There isn’t much a Chicago bicyclist can do when involved in a bicycle accident. Chicago bicycle injuries can be severe, even when wearing a helmet.
On the morning of September 28, 2012, avid bicyclist Neill Townsend, 32, was killed while biking near the intersections of Wells Street and Oak Street. A man in a parked vehicle opened his door, forcing Townsend to swerve into the road. It was reported that Townsend either fell or was thrown from his bike and landed in the road. A semi-trailer traveling in the same direction struck and killed Townsend. On October 5, 2012, Neill’s friends gathered at the scene holding a candle-light vigil in Neill’s honor. The group wanted to remind motorists to be aware of Chicago cyclists and pedestrians sharing the road as to avoid personal injury.
In 2006, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, there were 773 bicycle deaths and 44,000 bicycle injuries resulting from accidents involving motor vehicles. A recent trend in bicycle accidents has shifted to those who are over 16 years of age. In 1999, 71% of bicycle deaths involved bicyclists 16 years or older. Today, most accidents occur at night, involving adults biking near intersections.
After the 9:00 a.m. accident, the man who opened the door causing Townsend to veer from the bike path was cited for opening a car door in traffic. This instance has been cited by University of North Carolina, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Transportation, as being one in a handful of common scenarios of serious-bike accidents. In addition to death, bicycle accidents usually result in a number of serious injuries including abrasions or road rash, fractures, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and severed limbs.
If you have recently been involved in a bicycle accident, you can discuss your options with a Chicago personal Injury lawyer. Act promptly, and speak with a bicycle accident attorney. Accident scenes change quickly and recent traumatic memories fade. Swift actions by an experienced Chicago bicycle injury attorney can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.
Many details of a bicycle accident combine to make it difficult to litigate. Experts can be helpful in explaining and understanding the complexities of the accident and your injuries. It is highly important that the appropriate resources are used to obtain maximum compensation for the injuries occurring from the accident.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact Mike Agruss Law, for a free consultation. We are a Chicago personal injury law firm representing individuals and families who have suffered an injury or loss due to an accident. Mike Agruss Law, will handle your personal injury case quickly, will advise you every step of the way, and will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, Mike Agruss Law, does not get paid attorney’s fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. Therefore, you have nothing to risk when you hire us–just the opportunity to seek justice.
