Keating Law Offices Sponsors Ride Illinois' Grand Illinois Tour

Photo Courtesy of Ride Illinois. GIT Riders Receive Free Keating Law Offices water bottles for the 14th Annual Ride. 

Keating Law Offices was a proud sponsor of the 14th Annual Grand Illinois Trail and Parks Bike Tour. The "GIT" as it is commonly called is a 300-mile tour of Illinois that took over 200 bicyclists from the start in Coal City then with stops in Oglesby, Washington, Bloomington-Normal and finally in Pontiac. Click here for an article from the Pontiac Daily Leader on the ride.

The GIT helps promote the work of Ride Illinois. Ride Illinois, formerly the League of Illinois Bicyclists, is dedicated to "improving bicycling conditions throughout the state. We are the advocate for all Illinois bicyclists, promoting bicycle access, education, and safety." To learn more about Ride Illinois, visit them on the web at www.RideIllinois.org.

Keating Law Offices is the premiere personal injury law firm representing victims of bicycle accidents in Illinois. The firm is based in Chicago, Illinois and represents clients throughout Illinois. The firm is committed to representing the rights of bicyclists in Illinois through efforts in advocacy, outreach, and litigation. 

Keating Law Offices Sponsors the 2016 Prairie State Cycling Series

Keating Law Offices is once again a sponsor of the the Prairie State Cycling Series (PSCC) along with title sponsors Intelligentsia Coffee and SRAM. The race series has grown to be the second largest bicycle race series in the United States. Regarding Keating Law Offices' sponsorship of the PSCC, attorney Michael Keating of Keating Law Offices said:

"The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers of Keating Law Offices are very pleased to sponsor the Prairie State Cycling Series. Our involvement with the Prairie State Cycling Series goes back to 2012. We are very proud to have been apart of the growth of the series and love that we have an opportunity to promote bicycling. It is very rewarding to have played a role in the popularity of the series. As advocates of Illinois bicyclists, we are deeply committed to promoting bicycling in Illinois, whether it be by advocating for safer streets, fighting for our clients in the courtroom, or supporting pro-level bicycling in Illinois."

Attorney Mike Keating and other members of Keating Law Offices will be at each race cheering on the riders. This is a very exciting time for bicycling in Illinois. The popularity of the Prairie State Cycling Series reflects the growth in the popularity of bicycling in Illinois whether it be recreational riding for fun or exercise, commuting by bicycle, or competitive bicycling.

Keating Law Offices is the premiere law firm in Illinois that represents victims of bicycle accidents and crashes. Attorney Michael S. Keating is the Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Committee for the National Trial Lawyers Association known as the American Association for Justice. The firm is nationally renowned for its experience in handling cases stemming from injuries or wrongful deaths as a result of collisions with motor vehicles.

Video Details Emerge That Chicago Bicyclist Virginia Murray Was Killed In Right-Hook Crash

Intersection of Sacramento and Belmont in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood.

The death of 25-year old Virginia Murray of Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood has made news headlines in large part because it is the first death of a bicyclist utilizing a bike share bicycle. However, the "right-hook" crash that took her life is unfortunately all too familiar in Chicago. Illinois and Chicago traffic laws that are already in place are designed to protect the bicyclist from this traffic scenario ever occurring. The driver of the flat-bed truck involved apparently did not see the bicyclist and failed to yield the right-of-way when making a right-hand turn. This is known as a "right-hook" crash.  

According to a new report from ABC 7 - Chicago, there is video surveillance footage that depicts the fatal collision between Chicago bicyclist Virginia Murray and the flat-bed tow truck. As reported in the report and previously reported information, the flatbed truck approached the light at Belmont on northbound Sacramento. The truck came to a stop. While stopped, 25-year old Virginia Murray, rode up to the right side of the truck between the curb and the truck itself. In the video it is clear that Ms. Murray was within the field of view of the truck's driver as the flat-bed truck began its turn. Ms. Murray's path was exactly the one that a Chicago bicyclist should follow. 

Illinois law requires bicyclists to ride as close as possible to the right-hand curb in situations like this. Section 11-1505 provides as follows:

Sec. 11-1505. Position of bicycles and motorized pedal cycles on roadways - Riding on roadways and bicycle paths. 

(a) Any person operating a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle 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 under the following situations: 

1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle, motorized pedal cycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction; or 

2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway; or 

3. When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, parked or moving vehicles, bicycles, motorized pedal cycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For purposes of this subsection, a "substandard width lane" means a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane; or 

4. When approaching a place where a right turn is authorized. 

(b) Any person operating a bicycle or motorized pedal cycle upon a one-way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable. (Source: P.A. 97-813, eff. 7-13-12.)

The collision occurred when the truck turned right across Ms. Murray. This is what is known as a "right-hook" collision. In Chicago, the Chicago Municipal Code addresses this scenario. Section 9-16-020 of the Municipal Code of Chicago specifically prohibits right turns in front of bicycles. The infographic below details right-hook and left-hook bicycle crashes. The ordinance states:

“When a motor vehicle and a bicycle are traveling in the same direction on any highway, street, or road, the operator of the motor vehicle overtaking such bicycle traveling on the right side of the roadway shall not turn to the right in front of the bicycle at that intersection or at any alley or driveway until such vehicle has overtaken and is safely clear of the bicycle.” 

As an attorney who focuses my practice on representing victims of bicycle crashes, right-hook collisions are unfortunately very common. The reason that these types of crashes are so common is simple: the motorist does not see the bicyclist even though they have the opportunity to do so. The motorist typically makes the turn without ever checking for other traffic - including bicycles - when making the turn and the collision occurs. 

The key words in the ordinance are "until such vehicle has overtaken and is safely clear of the bicycle." The weight of these words are that it is incumbent upon the motorist to make absolute certain that the path is clear before turning. In addition, the motor vehicle involved in this situation is the type of truck that is utilized in a professional capacity. Drivers of such vehicles are required to meet a higher duty to make sure they are driving safely at all times.

In Illinois the failure of a motorist to adhere to the Illinois Rules of the Road and the Chicago Municipal Code in a bicycle crash that leads to the death of a bicyclist can be the basis for a wrongful death claim against the driver. In cases where the driving was working at the time of the collision, the legal principle of respondeat superior applies. This legal principal means that the employer is responsible for the acts - including the failures - of its employee.

This is a tragic collision that has cost the life of another Chicago bicyclist. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Virginia Murray. 

Leaders In Bicycle Crash Litigation

Keating Law Offices is the premier law firm in Illinois that represents victims of bicycle accidents and crashes. Attorney Michael S. Keating is the Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Committee for the National Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice. Keating Law Offices has represented the families of the victims of some of the most high profile cases in Illinois. The firm is nationally renowned for its experience in handling cases stemming from injuries or wrongful deaths as a result of collisions with motor vehicles.

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Michael S. 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 absolutely free and without any obligation.

Bicyclist Riding Divvy Bike Killed In Collision With Flat-Bed Truck in Avondale

A Wicker Park woman riding a Divvy bike in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood was killed in a crash with a flat-bed truck. According to DNAInfo.com, the bicyclist has been identified as 25-year old Virginia Murray. Multiple news outlets are reporting that this is the first death of a rider using a bike-sharing bicycle within the United States. 

Prior to the crash, both the bicyclist and the operator of the flat-bed truck were traveling on Sacramento near Belmont in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood on the northwest side. Images posted on the DNAInfo.com article show the flat bed track in the street with the Divvy bicycle upon the nearby sidewalk. This would appear to indicate that the bicycle was to the inside of the truck at the time of impact. 

"Right Hook" Bicycle Crashes

According to the Chicago Police Department, the flat-bed truck and the bicyclist were both traveling north on Sacramento when both the bicyclist and the truck made a right-hand turn onto Belmont. As both vehicles were turning onto Belmont a collision occurred. The general facts of the crash at this time suggest what is known as a "right-hook" crash. 

A "right-hook" occurs when the operator of a motor vehicle turns right over a bicyclist riding in the same direction. Given that a bicyclist typically rides to the right towards the curb that would place the bicyclist on the "inside" of a turning motor vehicle.

Flat-bed trucks are typically commercial vehicles most often used as tow trucks. Operators of these vehicles are required to adhere to all of the applicable rules of the road, such as the Chicago Municipal Code, the Illinois Vehicle Code, and also Federal requirements for vehicles of this nature. These legal requirements provide that 1) Drivers should "keep a proper lookout" for bicycles; and 2) to not turn right until it is safe to do so. It is axiomatic that if a vehicle is "clear" to turn, that a bicycle crash cannot occur.

Legal Requirements for Commercial Vehicles

In addition, there are other specific laws that apply to a bicycle crash of this nature:

• 49 C.F.R. Section 383.111 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires a professional driver to recognize and avoid potential hazards at all times around a turning tractor truck. 
• Section 11-1003.1 of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code states that every driver of a vehicle must 1) always exercise care to avoid colliding with pedestrians and bicyclists, and 2) sound their horn to provide warning of an impending impact.
• Section 9-16-020 of the Municipal Code of Chicago specifically provides that a motor vehicle should not turn right across the path of a bicyclist traveling in the same direction until it is "clear" and safe to make the turn. This is known as a "right hook."

Legal Consequences of Fatal Crashes

There are no reports as of yet regarding any traffic-related criminal charges having been filed. In Illinois, a crash of this nature can also be the basis of a wrongful death case on behalf of the family of the bicyclist. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Virginia Murray and all those affected by this tragedy. 

Leaders In Bicycle Crash Litigation

Keating Law Offices is the premier law firm in Illinois that represents victims of bicycle accidents and crashes. Attorney Michael S. Keating is the Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Committee for the National Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice. The firm is nationally renowned for its experience in handling cases stemming from injuries or wrongful deaths as a result of collisions with motor vehicles.

If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Michael S. 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 absolutely free and without any obligation.