Articles Posted in Bicycle Accidents

Various Chicago organizations are sponsoring Chicago bike to work week from June 12 to June 18, 2010. This is a great opportunity for bike riders to come out in force to show that Chicago bicycle riders have the same rights on the road as automobile drivers. Such high profile events can also encourage the police to enforce the law that states that automobile drivers cannot drive or park in the bike lanes. Many Chicago bicycle accidents are caused by cars driving in bike lanes when cars have stopped in front of them. I have personally had a motorist drive directly in back of me while I rode my bike in the bike lane in Chicago. He even beeped his horn when I refused to surrender the bike lane to his car.

Tuesday afternoon, after a yelling match with a bicyclist regarding lane space, a female motorist in Chicago revved her engine and intentionally tried to run over bicyclist Tim Heath with her car at the corner of Milwaukee and Diversey. Four witnesses back up the story of the bicyclist. The car ran over the Chicago bicyclist’s foot and leg causing a laceration to his leg. The bicyclist got the driver’s license plate number and turned it over to the police. The police made contact with the driver and made arrangements for her to turn herself in. The police have yet to announce what if any charges will be brought. Hopefully, the police will take the case seriously and charge the driver with aggravated battery like she deserves. With the number of bicyclist injured by cars in Chicago, police should make a special effort to protect bicyclist, for example, ticketing motorists who drive in bike lanes to cut around stopped cars. Maybe that way there will be less Chicago bicycle accidents involving cars.

Mary A. Rehn, 67, got 42 days in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated battery for running down a teen bicyclist in downtown Naperville, Illinois. The teen was riding his bike on Washington Street when Rehm came up behind the bicyclist in her car and started honking her horn. Rehm then floored it but the teen was able to jump off his bike before the bike was hit. Rehm then drove off, dragging the teen’s bicycle under her car. The teen stated that Rehm acted intentionally and that the crash was not an accident.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced that that the federal government is going to give bicycling the same importance as automobiles and trucks in planning and selection of federal projects. Secretary LaHood posted on a government blog: “This is the end of favoring motorized transportation at the expense of non-motorized”. LaHood’s blog recommends, for example, including biking and walking lanes on bridges and clearing snow from bike paths.

LaHood’s announcement was praised by biking organizations such as League of American Bicyclists along with local Chicago bicyclist groups.

A 48 year old man was struck and killed as he rode his bicycle across Chicago Avenue at the intersection of Lawler Avenue and Chicago Avenue in Chicago. The accident happened at 4:30 pm. The bicyclist, who was identified as Jerry Simpson, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:51 p.m.

The driver of the car, Victoria Fobbs, 26, was cited with negligent driving and failure to reduce speed.

With the nice weather there have been many more bicycle accidents in Chicago. Bicyclists need to be sure to wear their helmets to avoid traumatic head injuries.

Roscoe Village Bikes is selling a bike that was specially build for Chicago bicycle commuters. The bike, called the “Four Star” (like the Chicago flag) comes with Kevlar lined tires that are more puncture resistant and reflective sidewalls that are more visible. The bike also comes with full fenders to prevent mud from being sprayed on to the back of the biker. It comes in a blue and white color scheme.

Another tragic bike accident claims the life of three Chicago teens. The Chicago teens were on a spring bicycle trip 320 miles south of Chicago when an 87 year old driver in a minivan crossed the center line on a rural road and struck the three Chicago girls head on. One of the girls was killed and her two Chicago Lab School friends were seriously injured. Police speculate that the elderly driver may have fallen asleep. The bicycle accident happened at 2 PM on Wednesday.

Under Illinois law drivers over 87 years old must renew their license every and must take both the written and road test.

One of the most common bike accidents that the Chicago law firm of Zneimer & Zneimer handles are car doors being opened in the path of a bicyclist. It is understandable because it is easy to forget to look for bicyclists before getting out of ones car. Even if one is in the habit of looking for bicyclists it is to forget on occasion when one is distracted and thinking of other things. People who are exiting a parked car must try to look for bikes every time they exit. Additionally, it is illegal in Chicago to open ones car door in front of a bicyclist. Chicago Municipal Ordinance 9-80-035 provides: No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do do, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.

A 61 year old man was riding his bicycle in Ford Heights near Chicago when he was hit by a driver and left at the side of the rode. The bicycle rider was taken to St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights and then airlifted to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn where he died, Park Forest news reported. Police gathered evidence at the scene indicating the hit and run vehicle was a 1996 to 2002 Chevy Van.

IDOT has recorded more than 3,810 Illinois bicycle accidents in 2009. In these bicycle accidents, 27 people were fatally injured.

If you are a bike rider in Chicago and frequently use bike lanes on the street you maybe surprised to learn that it is illegal for cars to drive, stand or park in these bike lanes. I say maybe surprised because from what I observe cars drive in the bike lanes all the time in Chicago. Anyway, the law is on the books (Chicago Municipal Code 9-40-060) and reads: “The driver of a vehicle shall not drive, unless entering or exiting a legal parking space, or stand , or park the vehicle upon any on street path or lane designated by official signs or markings for the use of bicycles, or otherwise drive or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such path or lane. The driver of a vehicle shall not stand or park the vehicle upon any lane designated by pavement markings for the shared use of motor vehicles and bicycles, or place the vehicle in such a manner as to impede bicycle traffic on such lane.”

If you are a bike rider and have been hit by a car while riding in a bike lane and are injured, you have a cause of action for money damages against the driver. The law firm of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. has handled many bicycle injury cases and have obtained good results for our clients.