ADVOCACY

National Leaders In Bicycle Law & Advocacy

The attorneys at Keating Law Offices are leaders not only in the field of bicycle accident litigation, but also in efforts to promote safe bicycling in Illinois. Attorney Michael S. Keating of Keating Law Offices currently serves as the Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Group for the American Association for Justice which is the world's largest trial bar and the strongest voice for victims of accidents in the United States. He is also a member of the Board of Managers for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. All of the attorneys at the firm are members of the American Association for Justice as well as the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and are committed to justice for Illinois bicyclists.

Dennis' Law - Re-writing Illinois Bicycle Laws

Keating Law Offices represented the family of Dennis Jurs in the wrongful death case against the driver involved. As a part of the firm's representation, they also worked on changes in Illinois law to honor the life of Dennis Jurs. Starting January 1, 2017, Illinois law clearly states that bicyclists receive the same rights to the "right-of-way" as drivers of motor vehicles. This law is known as "Dennis' Law" after fallen Illinois bicyclist Dennis Jurs. 

Before Dennis' Law went into effect, there was a conflict in Illinois bicycle laws as to whether a bicycle was considered a “vehicle” under Illinois law and received the same "right" to the "right of way" as a motor vehicle. Some appellate court cases said that a bicycle did not count as a "vehicle." Since the prior right-of-way laws in Illinois referenced “vehicles” there was an issue as to whether the right-of-way laws equally applied to bicyclists on the roads in Illinois. 

The change provided by "Dennis' Law" to Illinois bicycle law makes the Illinois Rules of the Road absolutely clear that bicycles are, in fact, “vehicles” as defined in the Illinois Vehicle Code. This change to the bike laws means that drivers of motor vehicles must provide the right-of-way to bicycles. This is an important development because it will also require police officers, judges, the insurance industry and attorneys to consider the absolute rights of Illinois bicyclists. No longer can any conflict or confusion in old Illinois laws be used against bicyclists. 

Legal Articles and Speeches

Keating Law Offices founder Michael Keating is frequently published in legal journals and quoted in the news. 

Trial Magazine Articles

Attorney Keating's article entitled "Bicycling In An Automobile's World," was published in Trial Magazine. Trial Magazine is an award-winning publication produced by the American Association for Justice, the national trial lawyer organization that works to promote a fair and effective justice system for injured Americans and their families. Michael Keating's 2018 article on the risks posed to bicyclists injured using bike share bicycles entitled "Bike Share Roadblocks" was also published in Trial Magazine. 

Trial Journal Article

Mr. Keating also published an article entitled, "The Wheels of Change Keep Turning: Why the Popularity of Bicycling In Illinois Has Rendered Illinois Law Irrelevant," in the Summer 2016 edition of "Trial Journal." This publication is the official magazine of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA). ITLA is the statewide organization made up of attorneys who specialize in representing victims of accidents that resulted in personal injuries and wrongful death. The organization was founded in 1952 and has over 2,000 members. 

Presentation on Bicycle Law to Illinois Trial Lawyers Association (ITLA) 

Attorney Mike Keating of Keating Law Offices was honored to be chosen as a speaker at a Continuing Legal Education Seminar provided by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Mike Keating discussed recent trends in Illinois bicycle law including the recent changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code as a part of "Dennis's Law."

American Association for Justice Presentations

Keating Law Offices, P.C. attorney Michael Keating has been a frequent featured speaker at conventions of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). AAJ is the nation's largest trial lawyers organization. Formerly known as the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, AAJ is one of the most prominent advocacy organizations in the United States. Mr. Keating has also served as the Chair of the AAJ Bicycle Litigation Committee for years.

Mr. Keating's presentations were a part of the Continuing Legal Education programs offered by AAJ at its annual conventions. In 2016, Mr. Keating presenting a program entitled, "Why Bike Crash Cases Are Different Than Motor Vehicle Cases." In 2019 at the AAJ Winter Convention in Miami he presented again on Bike Share and the emerging threats posed by E-Scooters. The speech was entitled "Looking Beyond Automobiles: Bicycles and Electric Scooters." Chicago's Divvy program is one of the nation's largest bike share systems and a focal point of the presentation. This was a part of the convention's lecture series, "Specialized Track: Keep Your Eyes on the Road: The Latest Strategies in Litigation." At the 2019 Annual Convention in San Diego Mr. Keating was again a featured speaker on the latest status of bicycle laws in the United States. 

In The News

Attorney Michael Keating of Keating Law Offices discussed the recent change to Illinois bicycle laws with the signing of "Dennis's Law" in 2016. He appeared live on WGN Morning News in a segment to discuss why this bicycle law is important to all Illinois bicyclists. 

Michael Keating was also the focus of 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 Chicago cyclists who were killed while riding in marked bikeways in the city.

In 2018 CBS 2 Chicago again profiled Attorney Keating in a story on the State of Illinois promoting the use of the "Dutch Reach" to reduce the number of dooring collisions in Chicago. Attorney Keating was sought out for his legal expertise on this issue involving Chicago's bicycle laws.