Specialized Recalls 12,000 "Globe" Model Bicycles

Specialized Bicycles of California has announced a recall of 12,000 "Globe" model bicycles. The recall was made because of four reports of the front fork breaking. These incidents resulted in facial fractures, head and shoulder injuries, and lacerations.

According to the United States Consumer Producs Safety Commission:

This recall involves some 2008 and 2009 models women's and men's Globe model bicycles. Recalled models include the Globe Elite, Globe Sport, Globe Sport Disc, Globe Centrum Comp, Globe Centrum Elite, Globe City 6, Globe Vienna 3, Globe Vienna 3 Disc, Globe Vienna 4, Globe Vienna Deluxe 3, Globe Vienna Deluxe 4, Globe Vienna Deluxe 5 and Globe Vienna Deluxe 6 bicycles. The bicycles were sold in various colors, including gun, silver, black, khaki, navy, bone, blue, charcoal, burgundy and gold. The brand name "Specialized" is on the lower frame tube and the model name is on various locations on the bicycle frame.

Earlier this year Specialized announced a recall of brake levers. In late 2011, Specialized announced another recall involved potentially defective bicycle forks. In Illinois the manufacturer of a product can be held liable when their product fails and the person was using the product in a reasonably foreseeable manner. Obviously, if would be reasonably foreseeable for a rider to expect a bike pedal to not break so any injury that occurred could be the basis for a claim against the manufacturer.

The attorneys at Keating Law Offices have handled numerous product liability cases. The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers recently settled a significant product liability case for a rider who suffered a severe injury when the fork on her mountain bike failed while landing a jump. The specifics of the case and the terms of that settlement are confidential pursuant to the settlement agreement.

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@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.

Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Council

The Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council Meeting at City Hall last Wednesday was a huge success. The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers were in attendance, and were very impressed with the leadership and future plans. The main agenda items addressed included: the Bike Share Project, Bus Rapid Transit & Biking, Maintenance of Bikeways, On-Street Bike Parking, and The Future of Aldermanic Bike Camps. At the end of the meeting the general public had an opportunity to ask questions and express concerns to the committee leaders. Click here to learn more about the updates provided at the meeting. 

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers would like to extend a special thank you to Chris Gagnon for his 5 years of service as the City’s Bike Parking Manager. Since Chris took over the position in 2007 thousands of bike racks have been installed around Chicago. The leadership of the committee extended their gratitude to Chris as he received two well-deserved round of applauses. The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers wish Chris the best in his future endeavors.

The next Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council Meeting will take place on December 12, 2012. The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers will provide more details on the December meeting as they are released. 

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@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.

Bicyclist Struck by CTA Brown Line

NBC 5 Chicago is reporting that a bicyclist was injured in a bicycle accident after being struck by a CTA Brown Line train.  The bicycle accident occurred during night time hours at the Kedzie Brown Line Station in Albany Park.  Service on the the Brown Line was temporarily halted and the injured bicyclist was transported to Swedish Covenant Hospital.

Injuries from any kind of bicycle accident can be quite significant.  No matter how serious you believe an injury to be at first, you should always seek medical advice and contact the police. Medical cost for treatment can be extremely expensive.  Notifying the police is crucial in helping to make the responsible party account for their actions.  Information the police obtain from an injured party can help to ensure that the injured party receives fair compensation for medical treatment and the pain and suffering they had to endure. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident in the past two years, please contact the Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices.

Keating Law Offices, P.C. has extensive experience in helping injured victims receive compensation for their injuries from a bicycle accident.  If you have any questions regarding this post or a case involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@KeatingLegal.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  All emails and phone call are returned promptly.  All initial consultations are always confidential and free.

How Hot Was It? So Hot Many Bicyclists Passed On Favorite Long Rides

According to the Chicago Tribune, the record breaking heat this summer caused many bicyclists to stay inside. Duffy’s Tavern in Utica, Illinois, says the summer heat kept many cyclists off the Illinois & Michigan Canal Path (“I&M”).  Duffy’s, a popular local tavern near the path says the decrease in cyclists on the path over the summer months hurt the tavern’s sales. However, Duffy’s expects cycling on the path as well as business to increase as fall weather replaces the blistering heat.

The 60 mile Illinois & Michigan Canal biking trail is highly recommended for bikers who enjoy a ride with pit stops and sightseeing. The trail, which runs parallel to the canal from Joliet to LaSalle, allows riders to experience some of Illinois’s most historic towns and attractions. To learn more about biking on the I&M canal biking trail click here.

Attorney Mike Keating is very familiar with this area and has handled cases at the LaSalle County courthouse. Attorney Keating's family were among the famed Irish laborers that helped dig the I&M Canal. Many of the current generations still live in and around LaSalle County. If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@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.

Palatine Residents Create the "Greater Palatine Bike Task Force"

A volunteer group of Palatine residents has joined together to improve conditions for local bicyclists. The Greater Palatine Bike Task Force is compromised of 25 residents who strive to increase cycling in the community and to make bicycling safer and more convenient. “Our main focus is to make Palatine a bicycle-friendly community,” said Wayne Mikes, the task force chairman.

The group’s efforts seem to be paying off as Palatine recently approved a community bike plan. Mikes told the Journal & Topics Newspapers Online  that he expects designated bike lanes to soon be constructed on Illinois Avenue from Roselle Road to Hicks Road. The task force hopes to see these designated bike lanes along other roads in the village. Further, the group looks to install bike racks throughout the village.  Such community volunteer groups have become common as the number of bicyclist across the state of Illinois continually grows. The attorneys at Keating Law Offices applaud the efforts of the Greater Palatine Bike Task Force. Their efforts to make their community more accessible by bike shows that individual groups can make a big difference.

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@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.

Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Council to Meet 9/12

The Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Council will be hosting a meeting this Wednesday, September 12, from 3:00PM – 3:40PM. The meeting will be held at City Hall; 121 N. LaSalle, Room 1103. Public attendance and participation is encouraged.  The meeting will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about Chicago’s “Bike 2015 Plan.” According to the City of Chicago website, “The Bike 2015 Plan is the City of Chicago’s vision to make bicycling an integral part of daily life in Chicago. The plan recommends projects, programs and policies for the next ten years to encourage use of this practical, non-polluting and affordable mode of transportation.” The Bike 2015 Plan has two main goals: (1) increase bicycle use; and (2) reduce the number of injuries from bicycle accidents by 50 percent. You can learn more about Chicago’s Bike 2015 Plan by clicking here. 

The meeting comes only a week after the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Chicago is the second-most dangerous city for cyclists. This report, based on a Rutgers and Virginia Tech study last year of nine big cities, is sure to catch the attention of Mayor Rahm Emanuel and his administration. Mayor Emanuel has held firm with goal to make Chicago the, “bike friendliest city in the country.” 

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving a bike accident or Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@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.

Shimano Announces Recall of Carbon Fiber Handlebars

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced that Shimano has issued a recall of its Pro Vibe drop handlebars due to a defect that may cause the bars to snap while riding. So far, there have luckily been no injuries reported. The potentially defective bars have been in consumer circulation from June 2011 through April 2012. The recalled model numbers and affected serial codes can be found on the CPSC website. The model number can be found on the packaging while the serial numbers are printed inside the handlebar tube. Those who have a defective Pro Vibe bar are urged to send the product back to Shimano in exchange for a free and vetted product.

Keating Law Offices has significant experience and success with product liability cases and injuries resulting from bike usage. In Illinois the manufacturer of a product can be held liable when their product fails and the person was using the product in a reasonably foreseeable manner. If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@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.

Press Release: Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices to Sponsor Chicago Cyclocross Cup

Keating Law Offices, P.C., a Chicago-based personal injury firm that devotes part of its practice to representing victims of bicycle accidents and publishers of the weblog the Illinois Bicycle Lawyers, have announced they entered into an agreement to be the exclusive law firm sponsors of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup.

The Chicago Cyclocross Cup was started in 2004 by a group of Chicago-area bicyclists who wanted an organized series of cyclocross races. Cyclocross is a rapidly growing sport that involves racing bicycles over rough terrain. The races often require the racers to carry their bicycles over obstacles. USA Cycling statistics show that the number of cyclocross races in the past five years have doubled. The Chicago Cyclocross Cup has grown into a premiere annual event with an entire series of races throughout Chicagoland. The 2012 series runs from September through December. The Chicago Cyclocross Cup prides itself on exceptional venues, spectacular support and great competition.

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices are proud to be a part of this premier series of races. Attorney Mike Keating said, "We pride ourselves on being a law firm that fights for the rights of bicyclists in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Part of our commitment to bicycling in Illinois is directly sponsoring groups and events that promote and celebrate bicycling. Everyone at Keating Law Offices is thrilled to be part of the Chicago Cyclocross Cup for years to come and contribute to its growth." Earlier this year Keating Law Offices also sponsored the St. Charles Criterium, part of the Prairie State Cycling Series.

Keating Law Offices is the premiere personal injury law firm in Chicago that devotes part of its practice to representing victims of bicycle accidents. The firm's attorneys have represented numerous victims of bicycle accidents and bike crashes in Chicago, the suburbs, and throughout Illinois. The firm practices in every corner of the State of Illinois and its attorneys are committed to representing victims of bicycle accidents everywhere in Illinois. Keating Law Offices was founded by attorney Michael S. Keating who is currently the Vice Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Committee of the national American Association for Justice.

Chicago Bicyclist Awarded Insurance Policy Limits for Bike Accident

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers have recovered the entire policy limits from Allstate Insurance Company for their client who was badly injured in a bicycle accident on February 27, 2012.

The bike accident occurred at approximately 4:51 p.m. when the bicyclist was riding on Wilson near its intersection with Clark Street in Uptown. The bike accident occurred when the driver failed to observe the bicyclist when she made a left-hand turn from Wilson towards southbound Clark Street and directly into the bicyclist’s path. This is known as a "left-hook" bike accident. 

The attorneys at Keating Law Offices were able to successfully argue that the driver violated Section 11-902 of the Illinois Rules of theRoad. This section required the driver to yield the preferential right-of-way to the bicyclist when attempting a left-hand turn. In addition, the motorist admitted that she did not identify the bicyclist on the roadway prior to engaging in the left-hand turn.

The settlement will help the bicyclist pay for the medical treatment she required to treat her injuries. In addition to the personal injury settlement, the insurance company will also pay the injured bicyclist the full value of a replacement bicycle.  

Keating Law Offices concentrates part of its practice on helping clients injured in bicycle accidents. Since 2008, the Illinois Bicycle Lawyers have successfully helped their clients obtain justice through the civil justice system. If you have any questions about this post or an issue related to bicycle law, please contact Attorney Mike Keating at mkeating@keatinglegal.com or 312-208-7702. 

Keating Law Offices Retained to Represent Chicago Bicyclist Severely Injured in Bike Accident

View Larger Image of Bike Accident Scene
The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers have been retained to represent a Chicago bicyclist who was severely injured in a bicycle accident on August 29, 2012. The bike accident occurred at the intersection of Halsted and Chicago at approximately 4:20 p.m. The bicyclist was traveling northbound on Halsted in the dedicated bike lane that runs on both sides of Halsted. The bicyclist had come to a complete stop when the traffic signal on Chicago turned to red. The bicyclist appropriately waited for the light to turn green and only then entered the intersection.

However, at the same time that the bicyclist entered the intersection on the green light, the motorist disregarded their red light and entered the intersection. The motorist directly hit the bicyclist in the center of Halsted and Chicago. As a result of the collision the bicyclist suffered a fractured leg, severe road rash to the face, and numerous related lacerations and bruises. After the bike accident, the bicyclist was taken by the Chicago Fire Department to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@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.

Keating Law Offices Retained to Represent Bicyclist Injured in a "Left Hook" Bike Accident

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have been retained to represent a Chicago-area bicyclist who was injured in a motor vehicle vs. bicycle accident on March 22nd. The bicycle accident occurred when the driver was traveling northbound on Damen and approaching Fullerton. At the same time, the bicyclist was traveling southbound on Damen. When both the motorist and the bicyclist were at Fullerton, the driver made a "left hook," a quick turn in front of the bicyclist without yielding the right of way.

The Illinois Rules of the Road requires all vehicles turning left across traffic to yield to any and all oncoming traffic, including bicycles. The applicable statute states as follows:

625 ILCS 5/11-902) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-902)
Sec. 11-902. Vehicle turning left.
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard, but said driver, having so yielded may proceed at such time as a safe interval occurs. (Source: P.A. 76-1586)

A "plain language" reading of this statute makes clear that a motorist turning across traffic must yield to any oncoming bicycle. The statute plainly states that the turning vehicle must yield the "right-of-way to any vehicle approaching." Since a bicycle is a vehicle under Illinois law there should be no argument as to what Illinois law requires. Justice should be blind, and it should not matter whether it was a bicycle or a motor vehicle that was the oncoming traffic. Bicyclists deserve, and the law requires, equal protection under the law.

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-208-7702 or MKeating@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.