Chicago Injury Attorney Blog

An Illinois mother is suing a woman for her son’s bicycle accident injuries. Becky Eaves is seeking a judgment of over $50,000 plus costs from Tina Marie Slemer.

In her Illinois injuries to minors lawsuit, Eaves says that her son, Samuel D. Eaves, sustained injuries to his cervical and lumbar area and lower extremities when he was hit by a car driven by Slemer on May 17, 2007 while he was in a crosswalk in Collinsville. As a result of the Illinois bicycle accident, Eaves says that her son was made sore, sick, lame, disabled, and disordered, which has caused him pain and suffering.

Eaves is accusing Slemer of negligent driving, failing to keep a proper look out, neglecting to properly apply her brakes, failing to yield the right-of-way, driving too fast, and neglecting to exercise due care toward pedestrians.

Child Bicycle Accident Facts
According to findings issued in 2007 by the researchers from the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital:

• Over half of the 85 million US bicycle riders are under age 20.
• More kids end up in hospital emergencies for injuries that they sustained while riding bicycles than for any other recreational sport.
• Motor vehicles are a factor in about 30% of bicycle-related injuries resulting in hospital visits.
• Bicycle injuries sustained by adolescents and children generate about $200 million in hospital inpatient visits.
• 1/3rd of kids that are admitted to hospitals for bicycle injuries sustained traumatic brain injuries.
• Use of a bicycle helmet can decrease the chances of a TBI by up to 85%.

Boy hit on bike in Collinsville claims injuries in suit, The Record, June 9, 2009

Pediatric Bicycle-related Injuries Result in Nearly $200 Million in Hospital Charges Annually, Newswise.com, October 15, 2007

Related Web Resources:
Bicycle Safety, Illinois State Police

Illinois Bicycle Safety Tips and Laws

In Chicago, Evanston, Peoria, and other cities throughout Illinois and the US, bicyclists cycled during a “Ride of Silence” on Wednesday night to remember fellow riders that were killed while riding their bicycles. The occasion is a global event, with bicycle riders participating in rides of silence that took place in 279 locations around the world.

Dozens of Chicago cyclists rode the 10-mile route beginning at Daley Plaza, passing the sites of 5 fatal bicycle accidents. Other Chicago area rides were organized in Evanston, Downer’s Grove, Arlington Heights, and Joliet.

In Evanston, some of the riders who took part in the event had survived their own bicycle accidents to ride again. Bill Rizel suffered a collapsed lung and fractured four ribs after a car hit him on December 2008. Another rider, Jerry Williams says he was involved in five bicycle accidents. One of the collisions left him unconscious for 10 days.

In Peoria, the children of Jesse “Jay” Jackson, who died in a 2006 Illinois bicycle accident that occurred close to Princeville, participated in the 10-mile loop. Like everyone else there, they had to obey all traffic laws, use a helmet, and cycle no faster than the speed limit maximum designated for the ride.

Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists are prone to serious injuries whenever they are involved in an Illinois traffic accident—especially if a car, a bus, or a large truck is involved. As an injured Chicago bicycle accident victim, you may be entitled to Illinois personal injury compensation.

Common Bicycle Accident Scenarios:
• A driver fails to yield, striking the bicyclist or turning in front of a bicyclist’s travel path.
• The bicyclist fails to yield and gets hit by a car.
• A driver fails to see the bicyclist.
• A bicyclist is struck by a motor vehicle from behind.
• A motorist opens the door of a parked car, striking the bicyclist.
• The bicyclist was driving at night without a headlight.

'Ride of Silence' commemorates fallen cyclists, The Daily Northwestern, May 21, 2009

Silent ride packs loud message, PJStar.com, May 20, 2009

Cyclists remember fallen riders, ABClocal.go.com, May 20, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Sharing The Road With Bicycles, SmartMotorist.com

Ride of Silence

NHTSA

Continue reading "Chicago Personal Injury Law Firm: Cyclists Killed in Illinois Bicycle Accidents Remembered During “Ride of Silence”" »

In Peoria, Illinois, a 41-year-old bicyclist died on February 2 after he was hit from behind by a van. Lyle E. Clark was pronounced dead at the crash scene.

Clark had been riding his bike on Illinois Route 9. The driver of the van, Ronald C. Swonger, says he hit an object on the road right after exiting the bridge onto the road. He says he did not realize he had hit Clark with his vehicle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for 2007:
• 698 pedalcyclists who were involved in US traffic crashes that year died.
• 40 is the average age of the pedalcyclists who died.
• 44,000 pedalcyclists were injured.
• 24 is the average age of the pedalcyclists who were injured.
• In Illinois, of the 1,249 traffic fatalities that took place that year, 18 of the victims were pedalcyclists.

Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists are at risk of sustaining serious injuries any time they are involved in a traffic accident. Bicyclists usually have only their protective gear and helmets to protect them from the impact of colliding with a car, a bus, a large truck, or a motorcycle.

If you are a Chicago bicyclist who was injured in an Illinois traffic accident because of a negligent motorist, you may have grounds for filling a bicycle accident claim against the liable party.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents:
• Driver inattention
• Drunk driving
• Speeding
• Bicyclist error
• Poor road conditions
• Motor vehicle defects

It is important that you work with an experienced Chicago bicycle accident lawyer who knows how to investigate the evidence from the accident site and assess the seriousness of your injuries.

Continue reading "Illinois Pedalcyclist Dies After Being Struck by Van" »