Bicycle accidents in Champaign pose severe risks due to negligent motor vehicle drivers and limited cycling infrastructure. At Wagner Reese, LLP, our Champaign bicycle accident attorney team is highly regarded for its exceptional legal representation and has received accolades from esteemed organizations. In a single year, eight of our Champaign personal injury lawyers were recognized as either Super Lawyers® or Rising Stars.
The commitment of our Champaign bicycle crash law firm to providing vigorous and responsive service is reflected in our countless satisfied client reviews. We understand the unique challenges faced by bicycle accident victims and will fight tooth and nail for the justice and compensation you may be entitled to.
Factors that May Contribute to Bicycle Accidents in Champaign: FHWA Study
Here are the key findings of a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) research study on the factors behind bicycle accidents.
Location Factors
- Urban Areas: A majority of bicycle-motor vehicle collisions (approximately 70%) occur in urban environments where cycling is more prevalent.
- Intersections: About half (51%) of bicycle crashes happen at intersections or are closely related to them.
- Driveways and Alleys: Around 22% of accidents take place at junctions with commercial and private driveways or alleys, where vehicles may unexpectedly enter the roadway.
- Roadway Segments: The remaining 27% of crashes occur on straight roadway segments, typically where cyclists may feel more secure but still face risks from passing vehicles.
- Dense Street Grids: In compact urban areas with a high density of streets and short distances between intersections, an even more significant proportion of collisions may occur.
Behavioral Factors
- Failure to Yield: One of the most common types of crashes involves motorists failing to yield at intersections, whether they are controlled by signals or stop signs or are uncontrolled. These incidents often occur when motorists pull out or drive into intersections, colliding with cyclists who are crossing.
- Ignoring Signals: Motorists may need to stop for red signals or stop signs, or they may pull into the path of a cyclist after initially stopping. This includes scenarios where drivers make right turns on red without checking for oncoming cyclists or execute left turns at stop signs.
- Parallel Path Crashes: The most frequent type of parallel path crash involves a motorist turning or merging into the path of a bicyclist. This can happen when a driver turns left into the path of an oncoming cyclist, often from the opposite direction.
Indiana Law on Cars Overtaking Bicyclists
In Indiana, the law mandates that motor vehicle drivers must safely overtake and pass bicyclists with a minimum clearance of at least three feet. According to Indiana Code § 9-21-8-7, drivers are prohibited from returning to their lane of travel until it is safe to do so, ensuring that cyclists have enough space to ride safely alongside motor vehicles.
This law is designed to protect cyclists from being endangered by passing vehicles and to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Our knowledgeable bicycle injury lawyer in Champaign will fully utilize the state law provisions to your strategic advantage.
How Our Champaign Bicycle Accident Lawyers Will Prove Violations to Establish Liability
At Wagner Reese, our Champaign bicycle accident lawyers are committed to advocating for cyclists who have been injured due to violations of this law. To establish liability, we will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, gathering evidence such as photos and videos, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reports.
Our legal team will demonstrate how the driver failed to maintain the required three-foot clearance and returned to their lane unsafely, directly contributing to the collision. We will also collaborate with accident reconstruction experts to provide a comprehensive analysis of the incident, reinforcing the driver’s negligence in violating Indiana’s safety laws for bicyclists.
Get Dedicated Bicycle Accident Legal Help in Champaign Today
At Wagner Reese, our bicycle accident lawyers in Champaign, IN, have recovered over $300 million for our clients, backed by more than 150 years of collective experience. We offer a free case evaluation, including convenient evening and weekend appointments to accommodate your schedule. With our contingency fee model, you don’t pay us until and unless we win financial compensation for you. To schedule your free consultation, call us at (866) 991-4892 or contact us online.