A new resident to the state was killed while exploring the area on her bike. The woman was killed in a Chicago bicycle accident when she was riding north on Wabash and rode between a car and a dump truck that had stopped for a red light at Wacker Drive, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Police say she lost her balance and fell under the rear axle of the dump truck. As the intersection’s light turned green, the truck took off before she could get out from under the wheels. A witness shouted out to the driver. The truck came to a stop and remained at the scene. Police are still investigating the incident. No charges have been filed.”It’s a tragic accident,” Chicago Police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli said. “It appears from witnesses . . . the bicyclist had lost her footing and slipped under the wheels.”
Our Chicago bicycle accident attorneys understand the risks of cycling in the city. As a matter of fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that there were more than 600 bicyclists killed in traffic accidents on U.S. roadways in 2009 alone. Another 51,000 bicyclists were injured in because of these accidents. Illinois saw 20 bicyclist deaths in 2008 and hundreds more injuries. About three quarters of the state’s serious and fatal bicycle accidents occur in Chicago.
As we recently reported on our Chicago Personal Injury Attorneys Blog, the city is pushing for even more residents and visitors to use bicycles as an effective and convenient form of transportation. In an effort to make two-wheeled transportation more appealing, the city and Chicago’s Department of Transportation (CDOT) just recently celebrated the installation of its first on-street bicycle parking corral. This new parking corral is located on Milwaukee Avenue just south of North Avenue. This new bicycle parking lot allow for parking for more than 12 bicycles in a space that was previously used to 1 or 2 motor vehicles. This is the first of many that will be installed throughout the city.
Separate bike lanes are also being installed and may have saved a life in this case.
As the city pushes for more bicyclists, motorists are urged to adapt to these new road travelers.
Here are some safety tips for bicyclists, from Secretary of State Jesse White, to help keep you safe on our roadways:
-Abide by the same traffic laws as motorists.
-You must ride in the same direction as traffic. Riding in the opposite direction of traffic is not only dangerous, but it is also against the law.
-Allow at least 3 feet of space between you and a bicyclist when passing.
-When walking or riding your bicycle on a sidewalk or along a crosswalk you are required to obey all pedestrian signs and signals.
-You must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on sidewalks or crosswalks.
-When approaching a pedestrian from behind, make sure you slow down and give an audible warning signal to notify them of your presence before passing.
-Bicycles are allowed to be parked on the road at any angle to the curb or edge of the roadway where parking is allowed. When parking is allowed on a sidewalk, you may park your bicycle so it will not be in the way of pedestrians.
-Slow down at intersections and railroad crossings to make sure it’s safe to cross.
-Keep both hands on the handlebars at all times. You are urged to use a backpack or a bike carrier to hold your books, lunch or other items you may need to transport.
-Ride slower on wet streets, loose gravel or bumpy roads.
If you have been hurt in Illinois bike accident, contact Abels & Annes for a free, no obligation consultation. Call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to an attorney today.
More Blog Entries:
Simple Theory Aims to Reduce Bicycle Accidents caused by Dooring in Chicago, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, August 7, 2011
Chicago bike accident lawyers secure $40,000 settlement, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, July 27, 2011