News Reports of Bike Crash Involving 14-Year Old Doored in Palmer Square

2600 West Armitage in Chicago, Illinois

News outlets, including the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times, are reporting that a 14-year old boy was seriously injured early this morning. The bicycle crash occurred in the 2600 block of West Armitage on the city's northwest side in the Palmer Square neighborhood. Given the time of the day and the age of the boy he was possibly riding his bicycle to school. The boy was taken via ambulance to Illinois Masonic Hospital for a reported head injury. Click here for the Chicago Tribune article. 

In an article published on Saturday, the Chicago Sun-Times provided more detail and that this was a "dooring" where a motorist opened their door directly into the path of the boy. The Chicago Municipal Code specifically prohibits "doorings." The Sun-Times reported that the driver was given a ticket related to this bike crash. 

The Chicago Municipal Code provides:

"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 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. If you have any questions regarding this post or have a question regarding personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-239-6787 (Office) or 312-208-7702 (Nights/Weekends). Our staff and operators are available around the clock. You can also email Mike@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.

"You make house calls?" Why It Is Important That Your Attorney Treats You As More Than Another Client

Illinois Bicycle Law Attorney Mike Keating

A Chicago bicyclist called me last week after he was injured in a crash. He was badly injured and had just gotten home from the hospital. I told him that it was no problem for me to come meet with him in person. His response was, "You make house calls?"

I never thought of it in those exact terms before but, yes, we do make house calls. To me (not just as a lawyer but as a bicyclist) I know how it feels in the days after a bike crash. You are shaken up, in pain, and worried about the days in front of you. The last thing you need is to have to travel down to a law firm. That is why we have always "made house calls" and met with our clients at their home, at work, or wherever is convenient for them. We are also always available to meet in the evening or on weekends if necessary. We are here for you.

In an age where personal injury attorneys advertise on TV and on highway billboards, it is easy for someone to fear that they would be "just a number" or "just another client." Our commitment to the Illinois bicycle community is that we are ready to assist any bicyclist injured anywhere in Illinois at anytime. This can mean anything from offering some helpful advice to complex litigation. But we will do whatever is best for each client. And that always includes "making house calls" when necessary.

Initial consultations are 100% free and with zero obligation. In fact, there are zero attorney's fees unless we make a recovery for you in your case. If you have been injured in a bicycle crash in Illinois, please call Keating Law Offices at anytime. We have online chat operators who are literally available 24/7/365. You can reach us on the phone at 312-239-6787 (Office) or 312-208-7702 (Nights/Weekends). You can also email Mike@KeatingLegal.com 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly.

Bike Attorney Mike Keating's Article, "Bicycling In An Automobile's World," Published In Trial Magazine

Illinois Bicycle Law Shield

More Americans use bicycles than ever before, but decaying infrastructure, automobile-focused transportation policies, and a lack of federal funding put bicyclists at serious risk of harm. These are the issues investigated in a recent journal article authored by Keating Law Offices attorney Michael S. Keating. The article, entitled "Bicycling In An Automobile's World," was recently published in Trial Magazine. Trial Magazine is an award-winning publication produced by the American Association for Justice, the national trial lawyer organization that works to promote a fair and effective justice system for injured Americans and their families. 

America's Decaying Infrastructure May Directly Lead To Bicycle Accidents

For decades, the United States has failed to adequately incorporate bicycles into its overall transportation plan, instead focusing almost entirely on motor vehicle traffic. This longstanding transportation policy has resulted in roadways, bridges, and other elements of transportation infrastructure that are not “bike friendly.” Bicyclists are vulnerable roadway users and current transportation policies unfairly place them in harm’s way, leading to crashes that could have been avoided by adding bicycle-friendly features into the transportation infrastructure. A bike-friendly transportation project incorporates features such as bicycle lanes and paths, and it creates safer streets so that its overall design helps bicyclists stay safe.

Illinois Bicycle Attorney Michael S. Keating

Attorney Michael S. Keating is a national leader in the field of bicycle litigation.  Keating Law Offices has successfully represented hundreds of injured bicyclists and their families and in the process recovered millions of dollars in settlements and awards. Mr. Keating has served for years as the Chair of the American Association for Justice's Bicycle Litigation Committee and is an active member of the Active Transportation Alliance and Ride Illinois, formerly the League of Illinois Bicyclists. 

Keating Law Offices Is Always Available For A Free Consultation

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. If you have any questions regarding this post or have a question regarding personal injury law, please contact Illinois Bicycle Attorney Mike Keating at 312-239-6787 (Office) or 312-208-7702 (Nights/Weekends). Our staff and operators are available around the clock. You can also email Mike@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.

Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Chicago Bicyclist Severely Injured in Dooring

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County on March 19, 2015 on behalf of a bicyclist who sustained severe injuries as a result of being doored in West Town. The dooring occurred in September of 2013.

The bicyclist was riding her bicycle northbound on North Wood Street when she came upon a Dodge Intrepid parked on North Wood. As the bicyclist approached, the motorist suddenly opened the driver’s door of his vehicle directly into the path of the bicyclist. With no time to react, the bicyclist violently crashed into the open vehicle door and her right arm sustained significant trauma as she crashed into the door. As a result of the impact, the bicyclist was thrown from her bike to the pavement on her right side and ultimately ended up in the middle of North Wood Street.

The lawsuit alleges that the motorist, and by extension, his insurance company, are liable for compensating the bicyclist for her injuries because of the motorist breaking the Rules of the Road. Section 11-1407 of the Illinois Vehicle Code and Section 9-80-035 of Municipal Code of Chicago provide that:

“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.”

In addition, the motorist was uncooperative with the reporting police officer when asked to go to the police station and initially refused to cooperate with the police investigation.

Due to her severe injuries, the bicyclist was taken to the emergency room at Rush University Medical Center immediately after the collision. She was diagnosed with an injury to her spinal cord which has required ongoing treatment with a neurosurgeon and also suffered a permanent injury to her upper arm that resulted in a "crease" in the muscle mass of her arm. She continues to receive treatment for her injuries.

Illinois Bicycle Lawyer Mike Keating stated as follows regarding the filing of this lawsuit:

"Few people willingly want to participate in a lawsuit. However, sometimes in instances like this where there is an uncooperative defendant and that defendant's insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith, we are left with no choice but to file a lawsuit to protect our client's rights. We are always willing to do whatever it takes to make sure our clients have the absolute best chance of receiving justice after being the victim of a bike crash." 

Claim for Bicyclist Doored by Cab Driver Settled - Even After Insurance Company Goes Out of Business

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have obtained a settlement for a Chicago bicyclist who was doored by a taxi cab driver in October of 2010. The bicycle accident occurred on Halsted Street near its intersection with Division in Chicago. 

Halsted Street has a bike lane on either side. The incident occurred as the bicyclist was traveling southbound in the bike lane on Halsted. The taxi cab initially passed the bicyclist on southbound Halsted and then pulled into a parallel parking spot in front of a cab stand. 

In spite of the fact the taxi cab just passed the bicyclist, the cab driver threw open the cab door just as the bicyclist went past. The bike accident occurred when the bicyclist had zero opportunity to stop or avoid the door and a collision occurred. Interestingly, the responding police officer did not write a report for a traffic crash, but instead wrote the incident up as an "assault" given the truly irresponsible behavior on the part of the cab driver.

As a result of this "dooring," the bicyclist was thrown over her handlebars and landed face first on the street. This severe impact caused the bicyclist to suffer "road rash" to her face and knock a tooth loose. The tooth was ultimately replaced by an orthodontist.

The attorneys at Keating Law Offices filed suit against the cab company and served them with the lawsuit. After their attorneys entered into the case, the insurance company for the taxicab company, Ulico Insurance, went out of business because the state determined that the insurance company did not have enough money to keep operating. This is what is known as "receivership." 

Since this bike accident happened in Illinois, the Illinois Guaranty Fund became involved. the Illinois Guaranty Fund is a state-run program that essentially provides "insurance for insurance." It exists so that when there are situations like this where there was an absence of insurance because of some issue with the insurance company, that there is still some opportunity for recourse. 

The bicycle attorneys at Keating Law Offices stayed with the case and pursued it for four years. Attorney Mike Keating said, "This was a very frustrating situation. Not only was the bicyclist severely injured by the inexcusable actions of the cab driver, but the insurance company for the cab company that should have been there to compensate her for her personal injuries essentially disappeared. Yet, in the end by fighting for our client we were able to obtain compensation for her." 

This situation also reflects why it is important to seek legal advice when dealing with a personal injury case. The issues surrounding insurance companies are often very complicated and far from simple.  The attorneys at Keating Law Offices have the trial experience to handle practically any case related to a bicycle crash or accident.  All initial consultations are confidential and free and there are absolutely no legal fees unless we make a financial recovery for you. 

"Denied" Lawsuit Settled for Chicago Bicyclist Injured in Bike Accident at Congested Grand - Halsted - Milwaukee Intersection

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at the Keating Law Offices have successfully settled a lawsuit for a Chicago bicyclist who was seriously injured in a collision with a motor vehicle at the six-cornered intersection of West Grand Avenue, North Halsted Street and North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. At this intersection, Grand Avenue runs east and west, Halsted Street runs north and south and Milwaukee Avenue cuts through at a 45 degree angle, running southeast and northwest.  This complicated intersection is often congested at all hours of the day with all kinds of traffic, including bicyclists who use the popular bike lane on Milwaukee Avenue. 

One late night in February of 2013, the bicyclist was headed westbound on Grand Avenue near the six-way intersection on his way home from work at a restaurant near Millenium Park. At the same time, the motorist, who was traveling eastbound on West Grand Avenue, attempted to make a left turn onto northbound North Halsted Street. The motorist cut directly in front of the bicyclist and the two collided in the intersection. This type of collision is known as a "left hook" crash. 

The bicyclist immediately experienced intense pain throughout his body and was later diagnosed with multiple injuries. Most significantly the bicyclist learned he had suffered a broken left leg. The motorist, despite the well lit intersection, claims not to have seen the bicyclist. After taking both parties’ statements and reviewing physical evidence at the crash scene, the responding Chicago police officer determined that the motorist was at fault for failing to yield to the bicyclist. 

Chicago law is clear on a motorist’s duty to yield the right of way when making a left turn across traffic. Section 11-902 of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code states:

"The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection . . . shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard."

In simple terms, even though both the bicyclist and motorist had a green light, since the motorist was attempting to make a left turn across the westbound lanes of traffic and the bicyclist was headed straight through the intersection, the bicyclist had the right of way.  The motorist should have yielded to the bicyclist and when she didn't, the crash occurred and the bicyclist was injured.

Furthermore, the Chicago Municipal Code also makes it clear that a motorist’s claim not to have seen a bicyclist is not a valid excuse. The Code specifically offers legal protection to the bicyclists by requiring motorists to utilize "due care" in driving around bicyclists. The requirement to exercise “due care” basically means that all motorists are required to operate their vehicles in a careful, reasonable and safe manner. This requirement varies case by case, depending on things such as traffic conditions, weather conditions and time of day. In this case, the “due care” requirement for a motorist driving through this particular six-way intersection late at night necessarily included the responsibility to look out for the numerous bicyclists that utilize Milwaukee Avenue's bike lane. 

The injured bicyclist came to the Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at the Keating Law Offices for legal advice. Despite the facts of the case and the early determination by the police officer, the claim had been initially denied by the insurance company and its lawyers. The insurance company argued that the motorist did nothing wrong and it was not her fault she couldn't see the bicyclist at night. 

However,  we felt that the argument was superficial at best. After filing a lawsuit and litigating the case, Attorneys Mike Keating and Joseph Vietri were able to settle the lawsuit and compensate the injured bicyclist for his medical bills, pain and suffering and loss of a normal life. “Loss of a normal life” is defined as “the temporary or permanent diminished ability to enjoy life,” and is a type of “damage” that can be compensated for under Illinois law. It “includes a person’s inability to pursue the pleasurable aspects of life.” 

Unfortunately for this bicyclist, his serious injuries greatly limited his daily life. An avid bicyclist and father to a young child, the bicyclist was unable to ride his bicycle or care for his young child for some time following the crash.

Chicago Hints at Explosion in Number of Bike-Share Stations

Chicago's cyclists should be excited for the expansion of protected lanes and bike facilities throughout the city as a part of the Streets for Cycling Plan 2020, also known as the "Bike 2020 Plan." Bike-share stations will figure prominently in the landscape of Chicago of 2020. Gabe Klein, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation predicts Chicago to be dotted with thousands of bike-share stations, holding over ten thousand bikes available for public use. Embracing this comprehensive approach to increasing ridership in Chicago, the 2020 Plan integrates new and existing technologies together, the public sector with the private.

Bike-share stations will be integrated into the existing public transportation network of buses and trains, giving users the flexibility and the option to choose their mode of transport. City planners are proceeding with the expectation that smartphone and web-based applications will provide real-time information to users as to the locations and numbers of bike-share bikes at specific locations.

Central to the expansion of bike-share stations is the collaboration with the private sector, companies like Chicago's own iGo. iGo, a non-profit car sharing firm, hopes to expand their user base to cyclists as well by building bike-share stations that not only provide standard bicycles but also cargo bicycles and electric-assisted bicycles. All of these measures amount to increasing the practicality of using bikes in the city.

The Bike 2020 Plan sounds very promising for all skill levels of cyclists. Increasing access to safe routes while simultaneously increasing the number of riders will help reduce interactions with motor vehicles, thus significantly decreasing the potential for bicycle collisions and bicycle accidents.The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices support Chicago's efforts to increase ridership and to make bicycling more accessible.

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.

Chicago Predicted to See a 300-500% Increase in Bike Traffic by 2020

The Chicago Tribune has reported on the details of Chicago's forthcoming Streets for Cycling 2020 Plan that were in part unveiled yesterday at a forum sponsored by iGo at Chicago's Union League Club. The most significant detail of the forthcoming Streets for Cycling 2020 Plan is that Chicago's leaders believe that the City can support three to five times the number of bicyclists that it does now. In addition, the Streets for Cycling 2020 Plan will add 600 miles of bicycle facilities to the 100 miles of protected bike lanes called for by Mayor Emmanuel.

As bicycle law attorneys who live and practice in the Chicago area, we have seen both the positives and negatives in the surge of bicyclists in Chicago. The positives include the health and environmental benefits of bicycling as a recreational activity and mode of regular transportation.The negatives include a rash of bicycle accident related injuries as a result of drivers who do not accept their responsibility to "share the road" and in some instances outdated infrastructure that is not conducive to safe bicycling. These factors lead to doorings, intersection collisions, bike accidents from hitting potholes, and other common causes of bicycle accidents.

The fact that Chicago continues to be a leader in "big city bicycling" is applauded by the bicycle law attorneys at Keating Law Offices. The fact that the City has made "big plans" about bicycling will lead to a populace that appreciates and accepts bicyclists on its roadways and will lead to modernized infrastructure that will be more conducive to bicycling. The combination of these factors will help Chicago reduce the number of bicycle accidents and bicycle deaths on its streets.

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 is conveniently located in downtown Chicago and its attorneys are available to meet with you in your home or at work if necessary.

Skokie Bicyclist Doored Near North Shore Channel Trail

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have been retained to represent a Skokie man who sustained a serious injury after being "doored" in a bicycle accident in Skokie. The bike accident occurred on the morning of June 26 while he was riding northbound on Gross Point Road. While riding northbound on Gross Point Road the bicyclist was doored by a driver. Under Section 11-1407 of the Illinois Rules of the Road a "dooring" is as follows:

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.

In this motor vehicle vs. bicycle accident, the driver's side door of the motor vehicle impacted with the cyclist's right side of the handlebars, a classic occurrence when a driver opens their driver's side door without looking. The driver of the motor vehicle was required to only open her driver side door if it was reasonably safe.

As a result of the dooring, the cyclist suffered a severe gash on the middle finger of his right hand after the edge of the door lacerated the finger. The police officer who filed the report issued the driver who caused the bike accident a citation for "dooring."

Keating Law Offices has successfully represented numerous Illinois bicyclists 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. All e-mails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free.

Can Mayor Emanuel's "Chicago Forward" Plan Eliminate All Traffic Fatalities?

Mayor Emanuel has recently announced the "Chicago Forward" Plan under which the Mayor aims to eliminate all traffic fatalities within 10 years. For the bicyclists of Chicago, the agenda also aims to reduce by 50% of all injuries sustained in Chicago in bike accidents within 5 years. Objectives like these certainly fall under Chicago architect Daniel Burnham's advice of "Make no little plans."

Statistics compiled by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) show that in 2009 2650 out of the total reported bicycle accidents statewide of 3255 occurred in the Northeastern region of the state. 11 out of the 20 statewide fatalities occurred in NE Illinois. In 2010, 2922 out of the 3599 total reported crashes statewide occurred in NE region. Of the 24 total fatalities, 17 were in NE Illinois, accounting for 70% of the state total. NE Illinois also accounts for 65% of the state’s total population.  

The analysis can be further condensed by comparing how the City of Chicago fares with the rest of the NE region, which includes the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. In 2009, Chicago accounted for 1460 of the 2650 bike accidents in the combined NE region. In 2010, Chicago accounted for 1625 of the 2922 total reported bike accidents. Such numbers would seem obvious given the high population density of Chicago in comparison to the other areas of NE Illinois.  

However, what is interesting to note is that the total number of fatalities from bike accidents in Chicago, given the higher population density, accounts for at most 45% of the region’s total for the years 2009-2010.  For example, in suburban Cook County, 8 fatalities from bike accidents occurred in 2010 (Chicago accounted for 5 out of the region’s total of 17). A possible answer for Chicago’s relatively low fatality rate could be partly due to a  better designed network of bicycle lanes afforded by the city’s landscape as opposed to the more sprawling landscapes found in suburban areas. But there is always room for improvement and it is admirably captured in the action agenda: “every life lost is one too many.”  

And while Chicago Forward reports that roughly 1% of Chicago’s population commutes by bicycle, that percentage will increase given proper execution upon the high aims outlined by Mayor Emanuel and the Chicago Department of Transportation. For more information on how the city hopes to become a safer place for all its locomotive citizens, you can read up on the action agenda here.

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 emails and phone calls are returned promptly. All initial consultations are confidential and free and the attorneys are available to come to your home or work to meet with you. 

*The post on www.IllinoisBicycleLaw was written with the research and assistance of Paul Min, Legal Intern at Keating Law Offices. 

Judgment Entered for Bicyclist Doored by Cab on Halsted Street

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have obtained a judgment for a Chicago-area bicyclist who was doored by a taxi cab in October of 2010. The bicycle accident occurred on Halsted Street near its intersection with Division in Chicago. Halsted Street has a bike lane on either side. The incident occurred as the bicyclist was traveling southbound in the bike lane on Halsted. The taxi cab initially passed the bicyclist on southbound Halsted and then pulled into a parallel parking spot in front of a cab stand. In spite of the fact the taxi cab just passed the bicyclist, the cab driver threw open the cab door just as the bicyclist went past. The bike accident occurred when the bicyclist had zero opportunity to stop or avoid the door and a collision occurred.

As a result of this "dooring," the bicyclist was thrown over her handlebars and landed face first on the street. This severe impact caused the bicyclist to suffer "road rash" to her face and knock a tooth loose. The tooth was ultimately replaced by an orthodontist. The impact also caused a nerve injury to the bicyclist's arm.

The attorneys at Keating Law Offices filed suit against the cab company and served them with the lawsuit. Despite several opportunties to enter the case, the cab company never did and the judge handling the case held them in default. A "prove-up" where the attorney and the injured bicyclist explained the injuries and expenses to the trial court was held and a judgment was entered in favor of the bicyclist.

The attorneys at Keating Law Offices have the trial experience to handle practically any case related to a bicycle crash or accident. 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.

The Importance of Attending Traffic Court to Testify

Yesterday I accompanied my client to traffic court at the Daley Center to support him in testifying against the driver that hit the client while he was riding his bike in April. The driver, who we allege caused the bicycle accident earlier this spring at the intersection of Roosevelt and Canal in Chicago, was ticketed at the scene.

Fast forward a couple of months and the traffic court hearing for the traffic ticket issued to the driver was set for yesterday. The case where the municipality (city) or state prosecute a driver for a ticket for a violation of a Rule of the Road that result in a bike accident is essentially a criminal matter. While we often don't think of a person that gets a traffic ticket as a "criminal," the bottom line is there was a law in place and they broke it. While often there isn't any criminal intent like we find in more severe crimes, the point is that it is a relatively serious matter.

This is the first reason I encourage all of my clients to attend traffic court and be available as a "complaining witness." As a lawyer that handles a lot of civil cases stemming from bicycle accidents, I think it is very important that these cases be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The fact of the matter is in a busy traffic courtroom, if the police officer or complaining witness aren't available, the case is usually dismissed.

The second reason I encourage my clients to attend traffic court is that by their being there the offending driver may realize that there is a strong case against them and choose to plead guilty. In this event, as the attorney in the civil case for the bicyclist's personal injuries sustained in the accident, I can use the guilty plea in the criminal case as an admission of guilt. Contrarily if the criminal case is dismissed or even if the offending driver is found guilty, those results in the criminal case can't be used in the personal injury case against the driver.

The bottom line is that I view the relationship with my clients in someways as a "team." I'm there to support my clients in any way I can to help them deal with the aftermath of getting injured in a bike accident because of some driver's mistake. Whether its assisting in the criminal case or doing everything I can in the civil case, I always "push" the case.

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.

Chicago's Bike to Work Week Rally a Huge Success

It was great to see so many riders out at Daley Plaza for Chicago's Bike to Work Week. Fortunately it was a beautiful summer morning and the turnout was great. Also great was seeing so many friends from Chicago's bicycling community.

I was there saying hi and handing out stickers and patches for the Chicago Bicycling Flag. If I missed you, just send us an email with your name and address and we can send some out to you. Ride Safe!

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.

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices are a leading firm of trial lawyers that devote a significant portion of their practice to representing victims of bicycle accidents in Chicago and throughout Illinois. Attorney Michael Keating was recently named to Chicago and SuperLawyers magazines list of "Rising Stars" and was named by the National Trial Lawyers Association as one of the top young lawyers in all of Illinois. He is also a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers legislative committee.

How (and Why) Mike Keating Became a "Bike Lawyer"

Attorney Mike Keating

I'm often asked how I became a trial lawyer that represents people injured in bicycle accidents. My answer is that I was obsessed with bikes long before I was ever a lawyer. Bikes have been a constant in my entire life and that just continued into my career as a trial lawyer. To this day I still ride one of my bikes almost every day. The picture to the left is me on my commuter bike that I ride to the Metra train in Evanston every work day.

When I started my career as a trial lawyer I noticed a trend of clients who were injured in bicycle accidents that other attorneys didn't want to handle. These other attorneys didn't want the cases for the same reason a lot of people are unfortunately prejudiced against bicycles; they didn't think cars should share the road with bikes. However, I had two advantages as a trial lawyer that these other lawyers didn't have.

The first advantage was I had ridden all my life and still rode. I rode to class throughout law school at DePaul and typically rode to work in the Loop. I knew first hand what it was like to ride in Chicago. I knew the feeling and sensation of riding in rush hour when all your senses are alert. I understood the "flow" of traffic. And I knew the adrenaline rush that surges when an accident seems imminent. These experiences gave me valuable insight into the cases for my clients who were injured in a bike accident.

The second advantage was when I started as a trial lawyer I had just finished working in Springfield as the Assistant Counsel to the Illinois House of Representatives. During this time I learned the inner workings of the legislative process and had a chance to delve into all of the Illinois statutes regarding bikes. And I mean ALL of them. I would personally call about any bill that I thought was good for Illinois' burgeoning pro-bicycle agenda. Those days were long and the nights were longer, but it was there I learned how a clear, reasonable message could gain traction and even the smallest changes to transportation law could lead to big changes for bicyclists in Illinois. 

Soon thereafter I began working as a trial attorney at a prestigious personal injury firm in Chicago. This is when I had the chance to put what I knew from riding my entire life and my stint in Springfield to work. Armed with a unique combination of an intricate knowledge of transportation law and policy and the chance to work as a trial attorney I truly was able to "fight" for my clients. By then I also had the experience to volunteer my services as a pro bono lobbyist for bicycle advocacy groups in Illinois.

Not long after I started practicing as a trial lawyer, word spread that I was a "go to" guy for bike accident cases. Soon after that I launched www.IllinoisBicycleLaw.com. It has been a sincere privilege and an honor to have seen the influence of this blog grow and to have a positive impact on people's lives. The best part of it all is that I am more engaged and passionate than ever about bikes and bicycling advocacy. And now that I've seen that my two-year old daughter (pictured above) has her "Dada's" love of wheels and motion in her D.N.A., I'm reminded that my work trying to make Illinois safer for bikes is well worth it.

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The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices are a leading firm of trial lawyers that devote a significant portion of their practice to representing victims of bicycle accidents. Attorney Michael Keating was recently named to Chicago and SuperLawyers magazines list of "Rising Stars" and was named by the National Trial Lawyers Association as one of the top young lawyers in all of Illinois. He is also a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers legislative committee.

If you have any questions regarding this post, please contact the Illinois Bicycle Attorneys 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 legal consultations are confidential and free.

UPDATED 5 Key Steps to Follow After a Bicycle Accident

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices devote a substantial part of their practice to representing victims of bicycle accidents. One of the first things the firm’s attorneys do when they are contacted by a client who was in a bicycle accident is to try and find out as much information as they can about the case. 

In the years Keating Law Offices has been handling personal injury cases from bicycle accidents, there are five key tips that an injured bicyclist MUST follow after getting injured as a result of a bicycle accident. This is an expanded checklist from ones we've posted before on www.IllinoisBicycleLaw.com. These 5 Steps to Follow If You Are Injured in A Bicycle Accident are as follows:

1. Get Medical Attention: What may seem like an obvious thing, unfortunately often isn’t. Many bicyclists are strong willed, independent, tough people. This often leads to a mistaken belief that they can “shake off” an injury or will “heal on their own.” This isn’t always the case, and there’s a reason doctors go to medical school. Seemingly small injuries from a bicycle accident may be much worse than they appear. When in doubt, call an ambulance or go to the ER and get checked out. Remember that your well being is more important than anything else.

2. Contact the Police: Call 911 if necessary and complete a police report at the scene or the police station. In Illinois the police will usually give you an “Illinois Motorist Report.” It is a white piece of paper with red ink (a picture of one is at the top-left of this post). Even thought a bicycle is obviously not motorized, this is the document that is routinely used involving any vehicle collision or crash. Follow the instructions on the document and complete it as best you can. The police report is often a critical piece of evidence in a civil action stemming from a bike accident. Contact the Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices if you have any questions about this process.

3. Collect Information: Get the name, address, phone number and license plate of the driver as well as the names and phone numbers of any witnesses to the bike accident. Be aware that in Chicago many drivers can be tricky and know to give fake names and bad phone numbers. So get as much information as possible.

4. Collect Evidence: Get digital pictures of the scene, your bike, the license plate on your car and your injuries. In this day and age of cell phones equipped with very good digital cameras there is no reason not to substantially photograph as much evidence as possible. Also keep a record of the medical treatment you received and your medical recovery. A good idea is to get a large envelope or folder and throw all your medical information in there. That way you’ll know where the medical documents are when you need them.

5. Get Legal Advice: Keating Law Offices provides free initial consultations with no obligation. In some instances the firm will even provide a case investigation of the bicycle accident at no cost to the client at the onset of the case. Many cases can be resolved without going to court. It is important that you pursue your rights under the law. There are never any legal fees owed to Keating Law Offices unless the firm successfully resolves the case through settlement or trial.

If you have any questions regarding this post, a bicycle accident, 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 Rear-Ended Champaign Bicyclist

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have been retained to represent a Champaign, Illinois bicyclist who was rear-ended at a red light. The bike acccident occurred in August of 2011 just after 5pm.While this may sound like a simple case, it becomes quite interesting when considering the following facts: 1) the bicyclist was wearing a yellow safety vest; 2) the bicyclist had not one but two flashing rear lights; and 3) it was still light out at that time of the evening in August.

The motorist was ticketed at the scene for failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision under Section 625 ILCS 5/11-601 of the Illinois Motor Vehicle Code. 

The bicyclist suffered multiple injuries, including the aggravation of a pre-existing medical condition. In Illinois, the aggravation of a pre-existing medical condition is the same as causing a new injury.  According to Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction (IPI) 30.03, the "aggravation of any pre-existing ailment or condition" is an element of compensable damages. If this case goes to trial, the bicycle law attorneys at Keating Law Offices will be able to argue that not only is the car driver responsible for new injuries, but also that the car driver who caused this bike accident is responsible for the aggravated "old" injuries.

The Illinois Bicycle Attorney at Keating Law Offices have handled cases in literally every corner of the State of Illinois. Attorney Mike Keating is also licensed to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. This covers most of the southeastern portion of Wisconsin containing Milwaukee and its suburbs. 

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.

Lawsuit Filed in Hit-and-Run "Right Hook" Case

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The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County against the owners of an SUV involved in a hit-and-run on Chicago's North Side. The bicyclist injured in the bicycle accident was riding along Racine Avenue near its intersection with Diversey. At the same time, the SUV was traveling alongside the bicyclist and made a right turn immediately into the path of the bicyclist causing a bicycle crash. This is known as a "right hook" bicycle accident.The bicyclist suffered a torn rotator cuff which required extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

The driver of the SUV then fled the scene. However, the bicyclist was able to get a license plate and give that information to the Chicago Police Department who tracked down the owners of the SUV. The bicyclist's quick thinking in this case gave the police and then his attorney and opportunity to pursue justice. It is a reminder to ALWAYS get a license plate, make and model of vehicle, name of driver (if possible), insurance information, phone numbers, and any other information possible. At a minimum, snap a picture of the license plate of the vehicle's license plate with your cellphone camera.

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.

Bicycling Magazine Names Chicago 5th Best Bike City in America

Bicycling Magazine has issued a press release naming the 50 Best Bike Cities in America and has put Chicago as #5 on the list. Chicago trails only  Portland, Minneapolis, Boulder and Washington D.C. on the list. Bicycling Magazine pointed to Chicago's new bike-share program. Bicycling Magazine concluded that:

"Chicago experienced a significant boost from new bike-share programs, which have proved transformative in creating a stronger cycling culture and increasing the number of cyclists"

I respectfully disagree with Bicycling Magazine on this analysis. While the bike sharing program has been great  (it made bicycling more accessible and put more bikes on the road) it was only one part of Chicago's continued ascendency in best biking cities. To me the two factors that lead to a Chicago being such a strong city for bicycling is that 1) there is a strong culture of bicycling and 2) the City of Chicago itself has made a substantial commitment to making the city accessible by bike. These two factors combine to make a recipe for Chicago being so great for biking.

But as with many successes, there is a downside. The increase in the number of bicyclists on Chicago's roadways has also led to an increase in the number of injuries and fatalities from bicycling related accidents and collisions. The attorneys at Keating Law Offices have seen first hand the result of these accidents and crashes have on bicyclists and are committed to representing those injured in a bike accident or bike crash in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs.

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.

5 Steps to Follow After A Bicycle Accident or Collision

These are the 5 key tips that any injured bicyclist MUST follow after getting injured as a result of a bicycle accident or collision. These tips are permanently posted at www.ILBicycleLaw.com, but with riding season in full bloom, these 5 key tips are worth repeating:

1. Get Medical Attention: When in doubt, call an ambulance or go to the ER. Seemingly small injuries may be much worse than they appear.

2. Contact the Police: Call 911 if necessary and complete a police report at the scene or the police station. The police report is often a critical piece of evidence in a civil action.

3. Collect Information: Get the name, address, phone number and license plate of the driver as well as the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

4. Collect Evidence: Get digital pictures of the scene, your bike, and your injuries. Also keep a record of the medical treatment you received and your medical recovery.

5. Get Legal Advice: Keating Law Offices provides free initial consultations with no obligation. Many cases can be resolved without going to court. It is important that you pursue your rights 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.

Keating Law Offices Retained to Represent Injured Hyde Park Bicyclist

The Illinois Bicycle Law trial attorneys at Keating Law Offices have been retained to represent a Hyde Park man who was injured while riding his bike in the Hyde Park neighborhood on Chicago's South Side.

The bicyclist was injured when he was struck by a motorist on May 1st while riding at 55th and Lake Park on the South Side. This neighborhood has a large number of bicyclists primarily due to its proximity to the University of Chicago's main campus. In addition, the neighborhood is close to the lakefront path and the Museum of Science and Industry. Most recently, the neighborhood's fame has increased due to its proximity to the home of President Barack Obama.

The client is a native of Hyde Park and was struck only blocks from his home while on his way to work. He was taken from the scene by ambulance to the University of Chicago Hospital where he was treated and released. The bicyclist now faces follow-up medical treatment. Based on Keating Law Offices' review of the Illinois Motorist Report, it appears the investigating Chicago Police Officer concluded that the motorist was responsible for the collision. Keating Law Offices has already ordered an official copy of the police report, the ambulance report, and the medical records from University of Chicago Hospital. The firm has also contacted GEICO insurance company which insures the offending motorist.

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.