Illinois Injury Law Blog

Chicago is looking for partners for the city's bike sharing program. Our Chicago personal injury lawyers join in commending the city for becoming one of the nation's top metro areas for cycling. However, with that designation comes an increased risk for bicycle accidents in Cook County.

The Chicago Department of Transportation is looking for sponsorships and partnerships for outdoor advertising space to support the bike-sharing program. Bike share is expected to launch in June.

“As we have seen in communities across the globe, a wide variety of companies are interested in sponsoring bike-sharing programs to reach professionals, tourists and others who enjoy the convenience of bike sharing,” said Gabe Klein, Commissioner of the Department of Transportation.

The U.S. Department of Transportation continues to report increases in the number of cyclists who are seriously injured or killed in riding accidents. As the popularity of cycling has increased for both recreation and fitness, so too has the age of the injured rider. Today, men in their 30s and 40s are most likely to be injured or killed in a riding accident, according to government statistics. This can have a devastating impact in a family's finances.

While we support the ongoing effort to make the city more bike friendly, careful attention must be paid to also making it safer. Bike Share can be a wonderful addition, could help alleviate congestion, and could provide a wonderful way for tourists and residents alike to explore all downtown has to offer. But it could also put a bunch of cycling novices on unfamiliar streets in one of the most congested cities in the nation. Chicago is the nation's third-largest metro area and has the second-largest central business district in the United States.

Similar bike share programs are in place in London, Boston, Minneapolis, Miami and Toronto. Fort Lauderdale and several other cities are also instituting such programs. Sponsors include New Balance and Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

“We are looking for a media company who can attract partners and sponsors for many different aspects of the bike sharing program,” said Klein.

Some 3,000 rental bikes and 300 stations are scheduled to be online by June. Ultimately, more than 5,000 bikes and 500 stations will be brought online. More than 300,000 riders a year are expected to participate in the program.

Other cycling friendly moves the city has made recently include:

-A series of open houses are being held for the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020. The plan aims to expand the city's cycling infrastructure.

-The city is adding 750 bike racks to the cycling infrastructure. The ultimate goal is to add an additional 2,400 bike racks.

- Construction of the Kinzie Street Protected Bike Lanes. Studies continue to show more people would choose cycling as a mode of transportation if designated bike lanes were separated from the normal flow of traffic. Women, in particular, represent only a small portion of the cycling community and routinely site safety and shared bike lanes as a common reason for not cycling.

Continue reading "Bike Share an Opportunity; Reducing Risk of Chicago Bicycle Accidents Must Remain in Focus" »

Chicago is well known for scenic riding tours enjoyed by so many bicycling residents and visitors. The Lakefront Trail alone brings the peacefulness of nature to the big city and a picturesque view for all to enjoy. According to the City of Chicago , there are 30 miles of shared lanes, 117 miles of on-street bike lanes, and many more miles of off-street paths. Plus, more than 12,000 bike racks and bike-parking areas make it convenient for riders. Plenty of reasons why bicycling is such a popular mode of transportation in our area.

Like with most good things though, there are certain dangers involved when bicycling on congested roadways in a vastly urban area. So-called "doorings" are probably the most common cause of Chicago bicycling accidents, which is when motorists open their vehicle door into a bicyclist riding along the street.

Cook County bicycle accident attorneys know that distractions caused by texting is another common cause of bicycle accidents in Chicago, which is why some thought is being given to banning the dangerous behavior.

The Chicago Tribune reports that state officials want to hold all roadway users to the same standards and principles in order to reduce distraction-related fatalities on Illinois roadways. The Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee is proposing to make it illegal to text or talk on a cell phone without a hands-free device while riding a bike. In 2010, there were more than 1,600 crashes that involved a cyclist, five of which resulted in fatality. The bike text ban ordinance proposes that violators be fined $20 to $50 for the first offense. A second offense would incur a $50 to $75 penalty, and three or more cited violations would be fined $75 to $100. Any bicycling texter involved in a crash could be fined as much as $500.

Even with separate bike-only lanes and off-road bike paths, bicyclists have a considerable amount of fear for accidents while riding. Common fears that can lead to a serious accident include: inclement weather causing icy conditions, aggressive drivers, distractions, car doors opening, and motorists or pedestrians veering into a bike path.

The City of Chicago Department of Transportation hopes to erase some of these fears by developing safety strategies in the Bike 2015 Plan. The plan was adopted in 2006 but is a work in progress. With more than 150 strategies, the bicycle program looks to improve three areas of bicycling: bikeways, parking, and safety and education. By placing emphasis on these three areas, Chicago can become safe for more and more bicyclists.

If you want to enjoy the sites of Chicago while building a healthier you, visit City of Chicago online for bicycling information, bike maps, bike parking and bike safety. Having a bike map, knowing where to rack your bike, and keeping a few safety tips in mind can make riding more enjoyable and safer for everyone.

Continue reading "Car Door Openings, Distractions Are Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Chicago" »

Illinois personal injury lawyers hope that children getting involved with International Walk to School Day on October 5th use extra caution to avoid injury in a child pedestrian accident in Chicago or the surrounding areas while they walk to school that day.

Children are at risk of broken bones, head trauma or other serious injuries when they are walking to school if they are hit by a speeding vehicle running a red light or are hidden in the blind spot as a vehicle is backing out of the driveway.

The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Board of Education have asked schools throughout the state to participate in the worldwide event.

The goal is for kids to have some fun while they make strides to save the earth with green transportation methods and form a healthier lifestyle. The International Walk to School event originally began in Chicago in 1997, but has evolved into international status over the course of celebrating its 15th year. In 2000, Canada and the United Kingdom joined the U.S in celebrating the event. In 2005, $612 million in funding was granted to the National Center for Safe Routes to School in order to provide pedestrians and bicyclists a safer alternative to travel to school.

The 2011 slogan for the event is "Hike it. Bike it. I like it!" For the first time in the lifetime of this event, students were encouraged to come up with a slogan to be submitted in an online contest. Anyone visiting walktoschool.org online could submit a vote for the winning slogan. Students at Horace Mann Elementary School in Oakpark were selected by popular vote for the winning slogan. As the winners, the winning school will receive a mini-grant to be used towards a week-long campaign to promote safe walking to school.

More than 140 Illinois schools have joined the event this year. For a list of schools that are registered to host an event, click here.

The Illinois Department of Transportation is offering a downloadable booklet written for kids to help students learn the basics about pedestrian and bicycle safety. If you want to obtain a copy of any of the published pamphlets geared towards pedestrian or bicycling for children and adults, visit IDOT online.

There are several event ideas that can be implemented in promoting International Walk to School Day, even for students with disabilities. Schools can organize a 'ped safety dance', incorporate bike and pedestrian safety into the classroom, or reach out to local merchants to sponsor refreshments. More event ideas and how to get started with planning an event can be viewed at walktoschool.org.

Creating awareness is the first step to keeping children safe as they walk to school. Teach children about the importance of pedestrian and bicycling safety so that they can begin to establish healthier habits by walking or biking to school each day.

Continue reading ""Hike it. Bike it" Day Aimed to Reduce Child Pedestrian and Bicycling Accidents in Chicago, Statewide" »

NBC Chicago recently reported on a tragic hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of an 8-year-old girl riding her bike in front of her house.

Our Chicago bike accident lawyers want you to know that many times, when a driver flees the scene of a crash, it is because they don't have insurance. Getting an experienced attorney is critical in this case to help you make a claim against the at-fault driver.

The little girl was riding her bike near her home in the 3300 block of West 62nd Place when an SUV struck her and threw her from her bike. The SUV left the scene, according to law enforcement. Witnesses report seeing two women inside the vehicle and said the SUV is either silver or gray. A witness told police she chased the vehicle down the street, trying to get the driver's attention, but the vehicle sped away. The child was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she died from her injuries.

In Illinois, the law requires that all drivers must have liability insurance to protect themselves in case they are responsible for injuries caused by a car crash. Many drivers fail to have this required insurance in order to save in their monthly premium. If you are involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, you might be able to make an uninsured motorist claim. Illinois law treats hit-and-run drivers as uninsured motorists, so if you are involved in an accident with a hit-and-run driver, you can make a claim for uninsured motorist benefits under your own car insurance policy.

Bicycle Safety Tips:

-Wear a properly fitting helmet.

-Adjust the seat level of your bike to make sure your feet can touch the ground.

-Keep your bike in good working condition by greasing the chain, inflating the tires and checking the brakes.

-Never wear loose clothing and always wear bright, reflective colors.

-Ride in less congested areas. Children should be told what areas to stay away from.

-Pay attention to your surroundings.

-Visit the besafe.org website to learn proper hand signals so drivers know what you plan to do.

-Know the rules of the road. Cyclists have to obey traffic laws, ride with the flow of traffic and ride predictably.

-Never eat or use any electronic device while riding.

-Avoid riding at night.

-Expect the unexpected,. Keep water, a small first aid kit and a cell phone with you.

Continue reading "Hit-and-run Bicycle Crashes can be Deadly in Chicago, Elsewhere" »

A second defendant has pleaded guilty to charges accusing him of purposefully hitting bicycles with his car in Brookfield. The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and leaving the scene of an accident. On Tuesday, he was sentenced to two years of probation, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Riders already face the significant risk of a Chicago bicycle accident without motorists intentionally trying to run them off the road. While this may be an extreme case, our Chicago injury lawyers are frequently called to represent cyclists who have been run off the road or otherwise injured by an at-fault motorist. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports there were nearly 4,000 motorcycle crashes in 2008 -- 28 riders were killed and more than 3,300 were seriously injured.

This incident occurred on May 31, 2009 when the defendant was driving through Brookfield with his 18-year-old girlfriend at about 6:30 a.m. The girlfriend bet he wouldn't hit a cyclist and the defendant struck a 52-year-old rider on Washington Avenue before driving away. They switched places, and the girlfriend struck a 34-year-old rider a few blocks away. They were arrested a short time later.

The girlfriend pleaded guilty last week to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence of alcohol. She was sentenced to 10 days in jail and two years of probation. The Active Transportation Alliance, an advocacy group, called the sentences outrageous.

The City of Chicago provides a safe cycling brochure for cyclists and offers a number of safety tips, including:

Fitting and equipping your bike

Maintenance checks

Parking your bike

Bike helmets

Traffic basics

Lane positioning, turning and passing

Trouble Situations

Off-street Bicycling

Riding at night and in bad weather

Continue reading "Motorists pleads guilty to intentionally causing Chicago bicycle accidents" »