Chicago Bicyclist Killed In Crash With Car on West Side

100 Block of North Homan Avenue

Louis Smith, a 56-year-old Chicago bicyclist, was killed in a bicycle vs. motor vehicle crash late Monday evening in East Garfield Park. According to reports, Mr. Smith was riding north on Homan Avenue while the car, a Chrysler 200, was traveling the opposite direction on the same street.

According to Chicago Police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office, Mr. Smith swerved his bicycle into the vehicle, whereby he was fatally injured. Mr. Smith was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital following the collision, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead within the hour. The crash remains under investigation by the City of Chicago Police Department Major Accidents Investigation Unit. Investigations by MAIU can take days or even weeks before their findings are released. 

Although no citations have been issued, it is essential to keep in mind the responsibility that all drivers have regarding road safety. The Municipal Code of Chicago has established many laws to protect bicyclists. Specifically, Section 9-40-160 of the Municipal Code of Chicago provides:

9-40-160 Drivers to exercise due care - Every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle or other device propelled by human or animal power, upon any roadway, and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary and shall exercise proper precautions upon observing any child or any confused or incapacitated person upon a roadway.

Click here for additional provisions of the Municipal Code of Chicago that encourage bicyclist safety. The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers often rely on the Municipal Code of Chicago as well as the Illinois Vehicle Code to obtain favorable settlements and verdicts for injured bicyclists. Road safety is important for everyone, but it is especially important for bicyclists, as bicycles do not possess all of the same protections that a motor vehicle does. Bicycle vs. motor vehicle crashes are an unfortunate reoccurring reality, so it is important to ensure that all riders and drivers are aware of the rules of the road and their rights for when such an unfortunate event occurs. Our thoughts are with Mr. Smith’s family; may he rest in peace. If you have any questions regarding bicyclist’s rights, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

This is the second death of a Chicago bicyclist in 2017. Early this year, 34-year old Chicago bicyclist Jezniah Smith, was killed while bicycling on Division Street in Humboldt Park. Keating Law Offices represents the family of Jezniah Smith in a wrongful death action against the driver involved in that crash.