Bike Laws Series Part 3 Vulnerable Road User Laws

As we’ve discussed, May is National Bike Month and we’re talking about Illinois Bike Laws and what you need to know about your legal rights as a bicyclist. Bicycle advocates have fought hard for the right to the road and continue to shape our traffic laws to better accommodate people on bikes.

Vulnerable Road User Laws – Illinois does not define who is a “vulnerable road user,” but protects bicyclists by providing that a person driving a motor vehicle shall not, in a reckless manner, drive the motor vehicle unnecessarily close to, toward, or near a bicyclist, pedestrian, or animal-drawn vehicle. Basically, VRU laws, which are relatively new, increase protection for bicyclists and other road users who are not in cars. Automobiles provide a shell of protection for their users, creating a safety disparity between cars and other road users. There is a difference between what occurs when a car is hit at 25 miles-per-hour and what occurs when a pedestrian is hit at 25 mph. The vast majority of VRU laws provide for increased fines or civil liability in cases where a vulnerable road user is injured or killed because of negligence or as the result of a traffic violation.

At Dixon Law Office, we understand how dangerous the roads can be for cyclists. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bike accident, you need an experienced personal injury attorney to review your case and get you the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses. Call Dixon Law Office today toll-free at (888)354-9880 or click here for a free consultation.