A 40 year old Chicago man suffered a separated shoulder when he collided with an SUV while riding along the lake front bicycle path on November 15th. The collision occurred at around 11:15 a.m. near the 1600 block of North Lake Shore Drive where the bike path is intersected by West LaSalle Drive. When the southbound bicyclist, an ex-Marine, approached the short crossing, a Meade Electric truck was positioned in front of him in the middle of the crossing. According the company's website, Meade maintains traffic lights for the City of Chicago and the Illinois Department of Transportation. None of Meade's workers were positioned to direct or instruct southbound cyclists. There were no safety cones, flags or signage posted directing users of the bicycle path as to how to navigate around the stopped vehicle. The bicyclist slowed then attempted to pass in front of the truck, which was pointed east toward the lake. Unbeknownst to him, however, a Meade employee positioned on the other side of the International 4300 had waived a motorist operating a 2007 Ford Explorer into the area from the adjacent off ramp of North Lake Shore Drive. West LaSalle Drive at that location serves as an entry point for North Avenue Beach's parking lot. With the truck blocking his sight of the off ramp, the bicyclist was unaware what was happening. When he rounded the truck the SUV suddenly appeared. The bicyclist struck the driver's side of the vehicle, spearing it with his helmeted head and his shoulder. He was taken from the scene by a City of Chicago ambulance to Northwestern Memorial Hospital nearby.
My law firm is representing the bicyclist who was diagnosed with a separated shoulder and related injuries. He has undergone physical therapy and is recovering.
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