Chicago Bike Share (Divvy) Accident Attorneys

In recent years, the city of Chicago installed miles of bike lanes as a safer solution for cyclists traveling throughout the Chicago area. The bicycle lanes separate motorists from bike riders and dramatically diminishes the potential for life-threatening bike crashes.

These newly installed bike lanes work well for the many many Chicagoans, visitors, and tourists who take to the streets using a bike rental program.

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC will help you with your Chicago bike share (Divvy) accident case. Our attorneys can recover the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, pain, and lost wages. Complete our free online contact form. An attorney with experience in representing injured cyclists will personally review your case.

Bike-sharing is not a new idea, just new to Chicago and the U.S in general. In June 2013, Chicago began its bike-share program, named Divvy. This program added over 4,000 bikes to the already crowded streets of Chicago, with 400 Divvy stations located citywide.

The program provides an inexpensive and eco-friendly transportation alternative to city dwellers and tourists while reducing traffic on the streets. While the intention behind the program is respectable, adding this many new bikes to the streets also means that there is a higher chance of bike accidents and injuries.

Safety Concerns With Chicago Bike Share Programs

Anytime bikes and motor vehicles are sharing the same road, there are bound to be accidents. Unfortunately, cyclists are more likely to be injured than the driver and passengers in the vehicle that hits them.

The Chicago Department of Transportation runs the Divvy program, overseeing the safety of the bikes. According to the CDOT, the bikes are sturdy and equipped with lights, reflectors, and a warning bell. CDOT also is responsible for performing routine maintenance on the bicycles to keep them in safe working order.

Riders must be 16 years or older; however, they do not need to have a driver’s license or need to prove they understand the rules of the road. While the bikes may be safe, there are still many other safety concerns that include:

• No helmets. While helmets are available at some rental portals, they do not come with a bike rental and are not required.
• Time limits. Bikes must be returned to another Divvy station within 30 minutes, or the rider will be charged extra for the use of the bike. Riders hurrying to get to their destination may be distracted.
• Inexperienced riders. The streets of Chicago or any of the other large cities that have adopted a bike share program is a dangerous place to gain biking skills. Those who ride regularly in cities are more likely to have learned defensive riding skills that help them avoid bike accidents.

Serious Bike Rental Accidents Occurring Regularly

There are approximately 600-700 bicycle traffic fatalities each year, with 46,000 bicycle traffic injury accidents in 2017 alone. Most fatalities occur in dense urban areas like Chicago, New York, and Boston. All of these communities have bike-share programs. With so many bicycles and motor vehicles all sharing the same streets, there are bound to be accidents and injuries.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics reveal that most bicycle accidents with injuries and fatalities occur in dense urban areas, like Cook County, between 3:00 PM and midnight. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) states that the injured party in a bicycle accident is most likely to suffer serious injuries that require medical treatment that include:

• Broken Bones
• Traumatic brain injury
• Spinal cord injuries
• Bruises and lacerations
• Contusions

As with any traffic accident involving a motor vehicle, a bike-sharing rider injured due to the fault of the driver of the vehicle is entitled to compensation. Most courts find that the driver who injured the cyclists is required to pay the victim’s medical expenses and other damages. Since many traffic bicycle accidents can cause serious injuries, medical bills, wages losses, and other expenses can add up fast.

Anyone who is injured in a rented bike accident will want to ensure that they obtain legal advice regarding what damages should be covered by the driver’s insurance company.

Chicago Bike Accident Attorneys Committed to Representing People Injured While Riding Divvy Bicycles

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC has years of experience working with bicyclists injured using Divvy and other rental bicycles in the Chicagoland area. We have successfully resolved hundreds of cases on behalf of our clients and can investigate and prosecute your case too.

Jonathan Rosenfeld encourages you to talk to one of our attorneys before you talk to any insurance company involved in the case. Our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys work on a contingency fee and only charge a legal fee when there is a recovery for you.

Our law firm can build a strong case on your behalf to ensure you receive adequate financial compensation to cover your economic and non-economic damages.

• http://divvybikes.com/faq
• http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=9224174
• http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811743.pdf