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| Protected bike lane at 18th and Wentworth in Chicago |
A 36 year old male cyclist was struck by a minivan and seriously hurt while riding in one of Chicago's new, protected bicycle lanes. The crash occurred on July 10th at around 8:50 a.m. The cyclist was riding his commuter bike eastbound in the 18th Street protected lane when the 23 year old driver of a Toyota minivan passed him in the main traffic lane then suddenly turned right in front of him at Wentworth Avenue. The intersection is uncontrolled. The cyclist could not avoid striking the front passenger side of the vehicle.
The crash sent the man hurling over the hood of the van and into the street where he landed on his hands and face. The heavy impact fractured his right arm and wrist, and broke one his front teeth. His arm remains in a cast. Because the break affects his wrist joint he is expected to need extensive physical therapy. He will also need a dental implant to replace his broken tooth.
Our law firm has been retained to represent the bicyclist in his claim against the driver.
This crash seems to be the result of simple inattention by the driver involved. The bike lane at 18th and Wentworth is protected by thin plastic bollards which warn drivers of the presence of the bike facility, but do not obscure vision into the bike lane. This particular lane is not protected by parked vehicles. Also, the cyclist's route was not controlled by a stop sign or traffic light. He did not anticipate a need to stop.
