject to.
Under Illinois law, “a common carrier owes its passengers the highest duty of care consistent with the practical operation of its conveyances. It is not a guarantor of its passengers' safety, but it has a duty to its passengers to use the highest degree of care consistent with the mode of conveyance used and the practical operation of its business as a common care by road. Its failure to fulfill this duty is negligence.” Sheffer v. Springfield Airport Authority, 261 Ill. App. 3d 151, 154 (4th Dist. 1994) and Illinois Jury Instruction 100.01.
This new classification of Uber and Lyft drivers makes it easier for those injured in a rideshare accident to receive compensation for their injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering and loss of a normal life and to hold the driver and company responsible for negligent and wrongful acts. Ultimately, the party’s action that violated the Illinois Vehicle Code, such as failing to yield the right of way, disregarding the traffic light or stop sign or discharging a passenger into a bike lane, will be held responsible for the injured party’s damages.
Keating Law Offices Has a History of Prosecuting Rideshare Cases
Keating Law is the premier personal injury law firm representing victims in rideshare accidents. The firm has extensive experience handling cases against rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft and has been a leader in cases filed against these companies and their drivers. The firm has filed more lawsuits against Uber in Cook County than any other law firm in Illinois.
The firm is based in Chicago, Illinois and represents clients throughout Illinois. If you have any questions regarding this post or have a question regarding personal injury law, please contact Keating Law Offices at 312-239-6787 (Office). Our staff and operators are available around the clock. All messages and phone calls are returned promptly.
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Chicago Bicyclist Killed in Collision in North Damen Bike Lane
- Failed to maintain a safe minimum distance of three feet when passing a bicycle, contrary to and in direct violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-703(d);
- Improperly overtook or passed on the left when such movement could not be made without interfering with the safe operation of the vehicle to be overtaken, contrary to and in direct violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-705;
- Operated the vehicle so as to form an unreasonable obstruction to traffic, in violation of Section 9-40-130 of the Municipal Code of Chicago; and
- Operated the vehicle in such a manner and in such a place so as to impede bicycle traffic, traveling in a portion of the roadway marked for the shared use of motor vehicles and bicycles, in violation of Section 9-40-060 of the Municipal Code of Chicago.
Monday, October 23, 2023
Keating Law Obtains $500,000.00 Settlement for Injured Chicago Cyclist
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Teenage Bicyclist In Crosswalk Struck By SUV Driver In Batavia, Illinois
Thursday, December 15, 2022
City of Chicago Stiffens Enforcement for Drivers Blocking Bike Lanes
"These changes to the Chicago Municipal Code are a step in the right direction. On its face, the Code now makes it easier for a police officer to issue a citation and extends the persons like traffic aides who can issue a citation for parking in the bike lane. The real effect, however, will be seen in whether the Chicago Police Department and city officials actually put some bite in their bark. Traffic laws are put into place to create a framework of safety for everyone. When those laws are not enforced we have a breakdown in the fundamental safety of our streets for bicyclists. This evidence in this breakdown is an epidemic of injuries and deaths of cyclists legally riding on our city's streets. A continued path towards change is needed."
Friday, September 9, 2022
Bicyclist's Video Shows Lexus SUV Driver Caused Left Hook Crash on Milwaukee Avenue
A normal commute home via the Milwaukee Avenue bike lane by a local cyclist was cut short when he was the victim of a "left hook" collision. This stretch of Milwaukee Avenue is nicknamed the “Hipster Highway” because of the thousands of bicyclists that ride the bicycle lane in this stretch through Chicago’s popular West Town community on a daily basis. The Milwaukee Avenue bicycle lane is the most heavily travelled and well-known bicycle lane in Chicago.
- Right of way to a bicycle on Left Turn – The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to a bicycle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
- The driver also violated Section 9-40-160 of the Municipal Code of Chicago in causing the bicycle crash by failing to utilize due care when operating her vehicle recklessly on Chicago most busy bicycle lane. Section 9-40-160 provides: Drivers to exercise due care – Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human or animal power, upon any roadway, and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precautions upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway.
- The driver also violated Section 9-40-060 of the City of Chicago Municipal Code by driving across a bicycle lane in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic, including The bicyclist. Section 9-40-060 provides: The driver of a vehicle shall not drive, unless entering or exiting a legal parking space, or stand, or park the vehicle upon any on street path or lane designated by official signs or markings for the use of bicycles, or otherwise drive or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such path or lane.
- The overall rights of bicyclists in Illinois are solidified in “Dennis’s Law” which clarified that all bicyclists in Illinois are entitled to all of the rights of motorists. Specifically, this law establishes that bicyclists are equally entitled to the right-of-way. In Illinois, any person riding a bicycle is equally regarded as operating a vehicle. “Every person riding a bicycle upon a highway shall be granted all of the rights, including, but not limited to, rights under Article IX of this Chapter, [625 ILCS 5/11-901 et seq.] and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this Code.” 625 Ill. Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/11-1502. This amendment to existing law went into effect on January 1, 2017, and was the clear law of the land on the date of this crash.
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Chicago Bicyclist Wins Jury Trial Against Law Professor Who Blamed The Cyclist For Crash
Saturday, August 6, 2022
Keating Law's Mike Keating A Featured Speaker At Trial Lawyer's Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Keating Law founder Mike Keating was a featured speaker at the American Association for Justice’s Annual Convention in Seattle. Mike’s presentation was on the explosion in the number of bicyclists and cycling injuries since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Jury Awards $213,000 To Chicago Bicyclist Doored in Chicago's Loop
A Cook County Jury has awarded a Chicago cyclist nearly $213,000.00 for injuries she sustained when she was doored in Chicago's Loop. The crash itself coincidentally happened on the Washington Street bike lane - across the street from the Daley Center courthouse where the jury trial was held.
The jury found the driver and his passenger who doored the cyclist 100% at fault for the crash. In the end the jury’s verdict forces State Farm to face an excess verdict that is over 400% of their offer on the courthouse steps to settle last week and is more than double the policy limits that the cyclist was willing to settle for years ago.
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
All Keating Law Attorneys Named Super Lawyers for 2022
Tuesday, December 21, 2021
Winter Solstice Brings Winter And A Reminder To Use A Bike Light
- A lamp on the front that emits a white light that can be seen for 500 feet; and
- A red reflector visible from 100 to 600 feet by a car with its headlights on.
625 ILCS 5/11‑1507)
(from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11‑1507)
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Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
(a) Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.
Keating Law Offices’ experienced bicycle accident lawyers have a long record of case results for clients and are considered national leaders in bicycle law. We are also bicyclists who are very active in Chicago’s cycling community. We put a lot of milesA on our bikes, support bike advocacy groups, and sponsor road bike and cyclocross bike races in Illinois.
Sunday, December 12, 2021
Chicago Cyclist Killed In Crash With Semi-Truck On Ashland Avenue
“When a motor vehicle and a bicycle are traveling in the same direction on any highway, street, or road, the operator of the motor vehicle overtaking such bicycle traveling on the right side of the roadway shall not turn to the right in front of the bicycle at that intersection or at any alley or driveway until such vehicle has overtaken and is safely clear of the bicycle.”
- 49 C.F.R. Section 383.111 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires a professional driver to recognize and avoid potential hazards at all times.
- Section 11-1003.1 of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code states that every driver of a vehicle must 1) always exercise care to avoid colliding with pedestrians and bicyclists, and 2) sound their horn to provide warning of an impending impact.
Thursday, August 19, 2021
$300,000.00 Settlement for Injured Triathlete Shows Importance of Fighting for Underinsured Motorist Insurance Coverage
Last spring on a beautiful day a local bicyclist and her adult daughter went on a bicycle ride through Naperville. Their pleasant day was cut short when a motorist failed to notice them and turned immediately in front of the bicyclists. The daughter was able to avoid the driver but the other bicyclist slammed into the side of the motor vehicle and was thrown off of her bicycle. She landed hard and struck her head in the process.
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Chicago Bicyclist Killed In Collision With Van In Jefferson Park
The Chicago Sun-Times reported that a 59-year-old man named Thomas Travers passed away on Monday July 26, 2021 after being struck by a van on North Milwaukee Avenue. The collision occurred in the northwest side neighborhood of Jefferson Park. Mr. Travers spent two days at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, Illinois after the crash where he sadly passed away due to the multiple injuries he sustained from the accident.
"Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human or animal power, upon any roadway, and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precautions upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway."Stated differently, drivers are required to be extra cautious and give a warning in order to avoid a collision with a pedestrian and a bicyclist in ALL situations and take extra care if the person appears to be confused or incapacitated.
Friday, July 16, 2021
Chicago Boy Killed in Collision with Modified Truck Driven by Chicago Police Officer
- Section 11-1003.1 states: “[E]very driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human power and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary . . . .”
- Section 5/11-1002(e) states: “Whenever stop signs or flashing red signals are in place at an intersection or at a plainly marked crosswalk between intersections, drivers shall yield right-of-way to pedestrians as set forth in Section 11-904 of this Chapter.”
- Section 11-904(b) requires drivers approaching a stop sign to come to a complete stop before entering a crosswalk at an intersection and to yield to the right-of-way of any vehicle that has entered the intersection.
- Section 11-601 requires drivers to reduce the speed of their vehicle to avoid a collision.