Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog

November 4, 2026

Chicago’s New Concrete Bike Lane Barriers and Pedestrian Islands: A Growing Danger as Darkness Falls Earlier

Across Chicago, streets are undergoing dramatic changes. Concrete barriers protecting bicycle lanes, curb bump-outs extending into intersections, and raised pedestrian islands are appearing on streets where motorists have driven for decades.

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) has installed these structures as part of its efforts to reduce traffic speeds, protect bicyclists, and improve pedestrian safety. These are worthwhile goals and the Chicago personal injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. support them. However, there is growing concern that some of these concrete structures are themselves creating dangerous conditions for motorists, particularly when they are difficult to see.

With daylight saving time now over and darkness arriving earlier, the risk of striking these concrete barriers deserves renewed attention.

September 11, 2026

Chicago Bump-Outs Can Create Serious Hazards for E-Scooter and Bicycle Riders

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

Concrete islands, curb extensions and so-called “bump-outs” are often installed on Chicago streets in an effort to slow traffic, shorten pedestrian crossings or organize parking and traffic lanes. When properly designed and clearly marked, these improvements may serve an important safety purpose.

But when a concrete bump-out suddenly extends into the path of a bicyclist or e-scooter rider, particularly when it is difficult to see , the supposed safety improvement can itself become a serious hazard.

A recent tragic e-scooter death in Chicago demonstrates just how serious this problem can be.

September 8, 2026

Warning Signs a Dog May Bite: What Chicago Residents Should Know

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

Dogs are a part of everyday life in Chicago. We encounter them on sidewalks, in parks, in apartment buildings, at neighborhood restaurants and while visiting friends and family. Most of these encounters are harmless. But dog bites remain a serious source of injury in Illinois, and many attacks may be preceded by warning signs that people do not recognize.

A Chicago Sun-Times article, “Dog trainers stress importance of ‘recognizing yellow lights’ to prevent aggressive behavior and dog bites,” highlights both the frequency of dog-bite claims in Illinois and some of the behavioral signals that can appear before a dog attacks. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Illinois Ranks Among the States With the Most Dog-Bite Claims

August 29, 2026

Chicago E-Bike Accidents, and Cars, Bike Lanes, Potholes, and City Liability

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

An e-bike rider may suffer the same physical impact as a motorcyclist while receiving far less protection. The rider has no passenger compartment, airbag, seat belt, or structural frame. A turning vehicle, open car door, blocked bicycle lane, pothole, broken pavement, or unsafe path can produce a head injury, fracture, spinal injury, or permanent scarring in seconds.

Determining legal responsibility requires more than identifying where the rider fell. A lawyer must identify who controlled the vehicle or property, what rules governed the location, whether the rider had a legal right to use it, what notice the responsible party received, and what evidence still exists.

Chicago e-bike cases may involve several distinct claims:

August 26, 2026

Truck Accidents Are Different and Why Every Hour Matters After a Chicago Semi Truck Crash

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

A collision with a fully loaded tractor-trailer can change a family’s life in seconds. Unlike ordinary automobile accidents, truck accident cases involve federal safety regulations, multiple companies, electronic records, maintenance documents, and evidence that can disappear quickly if it is not preserved.

The first hours after a truck crash are often the most important.

A Truck Accident Is Rarely Just About the Driver

August 24, 2026

Chicago E Bike Accidents and Who Is Responsible When a Car Drives Into a Bike Lane?

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

Electric bicycles have become part of everyday life in Chicago. Every day thousands of riders share the road with motorists. Unfortunately, as the number of e-bikes has increased, so have serious collisions. Illinois law places duties on both motorists and governmental entities. Understanding those duties can make the difference between recovering compensation and walking away with nothing.

Drivers Must Watch for Cyclists

Motorists do not own the roadway. Drivers must operate their vehicles with reasonable care, watch for cyclists before turning, opening doors, changing lanes, or crossing bike lanes, and obey Illinois traffic laws designed to protect vulnerable road users.

August 23, 2026

Chicago’s Streets and Lakefront Trails Are Becoming Dangerous for Pedestrians: Who Is Protecting the Public? E-Bikes, Dirt Bikes, E-Scooters and Other Motorized Vehicles Are Creating New Risks for Chicago Pedestrians

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

Chicago is a city meant to be experienced on foot or on a pedal bike. Residents walk to work, families stroll through neighborhood streets and parks, children ride bicycles, runners use the lakefront, and visitors explore the city on sidewalks and trails.

But the way people move through Chicago is changing rapidly.

E-bikes, electric scooters, dirt bikes, electric motorcycles, e-wheels and other motorized devices have become increasingly common. Many riders use these vehicles responsibly. But when motorized vehicles are operated at excessive speeds, on sidewalks, through pedestrian areas or in areas intended primarily for walking and recreation, they can create a serious danger for people who have little protection in a collision. The pedestrian injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. have seen first hand the consequences of these collisions.

August 11, 2026

The History of Tort Law and the American Jury: Putting Faith in Ordinary People

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

The History of Tort Law and the American Jury: Putting Faith in Ordinary People

When someone is injured because another person or company was careless, the right to seek compensation may seem like an ordinary part of American law. But the modern personal injury case is the product of centuries of legal development.

American tort law did not begin with a single statute or constitutional provision. It grew from the English common law, was reshaped by American courts and legislatures, and continues to evolve as society, technology, transportation, medicine, and commerce change.

August 10, 2026

Chicago’s E-Scooter Fantasy vs. Reality: Is the City Creating a False Sense of Safety?

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

Chicago has embraced “micromobility” as part of the future of urban transportation. E-scooters and e-bikes are promoted as convenient alternatives to cars—an inexpensive way to travel short distances, connect with public transportation, and reduce automobile traffic.

That is the vision.

But after another Chicago teenager was killed while riding an e-scooter, it is time to ask whether the reality on Chicago’s streets bears much resemblance to that vision.

August 6, 2026

Another Chicago Teenager Killed on an E-Scooter: A Tragic Reminder That Safety Cannot Wait

by Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C.

A heartbreaking tragedy on Chicago’s North Side has once again highlighted the dangers facing young e-scooter riders.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, 16-year-old Alex Blacio was killed after losing control of the e-scooter he was riding on North Western Avenue and being struck by a commercial truck. Police continue to investigate exactly how the collision occurred, and no conclusions should be drawn about fault while that investigation remains ongoing. (Chicago Sun-Times)

Regardless of how the investigation ultimately unfolds, the loss of another young life should be a wake-up call for parents, drivers, schools, and city officials.