Child Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Learning to ride a bicycle is one of the great moments in a child's life, a milestone in their journey to becoming independent adults. Bicycling is a healthy activity that children can do on their own or with friends and family. However, it also has risks that need to be avoided.

The Chicago bicycle accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC know the feelings of anger and frustration many parents experience when their child is injured in a bike crash.

When it comes to cases involving minors, our office has experience getting minor's the compensation they are entitled to for both past and future damages. Our law firm invites you to complete this online intake form for a free review of your child's bike accident case.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), nearly 470,000 bike-related injuries were reported in 2015. The statistics also revealed that more than a thousand bike riders died that year.

Children between the ages of five to fourteen had the highest rate of nonfatal bike-related injuries. These cases accounted for over a third of all bike-related trauma handled in emergency departments in the United States.

Motor Vehicle-Bike Accidents Involving Children

Although most injuries happen from a child falling from their bicycle, the more severe injuries are when a vehicle hits a child riding a bike. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2018 was the deadliest year for bike riders in the United States since 1990.

Urban environments are the most dangerous areas for bicyclists, even in communities that have installed bike lanes, like Chicago. The number of cyclists who died in 2018 rose 6.3% from the previous year. Over 850 cyclists died that year compared to 859 deaths that were reported back and 1990.

When a vehicle hits a child, it is not always at cut and dry to who is at fault. Although children are more likely not to know or obey the rules of the road, there is a certain amount of liability on the part of the driver of a vehicle to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The laws in different localities and states can leave room for interpretation on when a bicyclist is at fault and when the driver of the vehicle is to blame in a crash. It is always best to get legal advice if your child is hit while riding their bicycle, even if you think that the driver was not at fault.

Child Bicycle Accident Injuries

The scariest aspect of a bicycle accident involving a child is the possibility of a brain injury. Although lacerations, broken bones, and many other injuries may be more frequent in a bicycle accident, the most common severe injury is one to the brain of the child.

According to the Brain Injury Association, traumatic brain injuries are the most significant cause of death and disability among children in the U.S. Over a million children each year sustain some form of brain injury.

The problematic issue with these young child brain injuries is that the effects are not always immediately apparent. A child can seem to recover quickly after a bicycle accident that involved a head injury. However, sometimes it can take years for the effect of that injury to become noticeable. Children with brain injuries can suffer from serious injury, including:

• Lower IQ or cognitive difficulties
• Behavioral problems from frontal cortex damage
• Attention or memory deficits
• Long-term emotional problems

Over the last few decades, the city of Chicago has installed miles of bike lanes to maximize bike riding safety. Cyclists riding in these lanes can minimize their potential of being injured by wearing a bike helmet and other safety gear. Sadly, and driver's negligence remains a significant problem in urban and rural areas.

Chicago Attorneys for Children Injured in Bike Accidents

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are experienced personal injury attorneys that understand the complexities of a child bike accident case, and we can help you get the financial help you need to ensure your child gets the best medical care. Call Jonathan Rosenfeld first before discussing your case with the insurance company and let us give you a free consultation on what your options are.

Our Chicago bicycle accident lawyers can build a strong case for any injured party involved in a car accident. We accept cases in the United States and throughout Illinois, including Cook County, Will County, Lake County, DuPage County, Des Plaines, Arlington Heights, and throughout the Chicago area.

Our law firm will seek financial compensation to ensure the safety of your child's life who suffer catastrophic injuries in a life-threatening car accident. We can begin working on a comprehensive physical injury case on your behalf starting today. Let us hold the motorist responsible for the accident legally and financially accountable.

We understand that having a child injured in a Chicago bicycle accident is a traumatic time for a family. Our law office knows that the wellbeing of your child is your most profound concern. However, adding the stress of financial strain will not do you or your child any good. It is essential to know what your legal rights are concerning the financial compensation your child may be eligible to receive due to their accident.

Resources for children's bicycle safety:

• http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/pubs/811641.pdf
• http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Bicycle/
• http://www.headinjuryctr-stl.org/statistics.html