Bike Attorney Mike Keating Appears on "Road Is Dead Podcast" to Discuss Bicycle Law

Keating Law Offices attorney Mike Keating recently appeared on the "Road is Dead" podcast to discuss legal issues surrounding bicycling. The "Road is Dead" podcast is hosted by Rob Curtis and Anthony Mikos of the Psimet Custom Wheels company and is recorded at their bike and coffee shop in Dundee, Illinois right on the banks of the Fox River. 

"The Law Episode" included fellow bicycle law attorneys Jessica Cutler from Washington state as well as Arley Kemmerer and Joe Piscitello of Piscitello Law in Philadelphia. Topics included what to do when you've been involved in a bike crash, the number of bicycle crashes and actions bicyclists can take to protect themselves when riding.  

Attorney Mike Keating of Keating Law Offices is frequently interviewed regarding legal issues surrounding bicycling. Earlier this year he participated in a CBS News Chicago story on the dangers of being doored in Chicago and the new efforts in Illinois to promote the use of the "Dutch Reach" by motorists. Mike has also appeared live on WGN News and was the focus of a 2016 CBS New Chicago story about the dangers facing cyclists. 

In addition, Mike Keating has written extensively on legal issues facing cyclists. His 2018 article on the risks posed to bicyclists injured using bike share bicycles entitled "Bike Share Roadblocks" was published in Trial Magazine which is a national magazine for trial lawyers. Mike's article "Bicycling In An Automobile's World" about the disparity between bicycle and motor vehicle infrastructure was also in Trial Magazine in 2016. The Illinois Trial Lawyers Association's Trial Journal published his article entitled "The Wheels of Change Keep Turning: Why The Popularity of Bicycling in Illinois Has Rendered Illinois Law Irrelevant" about why Illinois needs to take greater efforts to protect the growing number of bicyclists in the state.  

Mike Keating is nationally recognized as a leader in bicycle law litigation. He is the long standing Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Committee for the American Association for Justice and serves on the Board of Managers for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. 

Attorney Mike Keating Presents to Illinois Trial Lawyers Association on Bike Law

Bicycle Law Attorney Mike Keating

Attorney Mike Keating of Keating Law Offices was honored to be chosen as a speaker at a recent Continuing Legal Education Seminar provided by the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Mike Keating discussed recent trends in Illinois bicycle law including the recent changes to the Illinois Vehicle Code as a part of "Dennis's Law."

The legal changes in "Dennis's Law" were made in the aftermath of the dismissal of charges against the driver involved in the death of Dennis Jurs because the judge argued that some legal cases in Illinois created a precedent that a bicycle is not a "vehicle" in Illinois and therefore a bicyclist was not entitled to the right of way. In addition, Mike Keating's presentation focused on ridership trends, increases in bicycling injuries and deaths, and what the trial lawyer bar can continue to do to advocate for victims of bicycle accidents in Chicago and throughout Illinois.

Attorney Mike Keating is a member of the Board of Managers for the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. He is a leading bicycle litigation attorney and advocate for bicyclists' rights and safe cycling. He currently serves as the Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Committee for the American Association for Justice, the nation's largest trial lawyers group. 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.

Need A FREE Stocking Stuffer For The Bicyclist In Your Life?

Chicago Bike Flag stickers and patches and the popular "Share The Road Bumper Stickers" from the Illinois Bicycle Law Attorneys at Keating Law Offices make great stocking stuffers for the bicyclist in your life. And best of all they are FREE to Illinois bicyclists!

How To Get The Chicago Bike Flag Or A Bumper Sticker

All you need to do to get a Chicago Bike Flag sticker or patch or the Share the Road bumper stickers is to email your mailing address to ChicagoBikeFlag@KeatingLegal.com. In the email simply let us know what items you would like and we will mail them out absolutely free of charge. We will do our best to get them out in time for Christmas.

Illinois Bicycle Lawyers At Keating Law Offices 

Keating Law Offices is the premiere personal injury law firm representing victims of bicycle accidents in Illinois. The firm works as attorneys and advocates who have been injured in a bicycle accident or crash. 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.

Victim of Dooring on Milwaukee Avenue Receives $60,000.00 Settlement

A Chicago bicyclist who was doored on North Milwaukee Avenue in April of 2015 has received a $60,000.00 settlement from the insurance company for the driver that caused her injuries. The dooring occurred as the bicyclist was riding north on North Milwaukee Avenue towards its intersection with West Haddon Avenue in West Town. At the same time the driver had just parked her vehicle on Milwaukee Avenue. Without looking, the motorist unfortunately made the regrettable decision to swing her driver’s door open into the designated bike lane on Milwaukee Avenue where the bicyclist was unable to avoid the collision. 

Chicago Bicycle Laws Outlaw Doorings

It is troubling that bicycle accidents from doorings still occur in areas like West Town where there are designated bike lanes and consistent bicycle traffic. The law in Illinois generally and Chicago specifically make the act of dooring illegal. Section 11-1407 of the Illinois Vehicle Code and Section 9-80-035 of Municipal Code of Chicago address this issue with the same statutory language:

"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."

Common Injuries In Bicycle Crashes

As with almost all doorings, this one could have been avoided had the driver simply checked over her shoulder and her mirror and looked for bicycles that could be expected down the dedicated bike lane. This seemingly simple failure resulted in a serious injury to a young professional who ended up with a broken collarbone, a pile of medical bills and missed time from work. This insurance settlement for the bicycle accident will fairly compensates the bicyclist for her medical bills and missed time from work and also compensates her for the pain and suffering she went through while recovering from her injuries. Fortunately the bicyclist did not have to undergo surgery for her fractured collarbone and healed with rest and some physical therapy. Due to this she will be able to use most of her settlement towards getting back to her life and putting this event behind her. 

Bicycle Accident Lawyers

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, it is important that your get as much information as possible right away regarding your legal options. 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.

Active Transportation Alliance's "Bikeways for All Plan" Would Reduce Bicycle Crashes

The Active Transportation Alliance has issued a vision for bikeways in Chicago entitled "Bikeways for All." This plan for bicycling in Chicago is focused on increasing the number of bike routes available to citizens throughout Chicago. The plan also aims to increase the equitable and fair distribution of bikeways in the city to all parts of Chicago. Overall, the plan focuses on maintaining Chicago's rapid increase in bicycling by providing new bike routes that are "low stress" and comfortable for riders of all ability levels. "Low stress" includes bike routes that are consistent and reliable in providing safe routes throughout Chicago.

Active Transportation Alliance's Bikeways For All Plan

In the PDF detailing the plan, ActiveTrans summarizes "Bikeways for All":

"Bikeways for All proposes 180 miles of new low-stress biking routes that prioritize three types of facilities: Protected Bike Lanes, Neighborhood Greenways and Urban Trails. We envision 100 additional miles of these new Protected Bike Lanes and Neighborhood Greenways by 2020 as well as concrete progress on urban trail projects."

The Chicago Tribune also published an excellent article detailing the event and provides a solid summary of the Bikeways for All plan:

"The report urged the Emanuel administration to commit to building 100 miles of the 180 miles by 2020. The 100 miles would consist of physically protected bike lanes; marked bike lanes on low-traffic, low-speed residential streets that connect to stores, parks, schools and public transit; and off-street "urban trails'' along the lakefront, the Chicago River and abandoned rail lines patterned after The 606, which opened this year and runs through Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square and Humboldt Park."

Bikeways For All Could Help Reduce Bicycle Crashes In Chicago

A direct result of a progressive, forward-thinking plan like "Bikeways or All" will also lead to fewer bicycle crashes in Chicago. As attorneys who focus our practice on representing victims of bicycle accidents, there are certain "common denominators" we see in most cases. Far and away, the failure of the driver to pay attention (keep a proper lookout) and congestion are two common factors in bicycle accidents. A bikeway of any kind serves to mitigate against the potential threat of these two factors.

First, a bikeway serves as a "warning" in the same way a stop sign does. When a driver sees clearly marked and delineated roadway markings for a bike lane and signs indicated the presence of bicyclists this serves as a "warning" to motorists to be aware that bicyclists could be present on the roadway. This awareness fights against the common refrain from motorists that the "bicyclist came out of nowhere." The bicyclist didn't come out of thin air, most likely the motorist simply did not appreciate that bicyclist would be on the roadway and their "surprise" is just from a lack of awareness.

Secondly, bikeways help reduce congestion by getting people out of their cars and onto bicycles. As noted in the report, since 2000 the number of trips by bicycle in Chicago has tripled. More trips on bikes means fewer trips by motorized vehicles. Bikeways also streamline bicycle traffic into prescribed patterns that are more efficient. The net result is that bicycles on bikeways are on a dedicated space where the bicyclist is most safe. Protected bike lanes, in particular, provide a clear area for bicyclists. But overall any type of bikeway will result in a bicyclist being more comfortable on their ride.

This latest plan by the Active Transportation Alliance is another example of the strong leadership this advocacy organization exhibits. We applaud Active Trans on its continued great work.

Chicago Bicycle Attorneys and Advocates

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." 

5 Questions To Ask A Bicycle Attorney After A Bike Crash

The Illinois Bicycle Law Shield

As an Illinois bicycle attorney that handles a large caseload of personal injury cases that stem from bicycle crashes or collisions, I'm asked a large variety of questions by clients. I often tell clients about the questions I would ask if I was "on the other side of the desk" and looking for an attorney to represent me. 

Here are the 5 Questions I would ask an attorney before retaining them in a personal injury case stemming from a bicycle accident:

1. How long have you been practicing in the field of personal injury law? The attorneys at Keating Law Offices have years of experience handling personal injury cases, specifically bicycle-related cases. No two cases are the same, and having a wealth of experience to rely on is often the key to a successful resolution to a case.
2. If necessary, are you prepared to take my case to trial? Many attorneys who hold themselves out as "trial lawyers" rarely, if ever, take their cases to trial. Attorney Mike Keating has repeatedly been named a "Rising Star" by Illinois Super Lawyers and Chicago magazines, has a perfect "10/10 Rating" on AVVO, and also named to the "Top 40 Under 40" list of top young trial attorneys for his record of winning at trial. He also is the Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Committee for the national trial lawyers organization.
3. Are you familiar with the traffic laws for bicyclists? In the past few years Illinois and many of the municipalities, especially the City of Chicago, have enacted new laws that directly impact bicyclists. Attorney Mike Keating has directly lobbied local and state governments as an advocate for bicyclists' rights. As a member of the Illinois Trial Lawyers' Associations' Legislative Committee, Attorney Keating ensured that there is always a voice for injured cyclists within the organization.
4. Do you specialize in personal injury? Again, while many attorneys may work on some personal injury cases, the attorneys at Keating Law Offices only work on personal injury cases and regularly participate in the litigation of our cases in courtrooms throughout Illinois.
5. Do you ride a bike? What may sound like a silly question is actually very important. Only riders know what it feels like to ride in a crowded urban or suburban environment. An understanding of the "ins and outs" of bike riding can make the difference in successfully handling a case. This question can also let you know whether the attorney is sincere about advocating for bicyclists' rights.

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.

Claim for Chicago Bicyclist Struck by Driver Who Ran Red Light at 6 Corners Settled for Policy Limits

View of Westbound Irving Park Road at Chicago's "Six Corners Intersection"

One of the most fundamental rules of driving is that when a traffic light is red, you stop and wait until it turns green before proceeding through an intersection. One Chicago driver's failure to follow this basic rule at the "Six Corners" intersection led to a bicycle crash that severely injured a Chicago bicyclist.

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers at Keating Law Offices have secured a financial settlement for the Chicago bicyclist who sustained gruesome facial lacerations after being struck by the motorist. The bicycle accident occurred at the intersection of Irving Park Road and Cicero Avenue in September of 2013.

The collision occurred at Chicago's "Six Corners" in Portage Park, which is the well known intersection of three major streets: Milwaukee Avenue, Cicero Avenue and Irving Park Road. At the time of the bicycle accident, the bicyclist was traveling westbound through the intersection of Irving Park Road and Cicero Avenue when the motorist, driving on Cicero Avenue, ran the intersection’s red light. The motorist first struck the bicyclist and his bicycle which caused to bicyclist to be ejected from his bicycle onto the hood of the car. The motorist then slammed on his brakes and this caused the bicyclist to be thrown to the pavement.

The bicyclist landed directly on the side of his face. According to medical reports, the bicyclist’s face was bleeding uncontrollably as he laid in the street in excruciating pain. He ultimately suffered a deep facial laceration that required a row of 4 stitches as well as a head injury, hip contusion and knee abrasion.

Liability, the legal term for who "caused" a bicycle crash that resulted in injuries, was clear in this matter. According to Section 11-305 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, a driver of any vehicle must obey the instructions of any official traffic-control device. It may seem obvious that the law requires motorists to abide by traffic signals. But, this collision could have easily been prevented if the motorist did just that…simply stopped at the red stoplight.

The Illinois Bicycle Lawyers made a claim with the motorist’s insurance provider for the bicyclist’s “elements of damages.” As we have mentioned in previous blog posts, “elements of damages” are the different categories of a claim that make up a claim.In this case, claims were made for the bicyclist’s personal injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of a normal life as well as disfigurement.

“Disfigurement” is a compensable damage in Illinois, meaning it is something that is part of an insurance claim or a lawsuit in court. Disfigurement is defined in the law as “the permanent change in a person’s body that impairs the beauty, symmetry, and appearance.” Under Illinois law, anyone “disfigured” as a result of someone else’s negligence is eligible for compensation for their permanent impairment. “Disfigurement” varies from person to person and case to case. Here, the bicyclist sustained the laceration on his head that resulted in a permanent scar.

As a result, Keating Law Offices attained a settlement where the motorist’s insurance company tendered its full policy limits for this bicyclist and his disfigurements. This settlement was made without requiring filing a lawsuit. This is what is known as an "out of court settlement" and was made possible when our bike attorneys forced the insurance company to pay every penny of the applicable insurance policy.

Keating Law Offices are a Chicago-based law firm that represents injured bicyclists throughout Illinois. The firm is a national leader in the field of bicycle-related litigation. If you have any questions regarding this post or an issue involving Illinois personal injury law, please contact the Illinois Bicycle Attorneys at Keating Law Offices at 312-239-6787or 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 and there is never any cost to the client unless we win.

Illinois Bicycle Lawyer Mike Keating Named a "SuperLawyer" for the 5th Straight Year

Keating Law Offices attorney Michael S. Keating has been named a "Rising Star" by SuperLawyers Magazine. Only 2.5% of Illinois attorneys receive the “Rising Stars” honor and are recognized by Super Lawyers magazine each year. Attorney Keating has now been named a "Rising Star" in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

In order to become part of this prestigious list, all attorneys go through the Rising Stars selection process. SuperLawyers magazine invites Illinois lawyers once a year to nominate the top attorneys they have personally observed in action while an attorney-led research team searches for lawyers who have a high degree of professional competence.

SuperLawyers research team then evaluates each candidate based on the following 12 indicators: verdicts and settlements; transactions; representative clients; experience; honors and awards; special licenses and certifications; position within the law firm; bar and or other professional activity; pro bono and community service as a lawyer; scholarly lectures and writings; education and employment background; and other outstanding achievements.

Based on these 12 indicators and final selection by SuperLawyers team, Attorney Michael Keating was selected. He believes that he has a responsibility to his community, which is why he is a member of the Illinois State Bar Association, the Chicago Bar Association, the Chicago Area Runners Association, and the Active Transportation Alliance.

Attorney Keating leads the Keating Law Offices team with the upmost dedication, rigor and passion to pursue justice for individuals and families whose lives have been affected by the negligence of others. Keating Law Offices concentrates its practice on personal injury, medical malpractice, bicycle and other transportation negligence, premises liability, products liability, and nursing home negligence and abuse cases. The firm has successfully represented clients throughout Illinois since 2008.

Mike Keating also serves as the Chair of the Bicycle Litigation Group for the American Association for Justice, the national trial lawyers organization. He is one of the youngest committee chairs in the entire United States.