City Cyclist Struck By Left Turning Indiana Driver On Chicago Avenue

It happened at perhaps one of the best lit intersections in the city, Chicago Avenue and Dearborn Street.  At around 9:00 p.m. on June 18th a 24 year old male bicyclist was riding westbound on Chicago Avenue when he was struck by an eastbound, left turning driver, near the heart of the tourist district.  The motorist, a 28 year old woman from Indiana, claimed that she did not see the cyclist on his white bicycle, equipped with a flashing light and reflectors, in the middle of the intersection.  The bicyclist and driver both had green lights at the time of the crash.  The front of the 2002 Nissan Maxima struck the bike just behind the rider's left leg.  City ordinance requires left turning drivers to yield to bicyclists approaching from the opposite direction.

The heavy and unexpected impact send the cyclist flying north.  He landed hard on the edge of the curb badly fracturing his right arm. The crash also sliced open his left leg.  An ambulance transported him to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he received an extensive workup, including an arm splint and several stitches to his bloody leg.  It is not yet clear whether surgery will be necessary to aid the healing of his arm.  Regardless, an active summer is out of the question for the hobbled young man.

My law firm has been retained to represent the bicyclist.