The Chicago Tribune is reporting of another bicycle accident that tragically resulted in the death of the bicyclist. The bicyclist died after being struck by a truck in the Noble Square neighborhood on Wednesday. According the Chicago Police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli, the fatal accident occurred at the intersection of Ashland Avenue and Augusta Boulevard. Mirabelli stated the truck and the bicyclist were traveling westbound on Augusta Boulevard when the truck driver attempted to make a right turn onto Ashland Avenue and struck the bicyclist. The driver of the truck, Danny Darling, 47, of Michigan City, Indiana, was ticketed for making an improper right turn.
This is known as a “right hook” bicycle accident. Section 9-16-020 of the Municipal Code of Chicago specifically prohibits right turns in front of bicycles. The ordinance states:
“When a motor vehicle and a bicycle are traveling in the same direction on any highway, street, or road, the operator of the motor vehicle overtaking such bicycle traveling on the right side of the roadway shall not turn to the right in front of the bicycle at that intersection or at any alley or driveway until such vehicle has overtaken and is safely clear of the bicycle.”Thus, the driver of the truck could be held liable for causing the death of the bicyclist. Keating Law Offices has represented numerous bicyclists that have been injured in similar “right hook” accidents. If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@KeatingLegal.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free.
