Attorney Michael Keating Profiled On Channel 2 News Story on Bike Lane Dangers

Chicago, Illinois Bicycle Litigation Attorney Michael Keating

Attorney Michael Keating was profiled in a Channel 2 News Investigation regarding the dangers facing Chicago bicyclists in the city's bike lanes. This special investigative report by report Dave Savini was broadcast in the aftermath of the deaths of Anastasia Kondrasheva and Lisa Kuivinen. Both of these Chicago bicyclists were killed while riding in marked bikeways in the city.

Anastasia Kondrasheva lost her life while riding on the North Damen bikeway and Lisa Kuivinen was killed after a collision on the Milwaukee bike lane. In another tragic similarity, both of these death involved commercial vehicles that were turning at the time of their deaths. These deaths also occurred in the midst of a tragic spate of deaths of bicyclists in Chicago as a result of collisions with motor vehicles.

Attorney Michael Keating of Keating Law Offices is a national leader in the area of bicycle litigation. The firm has successfully represented hundreds of personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Illinois. He serves as the Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Committee for the national trial lawyers association, the American Association for Justice.

Chicago Bicyclist Killed in Right-Hook Crash on Damen at Addison

According to reports, a Chicago bicyclist was killed in a crash with a commercial vehicle during rush hour this morning. The crash occurred as the bicyclist was riding northbound on Damen Avenue and approaching Addison Street. At the same time, what has been described as a "small, flatbed" truck was also travelling northbound on Damen Avenue and was in the process of turning right onto Addison Street. The collision apparently occurred at the intersection of Damen and Addison. 

Damen Avenue is marked with "sharrows" and is part of the City of Chicago's bikeways system. The image above shows the "sharrows" just south of Addison on Damen as well as signage that shows the direction and distance for bicycles to travel to four local locations.

Right Hook Crashes Are Prohibited by Chicago Bicycle Laws

Early indications are that this is a "right hook" crash where the driver was travelling in the same direction and then turned right across the path of the bicyclist. Chicago bike laws explicitly prohibits "right hooks" by turning vehicles and is addressed in Section 9-16-020 of the Municipal Code of Chicago. The bicycle 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.” 

Certain State and Federal Laws Address Duties of Truck Drivers

Since the vehicle involved was a commercial truck, there are also specific rules and regulations that may apply to the driver. The drivers of commercial trucks are expected to be professionals and drive with the utmost care. These drivers are typically required to carry a Commercial Drivers License (CDL). These rules and regulations exist not just in state and local laws, but also in federal regulations. Here are some of the key laws that apply to a bicycle crash of this nature:

• 49 C.F.R. Section 383.111 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires a professional driver to recognize and avoid potential hazards at all times around a turning tractor truck. 
•  Section 11-1003.1 of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code states that every driver of a vehicle must 1) always exercise care to avoid colliding with pedestrians and bicyclists, and 2) sound their horn to provide warning of an impending impact.

A Loss of A Young Life

Chicago has seen a tragic number of deaths of bicyclists in 2016. It is important to remember that each of these incidents is more than a news story and certainly more than a statistic. Each of these bicyclists were a family member and friend to many. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the young lady who lost her life in this crash. May she rest in peace. 

Chicago Bicyclist Injured By Commercial Truck Driver Receives $75,000.00 Settlement

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have settled a substantial personal injury claim of $75,000.00 on behalf of a bicyclist injured in 2014. The crash occurred when the bicyclist, an 18-year-old student, was riding his bicycle southbound in the designated bicycle lane on Halsted Street, approaching its intersection with Division Street. At the same time the driver of a commercial van erratically swerved into the bicycle lane and into the bicyclist’s path. The driver of the van illegally struck the bicycle by sideswiping him. The force of this collision forced the young man off his bike and as result he suffered a fractured wrist and lacerations to his scalp.

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices Serve Cyclists Throughout Chicago and the State of Illinois

This bicyclist’s injuries were so serious that an ambulance was called to the scene to evaluate him and transport him to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The emergency medical technicians ordered x-rays which revealed a fracture of the ulnar styloid process. In addition, the emergency room physicians applied three surgical staples to address the lacerations to the bicyclist’s skull. Upon leaving the hospital this bicyclist knew he needed help and reached out to the Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices. Attorney Mike Keating aggressively pursued this young man’s claim and were able to recover a settlement of $75,000.00 for this injured Chicago bicyclist.

This is a substantial settlement for an injury that fortunately did not require surgery and the bicyclist's recovery was without any complications. The settlement was also reached without having to resort to filing a lawsuit and will fully compensate the young man and his family for his medical bills, time away from school and work, and his pain and suffering.

City of Chicago Laws Provide Protection to Bicyclists

In this case, the motorist violated a Chicago Municipal Code statute that protect bicyclists throughout the city. Section 9-40-060 of the Chicago Municipal Code states that:

“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.”

It was very important for the Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices to recover as much money as possible from the motorist’s insurance company based on the injuries to this rider’s wrist and lacerations to his skull and we are proud to have done so.

Contact Keating Law Offices at Any Time

If you have any questions regarding this post or have a question regarding personal injury law, please contact Keating Law Offices at 312-239-6787. Our staff and operators are available around the clock. You can also email Mike@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.

The Leading Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Illinois

Keating Law Offices is the premiere personal injury law firm representing victims of bicycle accidents in Illinois. The firm is based in Chicago, Illinois and represents clients throughout Illinois. Keating Law Offices has successfully obtained compensation for hundreds of bicycle injury victims across Illinois. The firm's bicycle accident attorneys are always available to review your case with absolutely no risk or obligation to you. The firm's mission is to do everything possible to obtain you the maximum amount for the injuries you sustained. In the event that no recovery can be made for you, our legal services are absolutely free.