Bicyclist Killed In Pilsen Was A Gifted Musician; Driver Charged With Reckless Homicide, DUI

The bicyclist killed by a hit and run driver in Pilsen on Tuesday morning was 30 year old Fredrick Kobrick of the 1700 block of South Desplaines.  A reader of this blog informs me that Mr. Kobrick was a gifted artist involved with a music project "Geometric Temples."

The name of Mr. Kobrick's alleged killed has also been released.  38 year old Ignacio Ramirez, who initially fled the scene, has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated DUI stemming from the incident.

Bicyclist Killed By Hit and Run Driver In Pilsen

A 30 year old man was killed this morning in Pilsen when a motorist struck him as he rode his bicycle.  The bicyclist was riding near West 18th Street and South Carpenter Street just before 1:00 a.m. when he was struck.  He was on his way to meet friends when the driver allegedly veered into him, according to police.  The driver did not stop, but a suspect is in custody, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.  Neither the name of the bicyclist nor that of the driver have been published.

Six Year Old Bicyclist Killed By Backing Pickup

Six year old Ricardo Navarro was killed on Friday afternoon while riding his bicycle around the corner from his home near East 88th Street and South Buffalo Avenue, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.  The young boy sustained massive head injuries after the driver of a pickup truck, Jesus Alvarez, backed his vehicle up without properly looking for children.  He was cited for negligent driving by police at the scene.

Ricardo was often seen in the neighborhood riding his bike.  The driver lived just a few doors down from the boy's family.

Few Facts Revealed Regarding Crash Between Chicago Police Vehicle and 10 Year Old Bicyclist

A 10 year old child was taken to Loretto Hospital last night after sustaining injuries when he was involved in a crash with a police car while riding his bicycle, according to the Chicago Tribune.  The incident occurred at around 5 p.m. along the 5500 block of West Van Buren Street, a residential area close to Columbus Park.  Very few details of this incident have been reported.  Neither the extent of the child's injuries, nor how the crash occurred have so far been revealed.  Even the child's gender is apparently unknown to the media.

Bicyclist Crushed By Dump Truck Was No Wobbly Rider

I.A.M. Wellness

The gruesome death of 25 year old Jacqueline Marie Michon is an especially vivid reminder of the dangers faced by even experienced bicyclists on our city's streets.  Miss Michon fell underneath a dump truck allegedly stopped at a red light at 227 North Wabash Avenue and was crushed to death after the light changed, according to the Chicago Tribune.  Reportedly, she rode her bike between a car stopped next to the truck then lost her balance.  Miss Michon was no wobbly newcomer to cycling.  She's been described as a passionate cyclist and was a spinning instructor.  Her other passions included hiking and rock climbing.  She grew up an avid swimmer and lacrosse player.  Miss Michon worked as a personal trainer.  In addition to spinning, she taught boot camp and kickboxing.

How or why she lost her balance on Friday night is not clear.  Speculating as to the cause of this tragedy would be foolish.  Riding in the city is dangerous, to note the obvious.  Streets designed to make cycling less dangerous will hopefully reduce the need to come so close to some of the behemoths that use our roadways.    This is already underway in Chicago; and not a moment too soon.

79 Year Old Bicyclist Struck and Killed By Motorist In Maywood

The driver of a motor vehicle turned himself in after striking and killing a 79 year old bicyclist in Maywood on Friday night.  The bicyclist, Harold Moore, was struck at the intersection of 9th Avenue and Fillmore Street in a quiet residential area just two blocks from his home at around 8 p.m.  It is not clear whether the driver initially left the scene, but the Chicago Tribune reports that he turned himself in at Loyola University Medical Center where the bicyclist was taken.  Mr. Moore was pronounced dead less than an hour after the collision.

After A Bike Crash, Go To The Damn Hospital

I've been representing injured people for some 15 years and if anything drives me nuts it is when someone blows off going to the hospital after an accident.  This frustration was driven home last week when I read about the death of Francisco Moreno.  After he was struck by a van while riding his bicycle a trip to the hospital was delayed until he lost consciousness at home many hours after the incident.  One has to wonder if he would be live today if he had been taken to the hospital right after the crash.

Let me be succinct, if your are involved in a bicycle crash and some part of your body hurts, go to the damn hospital.  The seriousness of your injuries may not be immediately apparent.  After a crash your adrenaline may be flowing.  You may not be thinking straight, so just play it safe a get to the ER.  This is especially true if you even lightly hit your head, with or without a helmet.  If it turns out that you are fine, good.  Don't worry about wasting your time or anyone else's time.  Don't feel embarrassed.  Just do what has to be done to rule out a serious injury.

Aside from protecting your own health, seeking immediate medical care following a crash will help you or your attorney later if a claim or lawsuit arises from the incident.  Time and again I see insurance companies fail to take seriously a claim brought where the injured bicyclist did not seek treatment right away following a crash.  Their thinking is, how serious could the injury be if he/she didn't go to the hospital.  Insurance adjusters tend to be cynical people.  Delayed medical treatment tends to raise a red flag in the adjuster's mind:  Maybe we're being scammed.  Maybe the injury happened after the bike accident.  Don't give an insurance company any reason to be doubtful about your claim and the cause of your injuries.  Seek immediate medical treatment.

There are all sorts of reasons, in my experience, to explain why the bicyclist blows off a trip to the hospital after a crash.  Lack of medical insurance coverage is one big reason.  All I can say is cost is just something you'll have to worry about later.  Take care of yourself first.  A hospital ER will not turn you away for lack of insurance.  Also, most hospitals will work with you on a sensible payment plan if you cannot afford to pay the bill.  If you have a claim against an at fault driver, the hospital will lien your claim and your lawyer will help you make sure your bill is paid at the end of your case.  Whatever concerns or fears you might have about going to the hospital after a crash, remember Francisco Moreno.