Electric Bicyclist Seriously Injured in Car Wreck on March 3, 2025 in Salem, IL

Injuries So Severe That Bicyclist Had To Be Life Flighted

A 54-year-old Salem man suffered serious injuries and had to be airlifted to a St. Louis hospital after his electric bike collided with a car whose driver failed to yield on South College at the entrance to Radiac Abrasives.

According to Salem Police, Bryan Hester of East Rainey was traveling southbound when 25-year-old Max Phillips of West Warmoth pulled out from the entrance of Radiac Abrasives directly in front of him. Phillips admitted to police that he did not see Hester before making the turn.

Hester had no opportunity to avoid the collision and was thrown from his bike upon impact. He was first taken to Salem Township Hospital but later transferred to St. Louis for further treatment due to the severity of his injuries.

Meanwhile, Phillips, who was uninjured in the crash, was cited for failure to yield when pulling out of a private drive. The wreck, which occurred just after 7 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025, highlights the critical importance of drivers exercising caution and properly checking for oncoming traffic before entering roadways, especially for vulnerable persons like pedestrians, bicyclists and operators of motorcycles.

Bicyclist Injured By Others Can Recover But Face Challenges

In Illinois, bicyclists injured by an at-fault driver have several legal avenues to obtain compensation for their damages. The most common method is filing a claim against the driver’s auto insurance policy. Illinois law requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, which covers injuries and property damage caused to others in an accident. The injured cyclist can seek damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any necessary rehabilitation costs. To strengthen their claim, they should collect evidence such as police reports, medical records, witness statements, and photos or videos of the accident scene. Importantly, the injured party needs to act immediately to preserve this evidence. If the insurance company disputes liability or offers an insufficient settlement, the bicyclist has the option to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver to seek full compensation.

Insurance companies in Illinois often aggressively fight injury claims from bicyclists to minimize payouts and protect their bottom line. One common tactic is disputing liability by arguing that the cyclist was partially or fully at fault for the accident, such as claiming they were not following traffic laws, riding in an unsafe manner, or failing to yield. In Illinois, if the cyclist is found to be 50% or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any damages. Even if the cyclist is less than 50% at fault, insurers may try to reduce the settlement by attributing a higher percentage of blame to them. Additionally, insurance companies try to downplay the severity of injuries or argue that pre-existing medical conditions contributed to the harm suffered. They might also offer lowball settlements early in the process, hoping the injured party will accept before fully understanding the long-term impact of their injuries.

Wishing A Full Recovery And How To Fight Back While Recovering