Specialized Recalls 2012 and 2013 Bikes and Framesets for Fall Hazard

Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. and the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have issued a recall of certain of Specialized's 2012 and 2013 model year road bicycles and framesets.

The model names which have been recalled are the "Tarmac SL4," "Crux" and "Secteur." Pictures of all of the recalled models are available here. The recalled bicycles all have the brand name "Specialized" as well as their respective model name written on the frame. The affected bicycles and frames were sold in over 20 different color combinations. The company estimates that over 12,200 road bikes and frames are subject to the recall. The affected bikes and frames were sold between July 2011 and January 2013. 

According to a press release from the CPSC, there have been at least two reported incidents of riders suffering fall injuries as a result of part of the bicycle's front fork breaking. Anytime part of a bicycle frame breaks while riding there is a grave threat of severe injuries to the rider due to falling or being thrown from the bike. If you own one of the recalled bicycles or framesets the company warns that you must "immediately stop using the bicycle" and bring it to an authorized dealer for a free inspection and necessary repair.

Under Illinois law, the manufacturers of bicycles and bicycle components are strictly liable if they:

1. Produce or sell a product which is unreasonably dangerous or defective; and 
2. That danger or defect is the cause of a rider's injuries. 

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers of Keating Law Offices are committed to making sure that bicyclists stay safe. Please check back regularly at our blog, www.IllinoisBicycleLaw.com, for updated information on bicycle-related product recalls.

If you have a question about this post, or any issue about Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Lawyer Michael Keating by calling him at 312-208-7702 or emailing him at MKeating@KeatingLegal.com. Initial consultations are free and confidential.

Quincy, IL to Provide 500 Free Bike Helmets to Kids

The Quincy, Illinois City Council has approved the purchase of 500 new children's bike helmets which will be distributed to local school children throughout Quincy and Adams County this spring. The helmets will be given out free of charge through a coalition between the Adams County Health Department and "Safe Kids Adams County." The goal of the free helmet program is to make sure that all children who want to ride their bikes to school are able to do so safely. By providing these helmets, local officials hope to bring awareness to bike safety and to encourage children to ride their bicycles as a health activity. The town received funding to purchase the helmets through a grant from the Illinois Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS). 

The Illinois SRTS Program is part of the national Safe Routes campaign and is run within the state by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Safe Routes program was started to address the dramatic decline in the number of students walking and biking to school and the resulting poor health effects. According to the Illinois SRTS Program, in 2001 only 16% of children walked or bike to school. This is down from over 42% in 1969. At the same time there has been this massive decline in the number of kids walking and biking to school the rates of childhood obesity and diabetes have skyrocketed.

The Illinois SRTS Program funds local projects that improve students' walking and bicycling environments. Past projects have included the construction of new sidewalks, creation of on-road designated bicycling lanes, and the installation of more crosswalks. The Illinois SRTS Program is an important tool in making bicycling more accessible to children. By teaching children how to ride safely the program will hopefully help to decrease the number of children who are injured while riding their bikes.

Keating Law Offices recently obtained one of the largest reported settlements in western Illinois on behalf of a bicyclist who was injured while riding in Quincy. Our firm represents injured bicyclists both throughout the entire state of Illinois as well as working with co-counsel on cases across the county.

Keating Law Offices Settles Lawsuit from North Side Bike Accident

Attorneys Michael Keating and Joseph Vietri of Keating Law Offices have successfully settled a lawsuit on behalf of a Chicago bicyclist who suffered severe injuries after he was hit while riding in Lincoln Avenue's designated bike lane.

The incident occurred on the morning of August 26, 2010 near Lincoln Avenue's intersection with Damen Avenue and Irving Park Road. The bicyclist was heading south-eastbound within the bike lane. At the same time the driver of a vehicle, also traveling south-eastbound, attempted to pass the bicyclist on the left. The driver failed to complete the pass and instead slammed his car into the bicyclist. The victim bicyclist was thrown from his bike onto the pavement with such force that the impact cracked his helmet. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was diagnosed with multiple serious injuries including a left hip fracture, sprained left wrist and shoulder, and severe road rash.

After filing a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County on behalf of the injured bicyclists, the attorneys of Keating Law Offices were able to reach a successful settlement with the defendant driver's insurance company. The settlement covered the cost of the bicyclist's physical injuries, medical treatment and the damage to his bike. The attorneys were able to obtain this settlement by arguing that the driver had clearly violated numerous provisions of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code and the Municipal Code of Chicago.

Under Illinois and Chicago law, every person riding a bicycle on a roadway is given the same legal rights as the driver of a motor vehicle. That means that all motor vehicle drivers have a duty to exercise care to avoid colliding with bicyclists. The lawsuit specifically alleged that the driver violated Section 9-16-020 of the Municipal Code of Chicago which requires that any

"operator of [a] motor vehicle overtaking [a] bicycle traveling on the right side of the roadway shall not turn to the right in front of the bicycle... until such vehicle has overtaken and is safely clear of the bicycle."

The lawsuit also alleged that the driver violated Section 9-36-010(c) of the Municipal Code of Chicago which requires drivers to

"leave a safe distance, but not less than 3 feet, when passing a bicycle..."

In this case, the driver obviously disobeyed his legal obligations to use care and to leave a minimum safe distance of 3 feet when attempting to pass a bicyclist - a decision which resulted in painful and long-lasting consequences for the victim.

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers of Keating Law Offices have experience representing bicyclists who have been injured while riding in Chicago's bike lanes. While Chicago is one of the world's leading bicycle-friendly cities, its network of bike lanes and signs warning drivers about the presence of bicyclists does not guarantee the safety of bicyclists under all circumstances. Bicyclists continue to be the victims of impatient, inattentive and reckless drivers even on routes as popular as the Lincoln Avenue bike lane. Our firm has previously obtained settlements, like this case's, on behalf of bicyclist injured while riding in Chicago's bike lanes including the Kinzie Street protected bike lane and the West Roosevelt Road designated bike lane.

If you have any questions about this post, or any question about Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Lawyer Mike Keating by calling him at 312-208-7702 or emailing him at MKeating@KeatingLegal.com, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All emails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are free and confidential.

A Salute to Major Taylor, Chicago's African-American Bicycling Legend

Today is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the day when our country honors the legacy of the great Civil Rights leader through a national Day of Service. But it is also a time to reflect on how we can follow the example of Dr. King by volunteering and serving others in our communities throughout the year. If you are interested in combining volunteering with bicycling, The Friends of Major Taylor Trail (FOMTT) is one such not-for-profit organization that you can work with during 2013.

The FOMTT is a group dedicated to honoring the legacy of Marshall "Major" Taylor (Nov. 26 1878 - June 21, 1932), an African-American bike racer. It does so through the "use and development" of the Major Taylor Trail. The Major Taylor Trail extends over 6 miles between Chicago's Dan Ryan Woods forest preserve and Whistler Woods forest preserve in the Village of Riverdale. Bicyclists who travel the length of the path ride through parts of Chicago's Brainerd, Gresham, Beverly, Morgan Park, Roseland, and West Pullman neighborhoods. The trial is primarily an off-street path, and is easily accessed from the north via Damen Avenue. Maps are available here.

Known as "The Worcester Whirlwind," Major Taylor is a role model and hero because of the barriers that he overcame both on and off the bike. He won his first race at the age of 16. By the time he was 21 he was a world champion bicyclist who held world records in seven different events. His record for fastest One Mile set in 1899 stood for over 28 years. By the time he went to race in Europe in 1902 he was consistently dominating his competition and was so well-known that crowds of over 30,000 people would come to his races. Despite his unmatched talents, Major Taylor's career was cut short. He was ultimately forced to retire from competition at the young age of 32 due to the pervasive, and often violent, racism he suffered at races. According to an article published in Worcester's Telegram & Gazette:

Major Taylor's autobiography, "The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World, is a compendium of many of his victories. It is also a dismal chronicle of races lost because of dirty tricks white riders used against Taylor. They would crowd him off the track, hem him in "pockets," rough him up off the field, curse and threaten him.

 As he explained in the same autobiography:

"In most of my races I not only struggled for victory but also for my very life and limb."

Major Taylor competed as a way of encouraging others facing the same types of unimaginable racism and prejudices that he did to overcome the challenges they encountered in their own lives. After his forced retirement, Major Taylor settled in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood before tragically dying at 52 in Cook County Hospital. His legacy lives on in Chicago through the work of groups like the FOMTT.

The past few weeks have been ones of cynicism towards the sport of cycling. The news has been full with press coverage of the downfall of one of the sport's former icons. But bicycling is more than a sport. Bicycling can still bring communities together by uniting people behind worthy causes. There are still role models, like Major Taylor, who bike: those whose names are often forgotten because there goals were not centered around seeking fame and fortune. They are heroes not because they ever toed the start line of at a race but because of the good work they did and the challenges they overcame.

Attorney Michael S. Keating Named a "Rising Star" by Chicago and SuperLawyers Magazines

For the third straight year, Attorney Michael S. Keating of Keating Law Offices, P.C. in Chicago, Illinois has been named to SuperLawyers Magazine's annual list of "Rising Stars."

Mr. Keating was previously named a "Rising Star" in 2011 and 2012. Only 2.5% of the Lawyers in the State of Illinois are named to this list which will be published in the annual edition of Illinois SuperLawyers Magazine and in the February 2013 edition of Chicago Magazine. Mr. Keating has also been named to the "40 Under 40" list of top young trial attorneys in Illinois by the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Mr. Keating was nominated by fellow attorneys and that nomination was reviewed by an attorney-led research team that reviews the credentials of potential candidates and assigns points based on a set of defined evaluation criteria. The point totals from the general survey and research process are then added to arrive at a final tally.

Mr. Keating practices with the Chicago-based firm of Keating Law Offices, P.C. which he founded in 2008. The firm concentrates its practice on personal injury and wrongful death cases stemming from transportation negligence, nursing home negligence and abuse, medical malpractice, premises liability and product liability. Keating Law Offices, P.C. may be found on the internet at www.KeatingLegal.com. The firm is located at 79 West Monroe, Suite 1024 in Chicago, Illinois. Phone: 312-239-6787.

Bicycle Collision Case Settled for Injured DeKalb Child

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers of Keating Law Offices have successfully settled a case on behalf of the family of a now 11-year old child who suffered severe and permanent injuries as a result of a bicycle accident while riding her bicycle to school. The tragic collision occurred on October 4, 2011 in a residential neighborhood in Sycamore, a town in DeKalb County. After extensive negotiations, attorney Michael Keating was able to resolve the case for the entire automobile insurance policy limits of $250,000.00. Attorney Keating stated:

"I have been representing victims of bicycle accidents for over a decade. This case was one of the highlights of my career. The insurance companies actually made several fair arguments in this case as to why the full insurance policy may not apply, but through solid research and negotiations we were still able to obtain the optimum result. Most importantly the young girl in this case, a sweet but tough young lady, has fortunately made a remarkable recovery. This settlement will help her continue to recover from this horrific collision. This result is a testament to the firm's unwavering commitment to help victims of bicycle accidents no matter how "tough" the case may seem."

The then 9-year-old victim was riding her bicycle along the sidewalk on Wild Street when she started to cross the intersection with Becker Place in Sycamore. Despite the presence of a yellow school bus at the intersection with its lights flashing to alert approaching drivers that children were in the area, the driver allegedly drove through the intersection without slowing down and struck the victim with his car. The driver admitted to police that he never saw the little girl on her bicycle before hitting her. State law and local Sycamore ordinances require drivers to slow at intersections and for "hazards." One of the arguments in the case was that a school bus taking kids to school was a kind of "hazard" and ordinary care required the driver to slow in the presence of the bus.  

In this case, the driver who struck the girl did not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate the girl and her family for the cost of her medical bills. The attorneys at Keating Law Offices were able to assist the victim and her family in first obtaining the driver's entire policy limits and then obtaining the full compensation they were entitled to by bringing a claim against her own insurance company under that policy's underinsured motorist coverage. 

Keating Law Offices successfully argued that the driver was at fault in the collision as he violated sections of the Illinois Vehicle Code when he drove at an unreasonable speed through the intersection. The argument was that driving at even a "normal" speed was unsafe with children and a school bus present and these actions directly resulted in the driver striking the young bicyclist. The contrary arguments from the insurance companies were that the real cause of the collision was the girl riding into the roadway of an uncontrolled intersection and, regardless of fault, the girl had made a remarkable recovery in the face of severe injuries. They argued, therefore, that the value of her claim was therefore relatively limited compared to someone who did not make such a successful recovery.

Injuries to bicyclists caused by motor vehicle-versus-bicycle collisions are often severe. These injuries require immediate medical treatment and necessitate a long recovery process. But besides the devastating physical effects of a car-versus-bicycle collision bicyclists, and their families, must face the daunting financial burden of extremely large medical bills. When bicyclists are the victims of injuries caused by underinsured or uninsured drivers they may be able to get compensation through their own insurance policies if they have a plan that provides underinsured or uninsured motorist protection coverage.
 
The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers have successfully helped our clients to obtain justice by utilizing all means possible. Our attorneys represent the victims of bicycling-related personal injuries throughout Illinois as well as working with counsel in other states. In this case, our attorneys were able to obtain a successful pre-trial settlement of the full value of the policy limits from the insurance companies involved. Our firm is known for aggressively advocating for those who have been injured while bicycling including obtaining settlements from insurance companies for the full value allowed under their policies.

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Lawyer Mike Keating by calling him at 312-208-7702 or emailing him at MKeating@KeatingLegal.com. In addition to representing bicyclists, Keating Law Offices handles all types of personal injury cases throughout Illinois.

Keating Law Offices Settles Case for Skokie Bicyclist

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have settled a case on behalf of a Skokie bicyclist who was "doored" on June 26, 2012  in Skokie on Gross Point Road. The bicyclist suffered a severe laceration to his finger, an injury so severe that it required sutures and consultations by a hand surgeon. The bicyclist, a recent law school graduate who was studying for the Illinois bar exam and clerking at a law firm at the time of the collision, was without the full use of his hand while the finger healed. This obviously caused considerable pain and discomfort for the cyclist and budding attorney during his recuperation.

Despite the difficulties of an uncooperative insurance carrier, the case was ultimately settled by consistently presenting facts and legal analysis to the insurance company that showed the motorist was 100% in the wrong for opening the door of her vehicle into traffic. Under Section 11-1407 of the Illinois Rules of the Road a "dooring" occurs when a motorist violates the following statute:

"No person shall open the door of a vehicle on the side available to moving traffic unless and until it is reasonably safe to do so, and can be done without interfering with the movement of other traffic, nor shall any person leave a door open on the side of a vehicle available to moving traffic for a period of time longer than necessary to load or unload passengers."

Keating Law Offices has successfully represented numerous Illinois bicyclists throughout Chicagoland and the rest of Illinois who have been injured in a bicycle accident or bicycle crash while riding. If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving a bicycle 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.

Lawsuit Filed For Victim of Albany Park Bicycle Accident

The Illinois Bicycle Attorneys at Keating Law Offices have filed a claim on January 11, 2013 on behalf of an injured bicyclist against the driver alleged to have struck him in Chicago's Albany Park neighborhood on April 21, 2011. As a result of the collision the bicyclist suffered severe injuries to his upper arm and shoulder which required three separate surgeries and months of physical therapy.

According to the Chicago Police Department's report, the injured cyclist was riding eastbound on Montrose Avenue near its intersection with Troy Avenue when he was suddenly hit by a car. The driver had been traveling northbound on Troy when he came to the stop sign at the intersection with Montrose. Instead of properly stopping and yielding to the bicyclist, who had the right of way under Illinois law, the driver allegedly pulled out into the intersection without warning and struck the bicyclist. At the time of the collision, the driver was driving a company car used for deliveries. The bicyclist was immediately rushed by ambulance to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries.

As a result of the collision the driver was issued two traffic citations by the Chicago Police Department including one for violating Section 9-40-160 of the Chicago Municipal Code. Section 9-40-160 requires all drivers to use "use 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..." Any driver who strikes a bicyclist in Chicago has clearly violated this local law.

Despite Illinois state laws, and laws like 9-40-160 in Chicago, that expressly give bicyclists using roadways protections equal to those of motor vehicles, bicyclists continue to be viewed by many drivers as obstacles or annoyances rather than legal users of the road. Our firm has successfully represented many bicyclists who have been injured by motorists who fail to use the level of care and caution that the law requires of all users of our shared streets to exercise. If you have been injured while biking due to a careless or reckless driver, the experienced Illinois Bicycle Attorneys can help you seek justice whether or not the driver was issued a traffic ticket or citation. Please call us today to discuss your case and options if you have been injured by a car while riding your bike.

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating is available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please contact Mike anytime by calling 312-208-7702 or emailing him at MKeating@KeatingLegal.com. All emails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free. In addition to representing bicyclists, Keating Law Offices handles all types of personal injury cases throughout Illinois.

Lawsuit Filed for Schaumburg Bicyclist Injured When Avoiding an Oncoming Car

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices recently filed a lawsuit on behalf of an injured Schaumburg bicyclist against the driver of the car that allegedly forced the bicyclist off the road. The incident between the bicyclist and driver occurred on the morning June 15, 2012 near the intersection of Grove Avenue and Mercury Drive in Schaumburg, Illinois. The victim bicyclist was heading southbound on Grove past Mercury when the driver of the northbound car is alleged to have suddenly turned left, cutting off the bicyclist and causing him to lose control of his bike. The bicyclist was thrown from his bike and hit the road. 911 was called and paramedics from the Schaumburg Fire Department immediately responded to the scene and transported the victim to the hospital where he was treated for injuries.

Shortly after being released from the hospital, the victim went to the Schaumburg Police Department to file a traffic crash report. After a thorough investigation the driver of the vehicle was ultimately issued a citation for "failing to yield to a pedestrian/bicyclist" in violation of Illinois law. All Illinois drivers have a duty to "exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle..." (625 ILCS 5/11-1003.1) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-1003.1). A car driver may be liable for injuries to a bicyclist even if he does not strike a bicyclist directly. If a driver creates a risk of a collision with a bicyclist and the bicyclist is injured while reacting to an impending crash, or while trying to avoid a direct collision with the car, the driver may be responsible for any physical injuries to the bicyclist or damages to his bicycling equipment. This is the exact scenario alleged to have occurred in this case: the bicyclist's injuries were a direct result of the bicyclist reacting to being cut off by a turning carBicycle accidents and collisions are sudden and frightening.

Many bicyclists don't think about what they would do if they were the victim of a crash until it is too late. Our firm has created an "UPDATED 5 Key Steps to Follow After a Bicycle Accident" to help guide bicyclists through what to do after a crash. Bicyclists have the right to obtain compensation for injuries caused by a careless or reckless driver. An important first step in this process is to contact the police and complete a police report either at the scene of the accident or later at the police station. A police report is a key piece of information that can be used in any claim against a driver. 

If you have any questions regarding this post, or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating by calling 312-208-7702 or emailing him at MKeating@KeatingLegal.com, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All emails and phone calls are returned promptly. Keating Law Offices offers free, no obligation consultations to injured cyclists.

Lawsuit Filed for Chicago Bicyclist Injured in "Left Hook" Bike Accident

On December 31, 2012, Keating Law Offices' attorney Michael Keating filed a lawsuit against the driver of a Toyota SUV who is alleged to have struck a bicyclist at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Halsted Street in Chicago. The lawsuit was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois after the insurance provider for the driver denied the bicyclist's claim for damages. The bicyclist victim is seeking to recover for both the physical injuries he received in the collision and for the damage to his bike. 

The incident occurred on February 24, 2011 as the bicyclist was traveling westbound on Grand. The bicyclist had the right of way and was attempting to cross through the 6-way intersection of Grand/Halstead/Milwaukee. The defendant driver was traveling east on Grand and planning to make a left-hand turn onto northbound Halsted. According to the police report taken at the scene, the driver "admitted" to not seeing the bicyclist either approaching or in the intersection. The driver allegedly made a left turn directly in front of the bicyclist. The driver's abrupt "left hook" gave the bicyclist no time to react and he collided with the rear bumper of the SUV. The lawsuit further alleges that the driver's failure to yield to the bicyclist at the intersection caused the collision and resulting injuries to the bicyclist. 

Under Illinois law, the driver of any vehicle that is waiting to turn left at an intersection is required to yield to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction if the approaching vehicle makes completing the left turn hazardous. (625 ILCS 5/11-902). As we have previously covered in the Illinois Bicycle Law blog, Chicago has enacted laws that provide additional protections to bicyclists by specifically stating that a car driver waiting to make a left turn at an intersection must yield to any approaching bicyclists. (Chicago Municipal Code Section 9-16-020(e)). 

Here, the lawsuit alleges that by failing to yield to the approaching bicyclist, the driver of the SUV violated both Chicago and Illinois state laws and is liable for the damages incurred by the bicyclist. The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have previously won favorable settlements for bicyclists injured by drivers who have failed to yield as required by law. Our firm's experienced attorneys are passionate about protecting the rights of all bicyclists. Were are here to help if you have been injured while biking due to a reckless or careless driver. 

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating by calling 312-208-7702 or emailing him at MKeating@KeatingLegal.com, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All emails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free.

Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Bicyclist Injured in a Hit-and-Run

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Legal Offices filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on behalf of a bicyclist who was the victim of a "hit-and-run" bicycle accident. The lawsuit was filed against the driver of a Mercedes SUV who fled the scene of the accident after allegedly striking and injuring a bicyclist with his vehicle.

The "hit-and-run" occurred on the morning of November 17, 2011. The victim was commuting to his job via bicycle through the far Northwest Side of Chicago. The bicyclist was traveling northbound on Central Avenue when an SUV, also traveling northbound, attempted to pass him just before the intersection with Elston Avenue. This is often referred to as a "right hook" bicycle accident. According to the police report, witnesses saw the SUV hit the bicyclist from the side knocking him headfirst into the ground. The victim not only smashed his head on the pavement but also sustained extensive bruises and lacerations to his face, hands, arms, and legs.

In an incredible twist, witnesses reported to police that instead of attempting to assist the obviously injured bicyclists, the driver of the SUV and a passenger exited the car after the collision and "started yelling" at the victim while he was on the ground. After concluding this verbal assault the driver fled the scene, but thanks to information from eyewitnesses who called 911, the Chicago Police Department was later able to locate the driver.

Under both Illinois state law (625 ILCS 5/11-703) and the Chicago Municipal Code (9-36-010(c)), the driver of a motor vehicle is required to leave a "safe distance" of at least 3 feet when passing a bicyclist traveling in the same direction. Any driver who physically hits a bicyclist while attempting to pass on the left, as the SUV driver allegedly did in this case, has clearly violated both Illinois and Chicago laws.

If you have been the victim of an accident or collision by a "hit-and-run" driver you may be uncertain about what steps to take to ensure that the driver who has injured you is held responsible. The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices are prepared to assist you and to answer your questions about what to do next. Our attorneys have experience representing victims of "hit-and-runs" and are ready to help you seek justice against any driver who has injured you.

If you have any questions regarding this port or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating is available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please contact Mike anytime by calling 312-208-7702 or emaling him at MKeating@KeatingLegal.com. All emails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free. Keating Law Offices handles all types of personal injury cases throughout Illinois.

Keating Law Offices Settles Case for Champaign, IL Bicyclist

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have settled a case on behalf of a Champaign, Illinois bicyclist who was injured in an entirely preventable bicycle accident. On August 9, 2011, the bicyclist was commuting home by bike on Church Street in Champaign when he was rear-ended as he was stopped at a red light. At the time of the accident it was still light outside, the bicyclist was wearing a yellow reflective vest, and he had two flashing taillights on his bicycle. The impact of the motorist crashing into the bicycle caused the bicyclist to be thrown forward and for the bike to be knocked under him.

As if this preventable collision was not bizarre enough, the motorist admitted to police at the scene that he struck the bicyclist because he did not see the bicyclist even though the bicyclist could not have been more visible. The situation then only became more complicated when the insurance company for the motorist admitted that the collision was the motorist's fault, but refused to compensate the bicyclist for his injuries because it claimed the injuries were not severe nor related to the collision.

After facing the non-cooperative insurance company, the bicyclist contacted Keating Law Offices for counsel. The firm immediately got to work on the case. The attorneys were able to show that, prior to the collision, the bicyclist was in  great shape and rode his bike pain-free approximately 10,000 miles a year prior to the crash. This fact, combined with reports from the bicyclist's doctor, proved that the injuries were related to the collision. The key to the success of this case, and so many cases like it, was the firm's willingness and ability to track down key details that, when put together, combined to make the case. Ultimately, the bicyclist was adequately compensated for his medical expenses, lost wages, loss of a normal life, and pain and suffering during his recovery.

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. 

As evidenced by this case, the firm is licensed and available to handle cases throughout Illinois. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free.