Donation Fund Set Up For Doored Chicago Bicycle Messenger

A donation fund has been created to help defray the costs of the extensive medical treatment needed by Chicago bicyclist, Dustin Valenta, who was seriously injured on February 8th in Wicker Park. The fund was set up by Cut Cats, a bicycle messenger company for whom Mr. Valenta works.  Those wishing to contribute can do so here: http://www.gofundme.com/21raks.

Meanwhile, additional details have emerged regarding the crash itself which left Mr. Valenta with 23 broken ribs, a fractured shoulder and shattered the base of his skull.  According to a description of the crash posted on the GoFundMe website, the bicyclist was riding along the 1400 block of North Milwaukee Avenue when a motorist carelessly opened a vehicle door into his path.  Mr. Valenta crashed to the street where he was then run over by a truck.  He was wearing a helmet which, according to his doctors, may have saved his life.

Though details have been slow to emerge regarding this terrible event, those that have trickled out make the incident seem eerily familiar to another cycling tragedy which occurred in October in the Old Town neighborhood.  It involved a young attorney, Neill  Townsend, who was forced to swerve into the path of a truck in order to avoid a flung open door along North Wells Street.  Mr. Townsend was killed when the truck was unable to avoid him.

Bicyclist Struck By Impatient Motorist Receives Settlement

My law firm has successfully resolved the case of a bicyclist who was hit by an impatient motorist in Wicker Park in February.  The 44 year old male cyclist was riding home from work southbound in the dedicated bike lane on North Damen Avenue at around 6:20 p.m. when he was hit.  The driver was stopped in traffic along southbound Damen when, perhaps growing impatient with the congestion, he suddenly peeled-off to the right in an attempt to turn onto West Willow Street hitting the cyclist.  The motorist did not signal his impending maneuver and claims that he did not see the bicyclist who was riding with an operating light on the front of his bike and lights attached to his wheel valve stems.  Also in the SUV was the driver's wife and child.  They told the cyclist they were on their way to the United Center for an ice skating show.

Following the crash the bicyclist attempted to stand up but immediately realized that he could not bear weight with his left knee. He collapsed back to the ground.  We was stretchered into an ambulance and transported to Resurrection Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center nearby.  He was diagnosed with an avulsion of his left patella (knee cap).