Bicycle accident: Cyclist killed, pedestrian injured by driver

Bicyclists and pedestrians are always vulnerable when using Illinois roadways. In many cases, these road users are severely injured or even killed by motorists who fail to keep a proper lookout. A fatal bicycle accident recently occurred in Cook County in the North Lawndale neighborhood.

According to a report by the Chicago Police Department, a 55-year-old bicyclist was knocked off his bike by a vehicle on a recent Sunday evening. The vehicle then hit a pedestrian who was walking in the same area. The 45-year-old pedestrian was transported to a hospital. He was reportedly stabilized, but no further information about his condition was available.

The bicyclist was less fortunate. He was also rushed to the hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries within about 30 minutes. Police said the driver received citations for being uninsured and failing to lower speed in order to avoid striking the two individuals. No criminal charges were reported to have been filed at the time of the report.

This pedestrian and bicycle accident has left two Illinois families having to cope with the traumatic consequences. The injured pedestrian and the family of the deceased bicyclist may pursue financial relief through the civil court system. By filing a wrongful death and personal injury lawsuit respectively, monetary judgments may be entered against the driver — if the driver’s negligence is properly established before the court. All documented claims will be considered for compensation, including medical and/or end-of-life expenses along with other financial, physical and emotional damages sustained.

Source: Chicago Sun-Times, “Bicyclist killed, pedestrian injured in North Lawndale crash”, Ashlee Rezin, Dec. 7, 2015