Bicycle Accident Claims in Illinois
Bicycle rules in Illinois (passing distance, helmets, riding rules), how fault is shared after a bike crash, and the deadline to sue.
Short answer: A person riding a bicycle on a highway has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, except for special bicycle rules. 625 ILCS 5/11-1502, 11-703(d), 11-1505, 11-1512
| Bicycle laws | A person riding a bicycle on a highway has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, except for special bicycle rules. A driver passing a bicycle must change lanes when another lane going the same way is available and practicable, and must leave at least 3 feet. Cyclists going slower than traffic ride as close as practicable and safe to the right edge, with listed exceptions. Cyclists on a sidewalk must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing them. Read on ilga.gov on 2026-10-28. |
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| Fault rule (comparative negligence) | Modified comparative fault (51% bar). In negligence and strict product liability cases for bodily injury, death or property damage, a plaintiff whose fault is more than 50% of the cause recovers nothing. A plaintiff whose fault is 50% or less recovers damages reduced by his or her share of fault. No fault may be attributed to a plaintiff suing over childhood sexual abuse. Source: 735 ILCS 5/2-1116 |
| Minimum car insurance | Vehicles must be covered by liability insurance of at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one crash, and $20,000 for property damage (25/50/20). Source: 625 ILCS 5/7-601, 5/7-203 |
| Deadline to sue for an injury | A lawsuit for injury to the person (and for false imprisonment or malicious prosecution) must be filed within 2 years after the cause of action accrued. Claims for damages from first degree murder or a Class X felony, where the perpetrator is convicted, are excluded from this limit. Source: 735 ILCS 5/13-202 |
More Illinois personal injury & wrongful death
- Deadlines to File an Injury Lawsuit in Illinois
- Wrongful Death Lawsuits in Illinois
- Medical Malpractice Rules in Illinois
- Car Accident Claims in Illinois
- Dog Bite Liability in Illinois
- Slip, Trip and Fall Injuries in Illinois
- Sidewalk and Public Property Falls in Illinois
- Motorcycle Accident Claims in Illinois
- Pedestrian Accident Claims in Illinois
- Uber and Lyft Accident Claims in Illinois
- Truck Accident Claims in Illinois
- Construction Site Injuries in Illinois
- All Illinois personal injury & wrongful death rules
FAQ
What are the bicycle laws in Illinois?
A person riding a bicycle on a highway has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, except for special bicycle rules. A driver passing a bicycle must change lanes when another lane going the same way is available and practicable, and must leave at least 3 feet. Cyclists going slower than traffic ride as close as practicable and safe to the right edge, with listed exceptions. Cyclists on a sidewalk must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing them.
Can you recover damages if you were partly at fault in Illinois?
Modified comparative fault (51% bar). In negligence and strict product liability cases for bodily injury, death or property damage, a plaintiff whose fault is more than 50% of the cause recovers nothing. A plaintiff whose fault is 50% or less recovers damages reduced by his or her share of fault. No fault may be attributed to a plaintiff suing over childhood sexual abuse.
What is the minimum car insurance required in Illinois?
Vehicles must be covered by liability insurance of at least $25,000 for injury or death of one person, $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one crash, and $20,000 for property damage (25/50/20).
What is the statute of limitations for personal injury in Illinois?
A lawsuit for injury to the person (and for false imprisonment or malicious prosecution) must be filed within 2 years after the cause of action accrued. Claims for damages from first degree murder or a Class X felony, where the perpetrator is convicted, are excluded from this limit.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.