Fatal bicycle accident may warrant compensation for family

People choose to ride bicycles for a number of reasons. Many ride them for exercise, recreation enjoyment, convenience or lack of another vehicle for transportation. Whatever the reason people ride, they face many dangers sharing the roads with larger vehicles. The drivers of larger cars and trucks frequently fail to see and properly yield to bicycles, at times resulting in a bicycle accident. Many car and truck drivers may not realize that the state of Illinois recognizes bicycles as a vehicle, giving cyclists the same rights on roads.

Recently, a man lost his life in Chicago while riding a bicycle. Reports state that a 36-year-old man driving a sedan hit a bicycle rider in an intersection. The cyclist was apparently riding west, and the sedan was driving north through the intersection.

Although the cyclist was transported to a medical facility for treatment of his injuries, he did not survive. Initial reports state that the sedan driver did not receive a ticket after the accident. Authorities have not determined the cause of the tragic incident.

Illinois personal injury attorneys are able to offer advice to anyone who has lost a loved one in a bicycle accident. The family of the deceased cyclist may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim in civil court. If it is documented in court that the sedan driver’s negligence caused or materially contributed to the collision, the family may be able to receive compensation to cover medical and funeral costs. The court will also determine if any other financial and emotional compensation is warranted, based upon the claims and evidence presented.

Source: NBC Chicago, “Bicyclist Killed in Crash on Chicago’s West Side“, Jan. 12, 2017