Numerous news outlets are reporting that West Side resident Jepson Livingston was killed in the city's Logan Square neighborhood when a van veered into his path while he was riding in the 3800 block of West Diversey Avenue. This section of Diversey has a clearly marked bike lane and is frequently used by bicyclists.
The driver of the van, 21-year old Tyrice Pryor, fled the scene on foot after the collision. Pryor was on parole from a sentence stemming from a burglary. Pryor allegedly was in a "feud" with another driver and the two cars were ramming each other down Division Street. There are reports that Livingston's body was propelled as high as the utility wires as a result of the impact.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office has ruled the death of Livingston as a homicide and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office has charged Pryor with murder. As a civil matter, Livingston's family could proceed with a wrongful death and survival action against Pryor as well as the driver of the other vehicle.
A case such as this illuminates the importance of underinsured/uninsured motorist protection. UM/UIM insurance provides coverage for an injured person if the driver at fault has very little (underinsured) or no insurance (uninsured) at all. Especially in "hit-and-run" situations or criminal actions where the person responsible has no insurance and no way of compensating an injured person for their loss, UM/UIM coverage is often the only insurance available to the injured person or their family.
If you have any questions regarding this post, please contact Mike Keating at MKeating@KeatingLegal.com or 312-208-7702.
Keating Law Offices are the premiere personal injury lawyers representing bicyclists injured in an accident in Illinois. The firm offers free consultations and there are no fees unless we win for you. Our attorneys have a long history of success representing clients injured in bike accidents in Chicago, the suburbs and throughout Illinois. The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers are committed to advocating for the rights of bicyclists and fighting for bicyclists injured in bike accidents.
