I'll never forget the call I got one rainy October morning.
A cyclist had been doored on Milwaukee Avenue near Wicker Park. She was heading to work, riding in the bike lane like she did every single day, when someone flung open a car door without looking.
Threw her right into traffic. Fractured collarbone. Destroyed bike. Medical bills piling up.
The insurance company offered her $2,000.
Two thousand dollars.
That didn't even cover her ER visit. Let alone her lost wages. Or the custom bike she'd saved for months to buy.
And here's what kills me...
This happens all the time. Cyclists get hit. They're in pain. Bills are piling up. And insurance adjusters lowball them and try to blame THEM for getting hit.
If you've been hit by a car while cycling in Chicago—whether on the Lakefront Trail, in a bike lane in Logan Square, doored downtown, or anywhere else—you deserve full compensation.
I'm Scott DeSalvo. I'm a Chicago bicycle accident lawyer.
Here's my promise:
No money out of pocket. No fee until we win. And you can call me 24/7/365—any time, day or night.
Most people don't know this...
But under Illinois law and Chicago's Municipal Code, bicyclists have the same rights to use roadways as cars do.
Yet every year, hundreds of cyclists in Chicago get injured because drivers don't respect those rights.
Let me break down the laws that protect you:
Chicago Municipal Code 9-52-020 tells you where you can and can't ride. When you're following the rules and still get hit? The law is on your side.
Illinois Vehicle Code 625 ILCS 5/11-703(d) requires drivers to give you at least 3 feet when they pass. They violate this "three-foot law" and cause an accident? They're liable.
Chicago Municipal Code 9-16-020(e) and (f) tells drivers what they must do at intersections. Drivers turning left must yield to you. Drivers turning right can't cut you off. Period.
Chicago Municipal Code 9-40-060 makes "dooring" illegal. Despite this law being on the books, dooring is still one of the most common ways cyclists get hurt in the Loop, River North, and Lakeview.
I use these ordinances to build your case and shut down the insurance company when they try to blame you.
I've represented riders injured in every type of bicycle accident you can imagine throughout Chicago's 77 neighborhoods.
Here's what I see most often:
Dooring is the most common and most preventable bicycle crash in Chicago.
It happens most in high-parking-turnover areas—the Loop, River North, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Wicker Park, and along busy commercial streets like Clark, Halsted, and Milwaukee Avenue.
Someone opens a car door without checking. You have zero time to react. The impact throws you into moving traffic, causing secondary collisions.
Common injuries: Broken collarbones, fractured ribs, shoulder injuries, head trauma, severe road rash.
Illinois law is clear: drivers and passengers must check for approaching bicycles before opening doors (Chicago Municipal Code 9-40-060). When they don't, they're liable for every injury and dollar of damage they cause.
Chicago's busy intersections are danger zones for cyclists. I handle these all the time:
Right Hook Accidents – A driver turns right into you while you're riding straight through an intersection or along the right side of the road. Super common along Western Avenue, Ashland Avenue, and in the West Loop where delivery trucks are constantly turning.
Left Hook Accidents – An oncoming driver turns left in front of you when you have the right of way. Chicago Municipal Code 9-16-020(e) says drivers must yield to bicycles approaching from the opposite direction.
Failure to Stop – Drivers run red lights or stop signs and strike you when you're lawfully proceeding through the intersection. I see way too many of these on the South Side and West Side.
Chicago has over 300 miles of bike lanes. You'd think that would keep you safe, right?
Wrong.
I still handle too many cases where drivers illegally encroach on bike lanes:
- Delivery trucks blocking bike lanes on commercial streets
- Rideshare drivers stopping suddenly in bike lanes to pick up passengers
- Drivers drifting into bike lanes without signaling
- Cars using bike lanes as turning lanes
- Vehicles parking in protected bike lanes
You have every right to use designated bike infrastructure safely. When drivers violate that space and cause accidents, I hold them accountable.
Hit-and-run bicycle accidents are devastating. The driver leaves you lying there and takes off.
But here's what most cyclists don't know: You still have options.
You may recover compensation through:
- Your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage
- Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage if we identify the driver later
- The Illinois Crime Victims Compensation Program
- Property owner liability in certain situations
I work with investigators. I find surveillance footage. I interview witnesses. I use accident reconstruction. And whenever possible, I identify hit-and-run drivers and make them pay.
This happens when a driver passes too close to you, violating Illinois' three-foot passing law.
Common on busy streets without bike lanes—portions of Diversey Avenue, North Avenue, and throughout neighborhoods with heavy traffic like Pilsen, Bridgeport, and the Near North Side.
Commercial vehicles are especially dangerous because of:
- Large blind spots
- Wide turning radius
- The catastrophic injuries that result when something that big hits you
I've successfully represented cyclists injured by:
- CTA buses making turns without checking blind spots
- Delivery trucks backing up without looking
- Semi-trucks making wide right turns in industrial areas
- Construction vehicles in work zones
When a car hits a bicycle, the injuries are usually severe.
Why? Because you don't have a protective shell around you like someone in a car does.
Here's what I see in my bicycle accident cases:
Even with a helmet, the force of impact can cause concussions, skull fractures, and permanent brain damage. The brain is truly the seat of our souls. A blow to the head, or even a violent movement of the body, can cause brain trauma. These injuries require extensive rehab and can affect your cognitive function, personality, and quality of life for years.
When you get thrown from your bike or struck by a vehicle, spinal cord injuries can result in paraplegia or quadriplegia. Life-altering conditions that require lifetime care.
Extremely common. The most frequent:
- Collarbone (clavicle) fractures—the #1 cycling injury
- Wrist and arm fractures from trying to break your fall
- Facial fractures including jaw, nose, and cheekbone
- Pelvic fractures from high-impact collisions
- Leg and ankle fractures
- Rib fractures that can cause internal injuries
May sound minor but can be excruciating. Severe cases require skin grafts. These injuries often leave permanent scarring and need extensive wound care.
Organ damage, internal bleeding, punctured lungs. Can be life-threatening and may not show up immediately after the accident.
You never realize how much you use both hands until you have a shoulder injury. Not being able to lift your arm or use your hand while dressing, working or caring for children introduces you to a new world of frustration. From torn rotator cuffs to nagging sprains to broken bones, these injuries change everything.
Chronic pain affects everything you do, from sitting, standing, walking, and even sleeping. It truly changes how you do everything in your life.
Many cyclists develop PTSD, anxiety about riding again, and depression following serious accidents. While such injuries have become more accepted, they're real and they're compensable under Illinois law.
Most cyclists have no idea how much their case is actually worth.
Insurance companies count on that. They offer you a quick, low settlement before you understand your rights.
Here's what I fight to recover for you:
Medical Expenses:
- Emergency room and ambulance
- Hospital stays and surgery
- Tests (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
- Medications and medical equipment
- Physical therapy and rehab
- Future medical care
- Home health care if needed
Chicago has world-class medical facilities—Northwestern Memorial, Rush University Medical Center, University of Chicago Medical Center. But treatment is expensive. You shouldn't pay out of pocket for injuries someone else caused.
Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity:
- Time missed from work
- Sick days and vacation days used
- Lost overtime and bonuses
- Reduced earning capacity if you can't return to your job
- Loss of future earnings if injuries are permanent
I've helped clients who've missed weeks or months of work. I know how to document and prove these losses to maximize your recovery.
Property Damage:
- Your bicycle (full replacement value)
- Helmet and cycling gear
- Clothing damaged in the accident
- Phone, watch, or other electronics
- Any other personal property destroyed
Quality bikes cost thousands. You're entitled to full replacement value—not what the insurance company wants to pay for a "used bike."
Pain and Suffering – Physical pain, discomfort, and reduced quality of life. Some injuries cause ongoing pain that affects everything you do.
Emotional Distress:
- Anxiety and depression
- PTSD and fear of cycling again
- Loss of enjoyment of activities you loved
- Sleep disturbances and nightmares
Loss of Consortium – Compensates your spouse for loss of companionship if your injuries significantly impact your relationship.
Permanent Disability or Disfigurement:
- Permanent limitations on activities
- Visible scarring
- Loss of bodily function
- Permanent pain conditions
Some bicycle accidents cause life-changing injuries—traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations—that deserve substantial compensation reflecting the permanent impact on your life.
I don't just talk about getting results. I deliver them.
Here are some recent Chicago bicycle accident settlements and verdicts I've obtained:
- $1,850,000 for a cyclist who suffered multiple fractures and a traumatic brain injury after being struck by a commercial vehicle in the West Loop
- $1,275,000 for a bicycle messenger doored in the Loop who sustained a severe shoulder injury requiring multiple surgeries
- $925,000 for a recreational cyclist hit by a delivery truck making an illegal right turn in Lincoln Park
- $675,000 for a cyclist struck in a hit-and-run accident on the Lakefront Trail (recovered through uninsured motorist coverage)
- $485,000 for a commuter cyclist who suffered a fractured pelvis and internal injuries after being sideswiped in Wicker Park
These aren't just numbers. These are real people whose lives were turned upside down by negligent drivers. These results represent accountability and the resources my clients needed to rebuild their lives.
Find Out What YOUR Case Might Be Worth...for free.
Bicycle accident cases are fundamentally different from typical car accident claims.
Too many attorneys treat them the same way. And cyclists end up with inadequate settlements that don't cover their actual losses.
Here's what I see:
I've seen it hundreds of times. An insurance adjuster offers a cyclist a few thousand dollars and claims it's "fair compensation."
They're counting on you not knowing your rights or the true value of your claim.
Common tactics:
- Claiming you were partially at fault without evidence
- Arguing you shouldn't have been in the road
- Downplaying injury severity
- Pressuring for quick settlements before you know the full extent of your injuries
- Offering to pay for the bike but not injuries
- Using recorded statements against you
I shut down these tactics immediately with facts, evidence, and aggressive advocacy.
Despite clear laws protecting cyclists' rights to use roadways, there's still a bias against cyclists.
There's a bias against bicycle riders, but most cyclists are safe, careful riders because they know that it's THEIR behind on the line on the streets and roads of Illinois.
Adjusters routinely argue:
- You should have been on the sidewalk (often illegal)
- You were "asking for it" by riding in traffic
- You weren't wearing reflective clothing
- You should have been more defensive
These arguments ignore driver negligence and violate Illinois law.
I know the Illinois Vehicle Code and Chicago Municipal Code inside and out. I use them to dismantle victim-blaming arguments. Many people are quick to blame the bicycle rider. Make sure that doesn't happen to you if you've been hurt on a bike.
Unlike car accidents where both vehicles stay at the scene, bicycle accident evidence vanishes quickly:
- Skid marks fade within days
- Surveillance footage gets deleted on 7-30 day cycles
- Witnesses move on
- Bike lane conditions change
- Weather and traffic patterns evolve
I act immediately to preserve crucial evidence—police reports, video footage from businesses, accident scene photos, bike lane documentation, witness interviews while memories are fresh.
The earlier the evidence is assembled, the better your likely outcome. The key is working with someone who knows what they're doing and has a proven track record of success on bicycle accident cases.
Our city has specific ordinances about bike lanes, dooring, and cyclist rights that don't exist everywhere.
I know how to use Chicago's Municipal Code and Illinois Vehicle Code to build the strongest possible case for your compensation.
This local expertise makes the difference between a weak settlement and full recovery.
In Illinois, you generally have two years from your accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit.
But here's the catch: If your accident involves a government entity (CTA bus, city vehicle, or accident caused by poor road maintenance), you may have as little as one year to file—and you must provide notice within even shorter timeframes.
Don't wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses become unavailable. Insurance companies use delay tactics against you.
The sooner you call me, the stronger your case will be.
If you're able, take these steps:
1. Call 911 – Get police and paramedics there
2. Get medical attention – Even if you feel "fine," adrenaline masks injuries
3. Document everything – Photos of the scene, vehicles, your bike, injuries, road conditions
4. Get driver information – License, insurance, contact details
5. Identify witnesses – Names and phone numbers
6. Don't give statements – Politely decline recorded statements to insurance companies
7. Preserve evidence – Don't repair or discard your bike or damaged gear
8. Call me – 24/7/365, I'm available to protect your rights immediately
Yes.
Illinois law does not require adults to wear helmets while cycling. The lack of a helmet cannot be used to deny your claim.
However, helmet use may affect damages related specifically to head injuries. If you suffered head injuries while not wearing a helmet, the defense may argue your injuries would have been less severe with a helmet, potentially reducing that portion of your damages.
That said, failure to wear a helmet does not reduce your compensation for broken bones, road rash, lost wages, or other non-head injuries.
I fight to ensure you receive full compensation regardless of helmet use.
Illinois follows a "modified comparative negligence" rule.
You can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault—as long as you were less than 50% responsible for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Example: If your total damages are $100,000 and you're found 20% at fault, you can recover $80,000.
Insurance companies routinely try to inflate the cyclist's fault percentage to reduce payouts.
I aggressively defend against these tactics and work to minimize or eliminate any alleged cyclist fault.
It is important to note that it's not entirely up to the police officer who wrote the police report or an insurance adjuster to decide who is at fault. It's important that you have someone who understands all of the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists in Illinois to help advocate for you.
Every case is unique. Honest attorneys won't give you a specific number without reviewing your case details.
The reality is that just like no two people are the same, no two cases are the same.
Factors that influence case value:
- Severity and permanence of injuries
- Total medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Property damage (bike and gear)
- Pain and suffering
- Impact on quality of life
- Available insurance coverage
- Strength of liability evidence
I provide honest case evaluations during free consultations. I'll never inflate expectations to get you to sign up, and I'll never pressure you to settle for less than you deserve.
This is common and frustrating. But you have options:
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage – Your own auto insurance policy may cover you even when you're on a bicycle. Many cyclists don't realize their car insurance applies to bicycle accidents.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage – If the at-fault driver has some insurance but not enough to cover your damages, your UIM coverage may make up the difference.
Personal Assets – We can pursue the at-fault driver's personal assets in some cases.
Multiple Defendants – Sometimes other parties share liability (vehicle owners, employers, property owners).
I explore every possible source of recovery to maximize your compensation.
Most bicycle accident cases settle within 6-18 months.
However, timelines vary based on:
- Injury severity and treatment duration
- Whether liability is disputed
- Insurance company cooperation
- Need for expert witnesses
- Court schedules if litigation is necessary
I never rush your case. You should not settle until you've reached maximum medical improvement and we know the full extent of your injuries and future needs.
It can take months to build a strong case, including the time it takes to gather evidence, review documents, interview witnesses and consult with experts, if needed. Another thing to consider is that over time, evidence that can help you prove negligence can be lost or destroyed. The memories of witnesses can also fade and they may forget certain details.
Studies show accident victims represented by attorneys recover 3.5 times more on average than those who handle claims themselves—even after attorney fees.
Here's why:
- I know what your case is actually worth
- I prevent insurance company manipulation
- I gather evidence you don't know exists
- I negotiate from a position of strength
- I'm prepared to go to trial if necessary
- I handle all paperwork and deadlines
- I have relationships with medical providers who will defer payment
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers protecting their interests. You deserve experienced representation protecting yours.
If you've been injured in an accident, contact me as soon as possible. I'll deal with the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, and can even help you obtain much-needed medical treatment for your injuries at no upfront cost to you.
Nothing upfront. Nothing out of pocket.
I work on a contingency fee basis:
- Free initial consultation
- No retainer fees
- No hourly charges
- I advance all case costs (experts, filing fees, investigations)
- I only get paid if you get paid
- My fee comes as a percentage of your recovery
You never pay me any fees for anything I do. My initial consultations are absolutely free, and I only get paid as a percentage of the compensation I obtain for you. So I don't get paid unless you do.
This means everyone has access to experienced legal representation regardless of financial situation.
Look, there are plenty of personal injury lawyers in Chicago.
Here's why I'm different:
When I was nine years old, my father was catastrophically injured.
His injury case took 17 years to resolve.
At the end of 17 years of being run around by the insurance company and insurance defense lawyer, his own lawyer sued him to get more lawyer fees.
Guess what I discovered when I started practicing injury law?
Even though my father's case was an extreme example, the way injured people get treated by the insurance company, Defense lawyers and even their own lawyers isn't much different.
So I decided to represent injured people in a different way. A better way.
People who've been injured deserve to have their phone calls answered. They deserve a lawyer they like, trust, and respect. They deserve to know where their case stands and have their questions answered.
And they deserve a lawyer who works hard and smart on their case.
I make sure everyone on my team understands: winning your case while helping you and being there for you is our #1 goal.
To get every dollar my clients deserve—whether at settlement or trial—I've spent the last 2 decades studying with the "best of the best."
I've spent well over $100,000 for advanced settlement and trial training that most other lawyers never even consider.
I've flown all over the country (and continue to do so) to study with top legal minds.
I'm a graduate of:
- The world-renowned "Gerry Spence Trial Lawyer's College"
- The prestigious "The Edge" program
Not one in 10,000 lawyers has completed the training I have.
Why did I do it?
So you get the very best, most cutting-edge and effective representation possible.
I spend thousands of dollars and dozens of hours every year, (more than any other lawyer I know, and far more than I am required to) learning the latest trial and case strategy techniques with one goal in mind: doing whatever it takes to give you the best legal representation you can find anywhere.
From our one-of-a-kind, in-house developed automated case management software to our proprietary pre-suit case process, my firm discovers more about your case, earlier.
We beat the insurance company to the punch.
That means better results and faster case settlements for all of my injury clients, no matter how they got hurt or the kind of injury.
Insurance companies only offer fair settlements when they know you're willing and able to go to trial.
I'm an actual trial lawyer who isn't afraid to take your case to court.
I prepare every case as if it's going to trial from day one:
- Detailed investigation and evidence gathering
- Expert witness retention when needed
- Thorough legal research
- Comprehensive demand packages that prove value
- Readiness to litigate if settlement talks fail
This trial-ready reputation precedes me and motivates insurance companies to make reasonable offers.
I've spent years working for injured cyclists to obtain the best possible settlements for my clients. I know what it takes to get you what you deserve.
I represent injured cyclists throughout the entire Chicago metropolitan area—all 77 Chicago neighborhoods and surrounding communities:
North Side: Rogers Park, West Ridge, Uptown, Lincoln Square, Edison Park, Norwood Park, Jefferson Park, Forest Glen, North Center, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Avondale, Logan Square
Northwest Side: Portage Park, Irving Park, Dunning, Montclare, Belmont Cragin, Hermosa
West Side: Austin, West Town, Humboldt Park, West Garfield Park, East Garfield Park, Near West Side, North Lawndale, South Lawndale, Lower West Side
Central: Near North Side, Loop, Near South Side
South Side: Armour Square, Douglas, Oakland, Fuller Park, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Washington Park, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, South Shore, Chatham, Avalon Park, South Chicago, Burnside, Calumet Heights, Roseland, Pullman, South Deering, East Side, West Pullman, Riverdale, Hegewisch
Southwest Side: Garfield Ridge, Archer Heights, Brighton Park, McKinley Park, New City, West Elsdon, Gage Park, Clearing, West Lawn, Chicago Lawn, West Englewood, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, Ashburn, Auburn Gresham, Beverly, Washington Heights, Mount Greenwood, Morgan Park
Suburbs: Evanston, Skokie, Oak Park, Cicero, Berwyn, Oak Lawn, Schaumburg, Naperville, Aurora, Joliet, and throughout Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, and Kane Counties
No matter where your bicycle accident occurred in the Chicago area, if you were injured due to someone else's negligence, I want to hear from you.
No matter how you or a loved one has been hurt, I truly hope to hear from you to see how I can help.
You can call my office any time, night or day.
Why not get a free consultation?
1. You call for free (or I can call you)
2. I listen to your story
3. I answer your questions & concerns
4. I tell you my plan
5. You can hire me or not hire me, your choice
6. Either way, we end up as friends
Sound good?
Free Case Evaluation – Available in-person, by phone, or by email—YOUR CHOICE! I'll listen to your story, review the facts of your accident, and give you honest advice about your legal options. No obligation. No pressure. No charge.
Immediate Action – If you decide to hire me, I start working immediately:
- Contacting insurance companies to protect your rights
- Beginning evidence collection before it's lost
- Ensuring you get necessary medical treatment
- Sending preservation letters for surveillance footage
- Documenting the accident scene
- Identifying and interviewing witnesses
No Money Out of Pocket – You won't pay anything upfront. I handle all case expenses. You don't pay me a dime unless I win your case and recover compensation for you.
24/7/365 Availability – Always Available. Call me any time—day or night, weekday or weekend, holiday or regular day. When you're injured and worried, you need answers now.
You didn't ask to be hit by a negligent driver. You were simply trying to get to work, run errands, get exercise, or enjoy Chicago's cycling infrastructure.
Now you're facing injuries, mounting bills, lost income, and uncertainty about the future.
Let me fight for the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing, recovering, and eventually getting back on your bike with confidence.
You've already been victimized once by a careless driver. Don't let the insurance company victimize you again with a lowball settlement.
Your fight is my fight. You can count on my team to help you in your time of need.
Hiring Scott was one of the best moves I have made in my life. Scott is a down to earth person and attorney. Scott is a 5 star first class act who really knows his stuff. The Judge said his presentation was one of if not the best he had ever seen. Take my advice, hire Scott I’m sure you’ll be 200% satisfied I was.
Scott not only cares about the case, but he truly cares about his clients and that makes him the best lawyer I have ever met and hired! He won my case! He is thorough in everything he does. I highly recommend Scott, and will always refer him to family and friends.
I hired Scott DeSalvo upon a friend’s recommendation. His office kept me informed of developments as they happened, and I felt the settlement reached was fair considering my injuries. I would highly recommend Scott DeSalvo to represent your personal injury case.
Call any time, day or night. I'm here to help.
Not ready to talk?
Click the button below and tell me about your situation and what's going on. I look forward to hearing from you and your injury and what I can do to help.
Main Office:
1000 Jorie Blvd Ste 204
Oak Brook, IL 60523
New Cases: 312-500-4500
Office: 1 312-895-0545
Fax: 1 866-629-1817
service@desalvolaw.com
Chicago and Other Suburban Offices
By Appointment Only
