Keating Law Offices Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Chicago Bicyclist Sideswiped by CTA Bus

Western Avenue at Walton - Scene of bicycle accident involving a Chicago bicyclist and CTA bus.

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have filed a lawsuit on behalf of an injured Chicago bicyclist against the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and one of its bus drivers. The lawsuit stems from a bicycle crash that occurred on the afternoon of July 18, 2014 near Chicago's Ukrainian Village neighborhood.

Prior to the crash, the bicyclist was riding southbound on North Western Avenue near its intersection with West Walton Street. At the same time, the driver of a CTA bus began passing the bicyclist on the left side of her bicycle. According to the report filed by the responding Chicago police officer, the bicycle rack on the front of the bus first clipped her handlebar and then the aluminum frame of the advertisement on the side of the CTA bus again "clipped" the handlebar a second time. According to the police report, the bicyclist was dragged along the bus before being able to push away from the bus. While she was able to keep from falling underneath the bus, she still crashed onto Western Avenue.

The CTA bus driver continued to drive southbound on North Western Avenue until a passenger alerted the bus driver about the alleged incident. According to reports, there are multiple witnesses to this collision. As a result of this injury, the bicyclist suffered a severe injury to her ulnar nerve near her elbow. This injury required a surgical repair that left the bicyclist with a permanent scar. The bicyclist also continues to suffer from decreased strength and dexterity in her hand and arm from the injury. In addition, the injured bicyclist suffered abrasions that left scars throughout her body.

The lawsuit alleges that the CTA, by and through its employee, was negligent for failing to meet certain laws and requirements related to the handling of a bus around a bicycle. The Illinois Vehicle Code states that a driver of a vehicle overtaking a bicycle traveling in the same direction shall pass to the left of that bicycle at a safe distance in order to safely clear said bicycle.  625 ILCS 5/11-703(a).

In addition, Section 9-36-010 of the Municipal Code of Chicago requires something known as the “3-Foot Rule.” That is, the operator of a motor vehicle (in this case a bus) that is overtaking a bicycle traveling in the same direction on a highway must leave a safe distance, but not less than 3 feet, when passing the bicycle. The motor vehicle must then maintain that distance until safely past the overtaken bicycle.

According to the lawsuit filed on January 29, 2015 in the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, the CTA bus driver allegedly failed to leave the safe distance of at least 3 feet between the bus and the victim bicyclist. The lawsuit also alleges that the driver of the CTA bus allegedly failed to safely clear the victim and her bicycle and these failures caused the bicyclist to lose her balance and fall into the side of the bus.

All Illinois drivers have a duty to keep a proper lookout for bicyclists or other vehicles upon said streets. If a driver were to fail to keep a proper lookout for a bicyclist and then struck said bicyclist, that driver would be liable for the injuries the bicyclist suffered. All Illinois drivers also have a duty to make sure that their vehicles move into a lane of traffic safely and that they exercise due care to avoid colliding with any person operating a bicycle. Bicyclists have a right to obtain compensation for injuries caused by a driver who does not exercise due care while operating his or her vehicle. 

News Story Profiles Keating Law Offices Employees As Part of Story on "Winter Warrior" Biking

Today is the 14th Annual "Winter Bike to Work Day." DNAinfo Chicago recently posted an informative article by Alisa Hauser, who interviewed Chicago “Winter Warrior” bicyclists willing to share survival tips while cycling throughout the Windy City even in the midst of winter. The article features Keating Law Offices very own attorney, Michael Keating, and administrative assistant, Hannah Zenke.

According to Ms. Hauser’s article, Active Transportation Alliance estimates that 8,000 people use a bike to commute in Chicago during the winter, including KLO’s Hannah Zenke. Hannah commutes 10 miles daily from her home in Logan Square to Downtown. Hannah really enjoys biking for both her mental and physical health.

“It’s a way to beat the seasonal depression, it’s totally a real thing…Exercising in any way shape or form will release serotonin. You get a good feeling afterward. Just the fact you are a winter warrior and you made it to work, it’s a high-five, it makes you feel like a badass,” Hannah told DNAinfo Chicago.

Hannah stays warm while biking by wearing a wool onesie underneath her clothes, Pearli Izumi tights, two pairs of gloves, a face buff, and goggles to keep the snow out of her eyes.

Section 9-52-045 of the Municipal Code of Chicago requires that:

 “a bicyclist upon the roadway or upon any public path set aside for the use of bicycles shall give hand and arm signals in the following manner:

1. Left turn, left hand and arm extended horizontally;

2. Right turn, left hand and arm extended upward, or right hand and arm extended horizontally;

3. Stop or decrease speed, left or right hand and arm extended downward.”

If Chicago cyclists want to feel good while surviving as a winter warrior like Hannah does, her pro tip to fellow cyclists is to wear layers. While you layer up for Chicago’s snowy winters, keep in mind that you may want to wear some reflectors on top of your layers, that way motorists can see your hand and arm signals that are required by Illinois law.

The Illinois Vehicle Code states that any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable and safe to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway…except (iii) when reasonably necessary to avoid conditions. 625 ILCS 5/11-1505.

Because of winter weather conditions in Chicago, cyclists may find themselves traveling at a lesser speed than what they are normally used to during the hot, sunny summer days. This Illinois law takes into consideration that there may be certain conditions that prevent cyclists from biking as close and safe to the right-hand curb as possible while traveling at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic.

Attorney Michael Keating of the Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices told DNAinfo Chicago his biggest concern in the winter months is that drivers don’t expect to see cyclists on the road. The road is narrower due to snow removal and cyclists do not have as much room.

Section 9-36-010 of the Municipal Code of Chicago requires that the operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle traveling in the same direction on a highway shall leave a safe distance, but not less than 3 feet, when passing the bicycle and shall maintain that distance until safely past the overtaken bicycle. This law is often referred to as the "3-Foot Rule."

With the narrowness of roads due to snow removal, it makes it much more difficult for motorists to comply with Section 9-36-010, thus making the roads less safe for bicyclists. That is why Attorney Keating describes cyclists who bike, regardless of the weather conditions, as committed. “It is part of their life, who they are, and they are committed to moving by bike. We have hot summers and cold and snowy winters and those that ride every season reflect just how committed they are.”

Illinois Vehicle Code requires that “every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and with a red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the Department which shall be visible from all distances from 100 feet to 600 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.” 625 ILCS 5/11-1507 (a).

So, when riding a bicycle at night in Illinois, cyclists must have a white light equipped on the front of their bicycle with a light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet. In addition to that front light, the cyclist must have an approved red reflector on the rear of his or her bike that is visible from 100 to 600 feet by a car with its headlights on. In addition to the red reflector and if the cyclist chooses, a red light may also be equipped on the bicycle’s rear with a light visible from a distance of 500 feet. Attorney Keating suggests that cyclists use as many lights as possible because visibility is very poor during Chicago’s winter months. A headlight will give cyclists a greater visibility while riding, making your ride home compliant with Illinois law and much safer. 

Although Chicagoans know the frigid temperatures, wind chills, and snow and ice storms that so often happen during the winter months here in Chicago, the key to staying safe and warm as a cyclist is to layer clothing, be a defensive cyclist, and follow the regulations provided by Illinois law.
 
If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, 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.

Chicago Bicyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run - Police Searching for Dark Colored Mini-Van

Viaduct on West Division Street where Chicago Bicyclist, Aimer Robledo, was the victim of a fatal hit-and-run crash.

30-year old Aimer Robledo was killed in a fatal bicycle crash early New Year's Day. Aimer was riding under a viaduct in the 4700 block of West Division Street on his way back to his home when he was struck by a hit-and-run driver. Aimer was pronounced dead at Mt. Sinai Hospital early Thursday morning. 

According to news reports, Aimer had stopped to see his wife and two children before continuing on to the house where he was staying separately from the family. While on his way back to the house, he was struck by a dark colored mini-van that then fled the scene. There are currently no further reports on identifying characteristics of the mini-van. There are also no reports about the specific locations of the two vehicles, the bicycle and the mini-van, at the time of the fatal collision. Photographs on the Chicago Tribune's website show a bicycle laying upon the yellow concrete median that runs underneath the viaduct.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Aimer Robledo.

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, 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.