Taxi Driver Flees Crash With Chicago Bicyclist, Later Pays

Tilek Tulemyshev in an
undated photo

A taxi driver who fled the scene after striking a Chicago bicyclist from behind in Wicker Park could not escape accountability.  The driver, Tilek Tulemyshev, and the cab company, Best Cab Corp, have paid $300,000 to the injured biker, a 33 year old airline attendant, following a lawsuit filed against them by FK Law.

On September 10, 2011 the female cyclist was riding northbound on North Damen Avenue with her husband and a friend.  When the three reached Damen's intersection with West Webster Avenue they stopped for a red light.  At the same time, Mr. Tulemyshev was stopped along the curb to their right picking up a fare.  When the light turned green the bicyclists began pedaling across the intersection. The taxi also accelerated forward.  Upon reaching the middle of the intersection, Mr. Tulemyshev crashed into the rear of the woman's bike throwing her into the street where he then ran her down. The woman's husband screamed for him to stop.  He did for a moment.  He then threw the taxi into reverse and stomped on the accelerator driving the taxi backwards back into the intersection where he rammed another vehicle.  With the terrified fare still in the cab, Mr. Tulemyshev then put the car in drive and sped east on Webster.  A block or two later he abruptly stopped, let his passenger escape then drove off.

The bicyclist was left with scrapes and bruises over much of her body.  More significantly, she suffered torn cartilage in her left knee requiring surgery.  Her injuries left her unable to work for a significant period of time.  She incurred over $60,000 in medical bills.

Despite undeniable negligence by the driver, he and his attorneys initially refused to compensate our client for the harm he caused.  Instead they asserted that her knee injury was the result of a skiing accident years before the crash.  That earlier incident caused tears to her left anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus.  However, for years before the 2011 crash she was symptom free and lived a healthy, active life.  She regularly ran and rode her bicycle without pain.  That changed after being hit by the taxi.  Our challenge was to succinctly demonstrate that the crash was the cause of her ongoing knee problem.  It was complicated.  The first orthopaedic specialist that evaluated her felt that the crash had only resulted in a sprain to the knee.  However, another specialist examined film of her knee and determined that while ACL and meniscus tears preexisted the crash, that at least the injury to her meniscus was exacerbated by the collision and was a very significant factor in her knee problems since.

The evidence regarding her knee injury was solid, but the defense seemed to view it as nuanced. They continued to refused to offer what we and our client felt was reasonable compensation.  Then, two things happened which seemed to tighten the screws.  First, Mr. Tulemyshev, at first cooperative during litigation, disappeared.  Neither his attorneys nor we could locate him.  He never did submit himself for a deposition in the case.  Secondly, we filed and won the right to add a count to the lawsuit seeking punitive damages.  The vast majority of personal injury lawsuits filed in Illinois seek only compensatory damages, that is, money to compensate the victim for the harm caused.  Punitive damages are rarely provided for and are meant to punish a wrongdoer.  The approval of a judge is necessary even to allow a jury to consider providing for punitive damages.  Once we argued for and receive that approval in this case, the defense finally saw the light and did the right thing.

Quick Thinking Chicago Bicyclist Snaps Photo of Vehicle That Hit Him, Helps His Own Case

He thought he got away with it.

When the driver of an Infiniti SUV struck a Chicago bicyclist earlier this year, fracturing his collar bone, he chose to flee.  What he did not count on was the bicyclist, a 35 year old Chicago pastry chef, having the wherewithal to snap a photo of his license plate.  This enabled the police to quickly track down the driver and cite him for failing to exercise due care to avoid hitting a bicyclist.  The cyclist's quick thinking also helped us as his attorneys secure for him a sizable settlement.

The collision occurred at around 7 p.m. on February 12, 2015 on Chicago's northwest side. The bicyclist was riding home from work southbound near 5562 North Lincoln Avenue.  The weather was cold, but dry.  Though the cyclist did not have a headlight on his bike, his helmet had reflective properties and the area was very well lit.  He was riding on the right side of the road.  When he passed in front of a curb cut for the parking lot of a 7-Eleven store, the driver of a 1999 Infiniti QX4, northbound on Lincoln, suddenly made a left turn into the lot.  When he did he smashed into the bicyclist, "t-boning" him.  The driver, who had numerous past moving violations, did not help the badly injured cyclist.  When it became clear that he was about to take off, the cyclist pulled out his smartphone and snapped a photo of the vehicle's license plate.  With the plate number Chicago police officers who arrived at the scene went to work locating the driver.  The bicyclist was loaded into an ambulance and taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital.  He was diagnosed with a right clavicle fracture.

The bicyclist eventually hired our law firm to represent him against the driver.  After several months of work we were able to secure a settlement with the driver's insurer, GEICO, 4 1/2 times greater than his medical bills.

There are a few interesting points here.  Firstly, the importance of riding with a device of some kind that can take pictures, a smartphone, camera or GoPro type device, and using it if something bad happens, cannot be overstated.  Had our client not photographed the vehicle's plate the driver likely would have faced no repercussions for his conduct.  Though there are many video cameras positioned throughout Chicago, most do not reproduce images of sufficient quality to enable the police or us to make out a plate number.  Secondly, if the driver flees and is caught the repercussions will be far greater.  Had the driver stuck around we still would have resolved the case successfully, but GEICO undoubtedly understood that they had to pay more because the driver left the scene.  Thirdly, though all bicyclists are required by Illinois law to ride with at least a front facing headlight at night, not having one does not necessarily preclude recovery.  The crash occurred in a very well lite area and the bicyclist wore a helmet with reflective properties.  Despite his lack of a headlight, the driver should have seen him.

Settlement For 20 Year Old Bicyclist Struck By Elderly Driver In Lakeview

The left cross inflicted serious damage, a fractured nose, broken tooth and facial scaring on the young woman's face.  It wasn't a thrown punch that caused the injuries but the careless maneuver of a left turning driver.  Now my firm has successfully resolved the cyclist's claim against the driver for a substantial sum, compensating for her medical bills, the dental work she still needs and for her other harms and losses.

At around 5:00 p.m. on January 16th the 20 year old photography student was struck by a 74 year old driver who was attempting to turn left from northbound Lincoln onto westbound Barry in Lakeview.  He claimed to have not seen the cyclist, but we were able to demonstrate that she would have been easily visible. The collision occurred during early twilight and there was plenty of natural light left as photos taken at the scene revealed.  The front corner of the vehicle hit the left side of the bicycle flipping the rider onto the hood where her face bounced off of the cold metal before she was thrown to the street.  She was rushed via ambulance to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center nearby.  Though treated and released, she continues to undergo dental care for a badly damaged tooth.  She still has small scars under her lip and nose from the crash.

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.  

Chicago Bicycle Messenger Comes To Aid Of Fallen Cyclist

“Bystanders state she was out of it for a few minutes.”  That's what ambulance personal from the City of Chicago noted after coming to the scene of a bicyclist struck by a car door on North Milwaukee Avenue last summer.  Now, my law firm has reached a settlement with the driver for the full amount of his auto insurance policy.  The cyclist, a 26 year old woman, suffered multiple injuries but has healed completely.

Critical to our efforts in resolving the case was a statement provided by a Chicago bicycle messenger who happened to be riding behind the women and witnessed the crash.  The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. as the female cyclist was riding her mountain bike home from work on August 17, 2012 near 2525 North Milwaukee Avenue. The bike messenger, in the midst of making a delivery at the same time, told police, and later the driver's insurer, that the driver who was parked along the curb flung his door open suddenly just as the bicyclist was passing the vehicle.  The impact threw her to the ground where she hit her head and was nearly struck by another vehicle.  She was wearing a helmet but was knocked unconscious by the heavy impact.  The bike messenger's onsite advocacy compelled police to ticket the driver for violating Chicago Municipal Ordinance 9-40-160 which mandates that all drivers, "exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, or any person operating a bicycle."

Elderly Motorist Strikes 20 Year Old Bicyclist In Lakeview

It was early twilight on a grey winter Wednesday, plenty of light left. As the 20 year old woman rode her bicycle southbound on North Lincoln Avenue, across the intersection with West Barry Avenue, she easily saw the red Dodge coming the other way.  The vehicle was beginning to turn left.  Surely he sees me, she thought.

At around 5:00 p.m. on January 16th the young photography student was struck by the 74 year old driver who was attempting to turn left from northbound Lincoln onto westbound Barry in Lakeview.  He would later claim to have not seen the cyclist, though she would have been easily visible.  The front corner of his vehicle hit the left side of the bicycle flipping its rider onto the hood where her face bounced off of the cold metal before she was thrown to the street.  When she leapt to her feet, adrenalin surging, blood was pouring from her broken nose and mouth.  An ambulance rushed her to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center nearby.

My law firm has been retained to represent the bicyclist.  Her face is healing but she continues to endure dental work to fix her broken teeth.

It is no defense in our state for a driver to say that he looked but did not see.  Since at least 1965, the Illinois appellate court has held that the unseeing eye defense is no defense at all.

Taxi Driver Causes Collision With Bicyclist On North Damen Avenue

There was a moment of sheer panic when the cab suddenly shot out in front of him.  A split second later he was flying over the front of the taxi and into the street.  The 27 year old cyclist landed hard on his right shoulder in a puddle of dark, murky slop on the side of the road.

On January 6th at around 12:30 a.m. the male bicyclist was riding home from a friend's house in the shared bike lane north along the 3300 block of North Damen Avenue when a taxi, which had been stopped along the curb, suddenly pulled out in front of him.  The cyclist could not avoid striking the front wheel well of the cab.  The impact sent him flying into the road where he suffered a separated shoulder.  He was taken from the scene via ambulance to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.  

The bicyclist works at a Trader Joe's Market on the North Side.  The injury is expected to keep him out of work for at least six weeks.

My law firm has been retained to represent the bicyclist.  We are expecting the cab driver to offer the tired excuse that he did not see the cyclist.  However, the crash occurred in an area designated for bike traffic in a very well lit area.  In fact, the collision occurred directly underneath a street light.

Lexus Driver Strikes Bicycle Delivery Rider, Leaves Scene

The bicycle delivery rider was left in the road wondering why the driver of the Lexus SUV that hit him had been in such a rush.  He was also left with a badly fractured foot.

On December 2, 2012 at around noon, the bicyclist was riding westbound near 2348 West Lawrence Avenue approaching the intersection with Western Avenue.  He was coming from the nearby Jimmy John's Restaurant where he worked as a delivery rider.  He had been traveling in the dedicated left turn lane for several feet when suddenly he was clipped by a 2011 Lexus SUV traveling fast also in the left turn lane.  The impact was heavy, throwing him off his bike and fracturing his foot in two places.  He wonders if the driver, who left the scene before Chicago police arrived, was rushing to beat the green left turn light.

The bicyclist was taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital nearby where the fracture was diagnosed.  Presently, he is convalescing at his parent's home in Michigan awaiting word on whether he will require surgery to place metal pins in his foot.

My law firm has been retained by the cyclist.  If you witnessed this terrible crash I would appreciate it if you contacted me at 312.803.0128 or via email at bhk@mybikeadvocate.com.

66 Year Old Chicago Bicyclist Doored, But Undaunted

Getting doored by a careless driver did not slow her down for good.  A 66 year old bicyclist, struck by a car door in June, suffered serious injuries, but just a few months after the crash she was back on a bicycle doing what she loved.  Now she will also receive monetary compensation, my law firm successfully resolving her case for the full amount of the driver's auto insurance policy.

The incident occurred on a pleasant summer day just after 11:00 a.m.  The female cyclist was riding her mountain bike eastbound near 1437 West Argyle in Uptown on her way to the dentist.  Suddenly the driver of a 2001 Toyota threw his door open, striking the right side of the bike.  The impact threw it and its rider across the narrow street and into another parked car.  The heavy crash knocked the woman unconscious and snapped her right arm.  She was rushed via ambulance to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, a level I trauma center.

A hospital stay was followed by months of painful rehabilitation and a long, hot summer in a confining and uncomfortable cast and arm sling.  Independent and athletic, she could not wait to get back in the saddle, even facing the risk of another crash.  She told me that she always felt that the risk to her health from a sedentary lifestyle was far greater than the potential harm from another crash.  When the cast came off and she regained some range of motion in her limb, she was riding again.  She has not completely healed and it is unclear now for how long the effects of her injuries will burden her.  However, she has no plans to stop riding.

Chicago Police Officer Charged With Felony For Striking, Seriously Injuring Bicyclist Then Lying About It

Felony charges have been filed against a Chicago police officer for striking a bicyclist with his pick-up truck on August 3rd then fleeing the scene, according to The Chicago Tribune.  The officer was off-duty at the time of the crash, reports The Chicago Sun-Times.  The bicyclist suffered serious injuries to her head and lower extremities.

The incident occurred at around 3:25 a.m. near the intersection of California and Wabansia in Humboldt Park.  The officer, Michael Bergeson, a nine year veteran, was allegedly driving his Ford F150 when he struck the female cyclist who was riding with her boyfriend.  The impact reportedly sent the woman over the hood of the vehicle then onto the street.  The Sun Times reports that she was bleeding from the head and was in and out of consciousness at the scene.

Mr. Bergeson allegedly called 911 then fled the scene as the ambulance approached, striking two parked cars as he did so, according to The Tribune.  His vehicle's license plate was retrieved at the scene.  Two days after the crash, he allegedly made a false traffic report blaming the bicyclist for causing the crash.  Prosecutors from the Illinois States Attorneys Office have filed charges against the officer for leaving the scene of an accident and for disorderly conduct stemming from filing a false report, according to The Tribune.  Both charges are felonies.  Today bail was set at $25,000.

Mr. Bergeson will appear in court again on December 20th.

Injured Bicyclist To Receive Settlement Thanks To Fellow Cyclist's Account

The driver of the SUV said that he entered the intersection traveling east on a green light when the westbound bicyclist abruptly turned left smack into the side of his vehicle.  Hard luck for the badly injured cyclist. . .

If only the driver's story were true.

The motorist did not count on the unbiased account of an eyewitness to undermine his story.  A female wedding events planner was stopped on her bicycle facing south on Humboldt Boulevard at the light controlling the intersection with West Cortland Street in Logan Square when she saw the horrible event unfold.  It was about 10:30 p.m. on July 8, 2012 and she was riding home from a wedding she had been working.  She saw a 31 year old male bicyclist riding at a moderate pace west on Cortland as she waited for the light to turn. She remembered thinking how much she liked his red bicycle a second before she noticed bright headlights speeding northbound into the intersection, blowing the red light.  The collision was massive and threw the male bicyclist's 6'2", 200 lb. frame into the air then down onto the truck's windshield, shattering it.  Sparks flew into the air from the metal bike scrapping the road, making the event look like an explosion.  Covered in blood, and unconscious the bicyclist was rushed via ambulance to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage.

What followed was weeks of pain, and months of healing.  Thanks to his youth, good health and perhaps some luck, the bicyclist made a full recovery.  On Friday, November 16th my law firm, retained by the injured bicyclist, reached a fair settlement with the driver and his insurance company, thanks in no small part to a fellow cyclist who was willing to step forward and tell the truth.

Chicago Bicyclist Killed This Morning In Old Town

Alex Garcia, Chicago Tribune

Update: 2:00 p.m.:  The Chicago Tribune reports that the bicyclist was a 32 year old male who was forced to swerve out of the way of a car door that had opened suddenly when he was crushed by the semi.  The driver that opened the door was ticketed.  Both the state and city have laws in place that require motorists to look for oncoming vehicles, including bicycles, before opening a door into the roadway.  The name of the bicyclist has not yet been released.

A male Chicago bicyclist was killed this morning by the driver of a semi truck in front of Walter Payton High School in the City's Old Town neighborhood, according to The Chicago Tribune.  The cyclist was pinned under the wheel of the heavy vehicle just before 9:00 a.m., according to The Chicago Sun-Times.  As of 9:45, rescue crews were still trying to remove the bicyclist's body from under the vehicle.

The deadly collision occurred as the bicyclist was riding southbound on North Wells Street, just north of West Oak Street.  That portion of Wells has a dedicated bike lane.  Photographs of the scene from The Tribune and the Sun-Times show the victim's bicycle at rest in the bike lane with the red semi stopped close by.  The name and age of the victim has not been reported.

Chicago Bicyclist Struck, Critically Injured By Hit and Run Driver

A Chicago bicyclist is in critical condition after being struck by the driver of a SUV yesterday afternoon on the city's North Side, according to ABC 7 Chicago.  The driver struck the male cyclist 4100 block of West School Street, throwing him onto the windshield of the vehicle, then fled the scene.    

No other details have been reported.  Police are looking for the driver.

Chicago Bicyclist Hit By Red Light Running Taxi Driver To Be Compensated

She was riding her bike to a job interview at Chicago's Rainforest Cafe when the driver of an American United taxi did something stupid. The westbound driver ran the red light at West Ontario Street and struck the 25 year old female cyclist riding on North Clark Street southbound toward her nearby destination.  The collision in the intersection of Ontario and Clark at 12:30 p.m. last August 25th threw her off of her bike and onto her right side, causing injuries to her back and right foot, elbow and ribs.  Late yesterday, my law firm, retained to represent the bicyclist, successfully resolved the case against the driver and taxi company.

The woman's injuries were not life threatening, but the collision, caused only by the carelessness of the taxi driver, resulted in pain, and significant disruption to her life.  It also caused the uninsured woman substantial financial hardship.  She was left with medical bills she did not have the money to pay.  The compensation she will receive cannot erase these experiences, but will help her move on.

Man Entering Car Doors & Injures Bicyclist On Milwaukee Avenue

It was one of those moments where faith that a fellow human would act attentively was tragically repudiated.  

On August 17th a 26 year old female bicyclist riding northbound in the shared bike lane on North Milwaukee Avenue trusted that the man who stepped into the bike lane in front of her would not just open his car door into her.  It was just before 5:00 p.m.  She was on her way home from work on that clear and sunny late afternoon.  There was no reason to believe that the man would not see her coming on her old mountain bike.  Nevertheless, no newbie to city cycling, the woman slowed and moved to her left to avoid the man standing next to his Toyota Corolla.  But just as she passed him he suddenly threw his car door open striking the the woman and her bike.  The impact sent her hurling into the street in the 2500 block of North Milwaukee Avenue.  

She was at first unable to move.  Her entire left side was in searing pain and her head hurt.  She was wearing a helmet but sustained a head injury.  A city ambulance rushed her to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center where a brain CT demonstrated evidence of a concussion.  She was admitted to the hospital, not to be released until the following day.  She continues to receive medical treatment.

My law firm has been hired to represent the bicyclist.

Lakeview Bicyclist Seriously Hurt By Backing Driver

A 21 year old male bicyclist was seriously injured after being struck by a car as he rode his bicycle in Chicago's East Lakeview Neighborhood on September 8th.  The incident took place at around 4:20 p.m. in the 2800 block of North Broadway.  The cyclist was hit as he waited in the southbound lane behind the driver of a 2007 Mazda 6 who was waiting behind another vehicle attempting to parallel park.  The rider and his Schwinn Collegiate were about 10' to 15' behind the Mazda when the driver suddenly accelerated backwards -- seemingly aggravated at having to wait for the parking vehicle -- crashing into the cyclist.  The hard impact throw him to the street where he sustained a complex fracture to his left wrist.

The bicyclist was rushed from the scene via a City of Chicago ambulance to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.  He is presently awaiting word on whether his severe injury will require surgery.

My law firm has been retained to represent the bicyclist.

Chicago Bicyclist Hit By SUV Emerging From Alley To Receive Settlement

The driver of a SUV that emerged from a Chicago alley and struck a 42 year old male bicyclist has agreed to settle the claim against her for a substantial sum.  My law firm represents the injured bicyclist and negotiated the settlement.

The incident occurred at 4813 West Belle Plaine Avenue at around 8:45 p.m. on December 2, 2011.  On that evening, the bicyclist was riding his old mountain bike slowly on the sidewalk in the residential area on his way to a nearby Walgreens to pick up a video for family movie night.  His wife and two young daughters were waiting for his return at their nearby home.  As he typically did, the man rode with the family dog at his side.  When he got near Walgreens he exited the sidewalk and crossed into an alleyway.  Halfway across a pair of blazing headlights came rushing at him from his right.  The driver of a 2007 Volvo XC90, having just exited Walgreens' parking lot into the alley, was speeding through the alley and did not see the man on his bike with a dog in front of her.  A resident of a building adjacent to the alley saw the headlights speed by her window before hearing a loud, sickening thud.  Fearing that one of the children that live in her building may have been hit, she rushed outside.  She found the bicycle under the front grill of the Volvo and its rider down on the pavement.  The dog was excited but okay.

The bicyclist sustained a serious right shoulder injury requiring surgery.  He continues to undergo painful and exhausting physical therapy.  His future is uncertain.  The matter resolved for the full amount of all applicable insurance.

Driver Of Semi Truck Kills Chicago Bicyclist Before Fleeing Scene

Update - 5:20 p.m. 08/07/2012:  Police are still looking for the driver of a semi truck that killed Evelyn Dean as she rode her bike in the Fuller Park neighborhood of Chicago yesterday, according to The Chicago Tribune.  The fatal collision occurred as the driver of the truck was attempting to enter Norfolk Southern's railroad facility around 2:00 p.m.  The driver fled the scene in the truck after the crash.  For some reason police have not yet released a description of the truck or the driver.

A Chicago bicyclist was killed by a semi tractor trailer this afternoon at the 300 block of West 47th Street, according to CLTV.  Few details have thus far been reported, but apparently the truck fled the scene after striking the woman who was dead at the scene.

Taxi Cab Causes Crash With Bicyclist On North Michigan Avenue

A 22 year old Chicago bicyclist was in a collision with a taxi while riding to work on North Michigan Avenue on July 31st.  The male cyclist struck the back of his head on the pavement and was taken via ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for treatment.  The collision occurred at the intersection of North Michigan and East Wacker Drive.  The cyclist approached the intersection in the left side of the far right lane intending to avoid right turning traffic and to proceed straight north on Michigan.  With the traffic signal green he passed the left side of a yellow taxi cab attempting to turn right.  When he did, the cab driver unexpectedly jerked his vehicle left before beginning his right turn.   The bicyclist was unable to avoid striking the front driver's side quarter panel of the taxi.  The impact sent him hurdling over the front corner of the vehicle and onto the road where he struck his head.

My law firm has been retained to represent the bicyclist.

Bicyclist Struck In Logan Square Continues On Road Toward Recovery

He was pedaling at a casual pace toward his Logan Square home on a warm July night when suddenly everything exploded.  At around 10:30 p.m. on July 8th a 31 year old male bicyclist was struck by a car who ran a red light at North Humboldt Boulevard and West Cortland Street in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood.  The cyclist was riding home for the evening after a laid back dinner with his girlfriend. His route home took him west on Cortland, a quiet residential street.  When he reached the intersection with Humboldt Boulevard's outer section he stopped at the stop sign.  The stop light a few yards ahead of him controlling traffic on Cortland and the main section of Humboldt Boulevard was green and he proceeded west.  He had reached the approximate center of the intersection when he saw the vehicle, a 2004 Suzuki, bearing down on him, the driver running the light.  

The collision was massive and threw the bicyclist's 6'2", 200 lb. frame into the air then down onto the car's windshield, shattering it. Covered in blood, he regained consciousness in the ambulance rushing him to Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center.  In the emergency department, medical personnel cut his clothes off of him and worked to stabilize his condition.  They would discover that his brain was hemorrhaging and admitted him to the hospital where he remained for several days.  He continues his long road toward recovery.

My law firm has been retained to represent the bicyclist.