Another Bicyclist Injured Near Chicago's "Most Crash-Prone" Intersection

Milwaukee, Ogden and Chicago

Another Chicago bicyclist has been injured near the intersection of North Milwaukee Avenue and Odgen Avenue.  At around 6:30 p.m. on April 5th a 41 year old male cyclist was struck by a left turning motorist as he rode northbound in the Milwaukee Avenue bike lane, about 30 feet south of the intersection with Ogden.  Northbound traffic was backed up in the main travel lane when the driver of a southbound 1999 Nissen turned left, squeezing between northbound traffic, to enter the parking lot of the CVS Pharmacy located at the intersection.  When she did she slammed into the left side of the cyclist throwing him onto the hood of the vehicle, then to the street where he suffered a fractured rib.  The cyclist was wearing a helmet and his bike was properly equipped with an operating headlamp.

My law firm has been retained to represent the injured cyclist. Initially, the driver stopped and apologized for striking him.  She offered her name, address and telephone number.  However, she refused to provide him with auto insurance information and left the scene when he pressed her for it.  We are in the process of tracking her down.

The intersection of Milwaukee and Ogden, which is also intersected by Chicago Avenue, is generally considered one of the most treacherous in Chicago.  At the same time, it is a part of the busiest corridor for cyclists, especially bicycle commuters, in the city.  A investigative piece appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times in September, 2012 called that intersection "the most crash-prone" in the city.  The article noted 38 crashes between motorists and cyclists or pedestrians between 2005 and 2010.  Streetsblog writer and bicycle advocate Steven Vance has also documented how crash prone the intersection is.  I have personally represented several cyclist injured at that intersection.  

Settlement Reached In Case Of Bicyclist Hit By Van On Milwaukee Avenue

Deposited into a puddle of mud with a ruptured spleen after being hit by a van while riding on Milwaukee Avenue, August 22, 2011 was a very bad day for one 24 year old female bicyclist.  Yesterday a measure of justice of achieved against the driver of the van that struck her.  My law firm represented the bicyclist and successfully resolved the claim against the driver and his employer for a significant sum.

At 8:00 a.m. last August 22nd, the bicyclist was riding to work southbound in the dedicated bicycle lane on Milwaukee at the intersection of Ogden Avenue.  The light was green and she proceeded straight ahead.  At the same time a 2005 Ford Econoline van, traveling northbound on Milwaukee, abruptly attempted a left turn onto Ogden.  Apparently not seeing the cyclist, who had the right of way, the driver crashed into her with significant force.  The impact threw her off of her bike and into a puddle of mud along the roadside. With a ruptured spleen and sprained wrist she was taken via ambulance to Rush University Medical Center for care and treatment.

Thankfully, the woman has recovered completely from her injuries.

Female Bicyclist Suffers Ruptured Spleen Following Crash With Van On Milwaukee Avenue

A female bicyclist suffered a ruptured spleen after being struck by a 2005 Ford Econoline van at the intersection of North Milwaukee Avenue and North Ogden Avenue in Chicago on August 22nd.  The crash occurred at around 8:00 a.m. as the 24 year old cyclist was on her way to work.  The bicyclist was riding southbound in the bike lane on Milwaukee when she was suddenly "t-boned" by the left turning van.  Both vehicles had a green light, but under Illinois law the straight-ahead cyclist had the right of way at the time of the crash.  Immediately following the crash she was taken to Rush University Medical Center via ambulance.  She remains in treatment.  Our law firm is representing the bicyclist.