Avid 81 Year Old Bicyclist Killed By CTA Bus

Heart and legs pumping, at age 81 Lane Swanson, an avid cyclist, was pedaling in the bike lane on Dodge Avenue at around 10:15 a.m. on September 12th when a CTA bus collided with him.  He was pronounced dead the following afternoon at St. Francis Hospital having suffered a head injury.  TribLocal reporter, Jonathan Bullington, reports that the force of the collision cracked Mr. Swanson's bike helmet.

The cause of the accident is not entirely clear.  According to the Tribune report, Mr. Swanson was riding in the designated bike lane when he was passed by the bus.  Allegedly, a witness saw the cyclist swerve into the right side of the bus as it passed.  The vantage point of the witness has not been reported.  If he did swerve, it is not clear whether he was attempting to avoid an obstacle in the bike lane.

UIC Student, Bicyclist Struck By Motorist

A UIC student was struck by the driver of a 1999 Mercury Mystique at the intersection of Leavitt Street and Warren Boulevard while riding her bicycle on August 31st suffering three fracture vertebrae.  The female bicyclist was hit at around 9:45 a.m. as she was on her way to school traveling southbound on Leavitt.  She was struck from behind as she slowed to wait for a northbound vehicle to pass so she could turn left onto Warren Boulevard.  The impact threw her from her bike and into the intersection where she struck her lower back, pelvis, elbow and head on the pavement.  She was wearing a helmet.

An ambulance transported her to Stroger Hospital for treatment.  She received additional treatment at UIC Medical Center.  She continues to receive medical care.  Our law firm has been retained to represent the bicyclist.

Chicago Bicycle Commuters On The Move

Here is an interesting chart from today's New York Times depicting the increase in bicycle commuting among a few major U.S. cities, including Chicago:

Chicago Bicyclist Hit By Suzuki To Be Compensated

A female bicyclist injured on April 26, 2011 when a motorist crashed into her as she rode along West Division Street, just east of Wells Street, will receive the full amount of available insurance as compensation for her injuries.  Our firm represented the cyclist in her claim against the driver and his insurer.  The bicyclist was riding along the right side of the roadway, her boyfriend on his bike a few feet ahead of her, just after 5:00 when a 2002 Suzuki Aerio suddenly merged into her from her left.  The impact sent the rider over her handlebars and onto the street where her helmeted head struck the pavement.

An ambulance transported her to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she was treated for a fracture elbow.  Thankfully, CT scans of her brain revealed no significant head injury.  In the months since the incident she has achieved a full recovery.

Bicyclist Remains On Ventilator, Driver Charged With Aggravated DUI For Madison Street Crash

Bicyclist, Frederick Johnson of the 3800 block of West Taylor Street, remains on a ventilator in critical condition after being struck by a motorist who flipped her car on Madison Street after striking a barrier on September 1st. The driver, Sheila B. Kane has been charged with aggravated driving under the influence causing great bodily harm and other charges, according to The Chicago Tribune.  She allegedly consumed six tall glasses of vodka and water at West End bar within two hours of getting behind the wheel of her 2008 Mercury Sable.

Car Flips and Strikes Bicyclist Near Chicago's United Center

A bicyclist was critically injured early this morning near the United Center when a motorist flipped her car over then crashed into the cyclist.  The incident occurred near the intersection of Madison Street and Hoyne Avenue. The Chicago Tribune and ABC News report that the driver appeared to have struck a roadway median causing the car to flip over and strike the bicyclist.  The driver was also injured.  Both the motorist and the bicyclist were taken to Stroger Hospital.  No names have been released.