Illinois Injury Law Blog

NBC Chicago recently reported on a tragic hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl riding her bike in front of her house.

Our Chicago bike accident lawyers want you to know that many times, when a driver flees the scene of a crash, it is because they don't have insurance. Getting an experienced attorney is critical in this case to help you make a claim against the at-fault driver.

The little girl was riding her bike near her home in the 3300 block of West 62nd Place when an SUV struck her and threw her from her bike. The SUV left the scene, according to law enforcement. Witnesses report seeing two women inside the vehicle and said the SUV is either silver or gray. A witness told police she chased the vehicle down the street, trying to get the driver's attention, but the vehicle sped away. The child was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she died from her injuries.

In Illinois, the law requires that all drivers must have liability insurance to protect themselves in case they are responsible for injuries caused by a car crash. Many drivers fail to have this required insurance in order to save in their monthly premium. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, you might be able to make an uninsured motorist claim. Illinois law treats hit-and-run drivers as uninsured motorists, so if you are involved in an accident with a hit-and-run driver, you can make a claim for uninsured motorist benefits under your own car insurance policy.

Bicycle Safety Tips:

-Wear a properly fitting helmet.

-Adjust the seat level of your bike to make sure your feet can touch the ground.

-Keep your bike in good working condition by greasing the chain, inflating the tires and checking the brakes.

-Never wear loose clothing and always wear bright, reflective colors.

-Ride in less congested areas. Children should be told what areas to stay away from.

-Pay attention to your surroundings.

-Visit the besafe.org website to learn proper hand signals so drivers know what you plan to do.

-Know the rules of the road. Cyclists have to obey traffic laws, ride with the flow of traffic and ride predictably.

-Never eat or use any electronic device while riding.

-Avoid riding at night.

-Expect the unexpected,. Keep water, a small first aid kit and a cell phone with you.