DEKALB COUNTY BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
Injured in a Bicycle Crash in DeKalb County? We’ve Recovered Over $500 Million for Clients Across Illinois.
- $500M+Recovered since 1945
- 77+Years fighting for victims
- $0Unless we win your case
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Legally reviewed by Stephen D. Phillips, Managing Partner, J.D., Loyola University Chicago · Past President, Illinois Trial Lawyers Association · Illinois State Bar Association
Last updated: September 2026
💼 $500M+ Recovered
⚖️ 75+ Years Experience
⭐ 4.9 Google Rating (113 Reviews)
Super Lawyers Top 100
📞 Free Consultation
DeKalb County’s Trusted Bicycle Accident Law Firm
A cyclist struck by a car absorbs the full force of the impact. Helmets help, but they cannot prevent the fractures, road rash, and head injuries that follow a collision with a vehicle. Phillips Law Offices has represented injury victims across Illinois since 1945, recovering over $500 million in verdicts and settlements.
Bicycle accidents in DeKalb County happen where bikes and cars share space, at intersections in DeKalb, Sycamore, and Genoa, at trail crossings along the Great Western Trail and the DeKalb-Sycamore path network, and on the shoulder of busy roads. Illinois requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet when passing and makes dooring a traffic offense, but violations are constant. Our attorneys know how to build these cases and pursue full compensation.
Every consultation is free. We work on contingency, you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Types of Bicycle Accident Cases We Handle in DeKalb County
Phillips Law Offices represents DeKalb County cyclists in every type of crash case. Each scenario involves different rules of the road, evidence, and insurance issues.
Left-Cross and Right-Hook Collisions
The two most common serious bike crashes: a driver turns left across an oncoming cyclist’s path, or overtakes and turns right directly into a cyclist. Both violate the cyclist’s right-of-way. We use scene evidence, vehicle damage patterns, and witness accounts to prove the driver’s fault.
Dooring Accidents
Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-1407) prohibits opening a vehicle door into moving traffic without checking for approaching cyclists. A cyclist thrown by an opening door often lands in the traffic lane, compounding the injuries. The motorist who opened the door is liable.
Three-Foot Passing Law Violations
Illinois requires drivers to leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle (625 ILCS 5/11-703). Sideswipes and forced run-offs on DeKalb County roads like IL-38 (Lincoln Highway), IL-23, Annie Glidden Road, and I-88 are direct evidence of a violation, and we hold those drivers fully accountable.
Trail and Path Crossing Accidents
Where the Great Western Trail and the DeKalb-Sycamore path network cross public streets, drivers frequently fail to yield to riders in the crossing. These cases turn on right-of-way rules, sight lines, and signage, and our attorneys investigate each crossing thoroughly.
Child Bicycle Injuries
Children on bikes are hard to see and unpredictable, which is exactly why Illinois law demands heightened care from drivers in residential areas of DeKalb, Sycamore, and Genoa. The statute of limitations is tolled for minors, but early evidence preservation still matters.
Catastrophic and Fatal Bike Crashes
Brain injuries, spinal injuries, and fatalities require a different level of case preparation, life-care planning, economic-loss analysis, and wrongful death claims. Our attorneys work with the right experts to document the full lifetime cost of catastrophic cycling injuries.
Illinois Bicycle Law: Full Rights to the Road
Under the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-1502), a person riding a bicycle has all of the rights and duties of a vehicle driver. Drivers must leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist (625 ILCS 5/11-703), may not open a door into a cyclist’s path (625 ILCS 5/11-1407), and must yield to cyclists exactly as they would to any other vehicle with the right-of-way.
Insurers often lean on anti-cyclist bias, arguing the rider “came out of nowhere” or should not have been on the road at all. That is not the law. Our attorneys counter with physical evidence and Illinois’ clear statutory protections, and we know the riding corridors of DeKalb County, from the Great Western Trail and the DeKalb-Sycamore path network to the road network connecting DeKalb, Sycamore, and Genoa.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in DeKalb County
The steps you take immediately after a bicycle accident protect both your health and your legal claim.
STEP 1
Get Medical Care Immediately
Cyclists frequently suffer injuries that adrenaline hides, concussions, internal injuries, and fractures that worsen without treatment. See a doctor the same day even if you feel able to ride away. The medical record created in the first 24 hours is often the most important evidence in your case.
STEP 2
Call 911 and Get a Police Report
Insist that police respond and document the crash, even if the driver wants to handle it informally. Give your account clearly and make sure the report reflects that you were riding lawfully. Get the driver’s license, plate, and insurance details before leaving the scene.
STEP 3
Preserve Your Bike and Gear
Do not repair your bicycle or discard your helmet and clothing, they are physical evidence of the impact’s force and direction. Photograph everything: the vehicle, the road, skid marks, your injuries, and the damaged bike.
STEP 4
Contact Phillips Law Offices Before Speaking to Insurance
The driver’s insurer may move quickly to get a recorded statement or push a fast, low settlement before the extent of your injuries is clear. Do not sign anything first. Call us at (312) 346-4262 for a free case evaluation.
Don’t Let Insurance Companies Decide What Your Case Is Worth
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your claim. Our attorneys are trained to maximize it. Get a free, honest evaluation of your DeKalb County bicycle accident case today.
(312) 346-4262
Personal Injury Case Results
Phillips Law Offices has a proven record of obtaining substantial compensation for personal injury victims across Illinois. These results reflect our commitment to thorough preparation and aggressive advocacy.
$25 Million
The Situation
A 17-year-old lost both kidneys due to a physician’s gross negligence.
Our Approach
Our attorneys litigated the case for four years, building the medical record needed to hold the responsible providers accountable.
The Result
$25 million settlement for the family.
$16 Million
The Situation
A spinal infection went undiagnosed and untreated in the emergency room, leaving our client paralyzed from the waist down.
Our Approach
We built the case against the treating hospital for the missed diagnosis and pursued full accountability.
The Result
$16 million settlement with the hospital.
$10 Million
The Situation
A child was seriously injured in an escalator incident at a Chicagoland shopping center.
Our Approach
Our attorneys litigated the case for six years to establish the property owner’s liability.
The Result
$10 million settlement for the family.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different.
Illinois Bicycle Accident Law: What DeKalb County Residents Need to Know
Bicycle injury claims are governed by the Illinois Vehicle Code and general personal injury law. Understanding these rules is essential for protecting your right to compensation.
Bikes Are Vehicles: Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1502, cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers. A driver who violates a cyclist’s right-of-way is negligent in the same way as one who violates another driver’s.
Three-Foot Rule and Dooring: Drivers must give cyclists at least three feet when passing (625 ILCS 5/11-703) and may not open a vehicle door into approaching traffic (625 ILCS 5/11-1407). Violations of either statute are strong evidence of negligence.
Statute of Limitations: You have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois (735 ILCS 5/13-202). Missing this deadline permanently bars your claim. For minors, the clock does not start until the child turns 18.
DeKalb County Court: All bicycle accident lawsuits in DeKalb County are filed in the DeKalb County Circuit Court, part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit (shared with Kendall County), 133 W. State Street, in Sycamore. Phillips Law Offices has experience with this court’s procedures. Read our complete guide to personal injury claims in Illinois for a detailed overv Read our complete guide to personal injury claims in Illinois for a detailed overview of the legal process.
Why DeKalb County Bicycle Accident Victims Choose Phillips Law Offices
Cyclists follow the rules and still get blamed by insurance companies the moment a crash happens. We put the focus back where Illinois law puts it, on the driver who failed to share the road.
, Stephen D. Phillips, Senior Partner
- Over $500 million recovered for injured clients since 1945
- Five experienced trial attorneys including Stephen D. Phillips (41+ years)
- Command of Illinois’ three-foot passing, dooring, and right-of-way statutes
- Rapid preservation of bikes, helmets, camera footage, and vehicle data
- Access to accident reconstruction, medical, and economic experts
- Deep knowledge of DeKalb County’s courts and local procedures
- Contingency fee basis, no fee unless we recover compensation for you
- Direct attorney access throughout your case
What Our Clients Say
“After consulting with Steve Phillips about a serious legal problem my family was dealing with, I knew from the start that he was the best attorney to handle my case. He was very attentive and patient. …”
Mike D, Google Review
“Highly recommended. Had very exceptional experience with this Law firm. Without a doubt would recommend to anyone. The two Attorneys we worked with were extremely pleasant, knowledgeable, and diligent. Excellent Law Firm.”
Patricia Tarkington, Google Review
DeKalb County Local Resources
DeKalb County Circuit Court: 133 W. State St, Sycamore, IL 60178. 23rd Judicial Circuit.
Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital: 1 Kish Hospital Dr, DeKalb, IL 60115.
Crash Reports: Reports for DeKalb County bicycle collisions are available from the responding local police department, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, or the Illinois State Police, depending on where the crash occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions from DeKalb County residents about bicycle accident claims under Illinois law.
Do cyclists have the same rights as drivers in Illinois?
Yes. Under 625 ILCS 5/11-1502, a person riding a bicycle on the roadway has all of the rights and duties of a vehicle driver. Drivers must yield to cyclists with the right-of-way, pass with at least three feet of clearance, and check for cyclists before opening a door.
What is the Illinois three-foot passing law?
Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-703) requires a driver overtaking a bicycle to leave at least three feet of distance between the vehicle and the cyclist, and to maintain that clearance until safely past. A sideswipe or forced run-off during a pass is strong evidence the driver violated this statute.
Who is liable in a dooring accident?
The person who opened the door. Illinois law (625 ILCS 5/11-1407) prohibits opening a vehicle door on the traffic side unless it is reasonably safe to do so. Liability typically falls on the motorist or passenger who opened the door into the cyclist’s path, and their auto insurance responds to the claim.
Can I recover damages if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes. Illinois has no statewide helmet requirement for adult cyclists, and not wearing one does not bar your claim. Insurers may argue it should reduce damages for head injuries, and we push back on that argument with medical evidence and Illinois’ comparative negligence standard.
Which court handles bicycle accident lawsuits in DeKalb County?
All bicycle accident lawsuits in DeKalb County are filed in the DeKalb County Circuit Court, part of the 23rd Judicial Circuit (shared with Kendall County), 133 W. State Street, in Sycamore. Phillips Law Offices has experience with this court’s procedures. Read our complete guide to personal injury claims in Illinois for a detailed overv This court handles civil litigation including bicycle accident cases arising anywhere in DeKalb County. Phillips Law Offices has extensive experience filing and litigating cases in this court.
What is the statute of limitations for a bicycle accident claim in Illinois?
You have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Illinois (735 ILCS 5/13-202). For minors, the clock does not start until the child turns 18. Missing the filing deadline permanently bars your claim.
What if the driver’s insurance denies I had the right of way?
That is a common insurer tactic against cyclists. We counter it with physical evidence, vehicle damage patterns, scene photographs, surveillance and doorbell camera footage, witness statements, and Illinois’ explicit statutory protections for cyclists. Fault disputes are exactly why you want an attorney involved early.
How much does it cost to hire a bicycle accident lawyer?
Phillips Law Offices handles all bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We advance all case costs, including experts and records. Your initial consultation is free and confidential.
Talk to a DeKalb County Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
(312) 346-4262
Related: Bicycle Accident Lawyer | DeKalb County Car Accident Lawyer | DeKalb County Personal Injury Lawyer | Complete Guide to PI Claims
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Contact Phillips Law Offices for a free consultation about your DeKalb County bicycle accident case.