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Anyone who regularly rides their bicycle along Chicago’s Lakefront Trail will have noticed the proliferation of people riding electric bikes in the last few years.  The bike injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. note there appears to be a dearth of research regarding the safety of electric bikes in relation to regular pedal bikes.  As the popularity of electric bikes continue to grow and as more electric bikes  are being ridden on our roads and bike paths, there has been growing awareness that perhaps electric bikes need to be treated differently than regular bicycles.

In a recent study conducted by U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission it was reported that there were 53,200 e-bike crash injuries recorded.  More telling is that the study showed that electric bike injuries increased from 3,500 in 2017 to 24,400 in 2022 which shows how rapidly electric bike injuries are increasing.  Governmental entities are currently grappling with how to treat electric bikes.  Should they be treated like pedal bicycles or should they be treated more like motorcycles. Safety experts point out that electric bike users face a greater risk of serious injury or death for the obvious reason that electric bikes are heavier and faster than regular bikes.  WaBiffl MD, trauma medical director at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla and trauma surgeon at Scripps Clinic is quoted on Scripps Health website regarding electric bikes: “They go much faster, and this may create risk for hitting pedestrians who can’t get out of the way in time, or with motor vehicles, whose drivers do not anticipate a bike moving so fast,” He continues: “There’s also more momentum and the stopping distance will be much greater.”

As a frequent bicycle bike rider on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail, Chicago bike accident lawyer, Peter Zneimer, of Zneimer & Zneimer PC has noticed a big change within the last two years with the increase of electric bike usage.  The Lakefront trail has always been dangerous. The path is often congested in the summer months with bicyclist of all types from people who regularly ride on the path to tourists who have rented bikes and are on the path for the first time. Add to the mix pedestrians, including children and people unfamiliar with the park walking and crossing the path without paying attention, unaware of the dangers. There are also roller bladders, runners, families with baby strollers, skateboarders and everyone else enjoying Grant Park in the summer. The trail was plenty dangerous already with bicyclists riding too fast given the many potential dangers, causing serious injuries to both pedestrians and other bicyclists.  Now the situation is exponentially  more dangerous.  It is not unusual today to be pedaling a bicycle at a good clip on the bike path and be passed by someone on an electric bike that more resembles a motorcycle than a bike a bicycle going 20 to 35 miles per hour.  At the present time, there appears to be no restrictions as to what class of electric bikes are permitted on the Lakefront Trail.  There are no Chicago ordinances nor any signage on the path itself restricting speeds  or restricting the types of electric bikes allowed.  The city of Chicago seems to be relying on people to use their common sense to go slow in crowded areas when so many children, pedestrians and tourists are present. Unfortunately, common sense seems to be in short supply on the bike path.  Peter Zneimer has on many occasions witnessed people on electric bikes weaving at high speed through crowds of pedestrians and other bicyclists. Sadly, Peter Zneimer, has also witnessed serious injuries and even death on the bike path due to bike riders going too fast for conditions. Inevitably, with the higher speed and heavier electric bikes there will be even more severe injuries and deaths on the Lakeshore Bike Trail.  The wise course would be to restrict electric bike speed and classes on the bike path proactively and not wait until the injuries and deaths pile up before taking action.

 

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The Chicago Tribune recently published an article with the results of a study they conducted which seem to indicate that Chicago police tend not to issue tickets in pedestrian and cyclist crash cases.   The Tribune study of Chicago police data shows that out of more than 4,000 crashes between 2018 and November 2023 only 26% resulted in a traffic ticket or more serious charges.  The Chicago personal injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer, PC see many police reports and we observe that the police rarely actually witness the accident. When the police arrive on the scene of the crash, they interview the parties involved and the witnesses to determine what happened.  From experience, the lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer PC have observed that when there is an independent witness who will assign fault to one party or the other, then the police will be more likely to issue a ticket. Usually if there is no independent witness and both parties are blaming each other, then the police officer will not give a ticket to either party. Of course the injured pedestrian or cyclist can hire a personal injury lawyer to make a claim against the at fault motorist for damages.  If the motorist’s insurance company denies the claim then the injured party’s lawyer can file a lawsuit and have the case decided by a jury.

The Chicago Department of Transportation has  accelerated improvements on the roadways in Chicago, adding more protected bike lanes, pedestrian islands and speed bumps.  However, infrastructure improvements can only go so far in protecting pedestrians and cyclists.  Chicago Department of Transportation’s data shows that most traffic deaths involve motorists who were driving recklessly.  Almost 60% of the traffic deaths involved speeding.  Astonishingly, more than half of the pedestrian deaths in Chicago were hit and run crashes with the motorist fleeing the scene of the crash.

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A recent study done by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety indicates that the rise of pedestrian deaths in recent years could be attributable to the rise in popularity of larger vehicles.  The authors of the study conjecture that poor visibility  and blind spots that these vehicles have could be a major factor in their findings.  The Chicago personal injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer  have noticed that many of their pedestrian injury cases did in fact involve SUV’s and pick-up trucks.

The statistics are striking. According to the National Highway Traffic Administration, 6,519 pedestrians were killed in the United States in 2020.  That represents an astounding 59% increase since 2009.  Over the same period of time the sales of SUV’s and pickup trucks rose dramatically, now accounting for almost 50% of all new vehicles sold.

A North Carolina study was done from 2010 and 2018 that demonstrated the impact of SUV’s and pickup trucks on pedestrian injuries.  This study found that  pickup trucks were 42% more likely to hit pedestrians when making a left turn and  SUV’s were 23% more likely to hit a pedestrian.  Experts conjecture that this disparity is that the larger vehicles have poorer viability.    SUV’s and pickup trucks have A-Pillars which can block viability.  Additionally, Consumer Reports found that truck hoods have risen 15% since 2000.  The magazine also found that the Ford F-250 was a staggering 55 inches off the ground which is as tall as the roofs of many cars.  The high hoods obstruct the view of people walking in front of the truck, especially if the pedestrians and are short  or are children.

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El bufete de abogados de Chicago Zneimer & Zneimer, que se enfoca en lesiones por mordedura de perro, maneja numerosos casos de lesiones personales derivadas de mordeduras de perro. Afirman que la mayoría de las lesiones por mordeduras de perro se pueden prevenir. Los perros a menudo son vistos como mejores amigos por muchos, celebrados por su lealtad y afecto. Proporcionan compañía y apoyo emocional, reduciendo el estrés y la soledad, y animando a sus dueños a ser más activos y sociales. Los estudios destacan numerosos beneficios para la salud física y mental de tener un perro, incluida la disminución de la presión arterial y la disminución del riesgo de depresión, lo que fortalece el vínculo entre los perros y sus dueños.

Los perros se encuentran entre los animales domésticos más antiguos y extendidos, y su domesticación se remonta a entre 15.000 y 30.000 años. Han desempeñado diversas funciones, como la caza, el pastoreo, la vigilancia y el compañerismo. Sin embargo, muchos incidentes de mordeduras de perros son el resultado de un cuidado y manejo inadecuados por parte de los propietarios. Factores como el entrenamiento, la socialización y la supervisión insuficientes pueden conducir a un comportamiento agresivo o basado en el miedo en los perros, lo que resulta en mordeduras. Los propietarios deben proporcionar ejercicio adecuado, socialización, estimulación mental y reconocer los signos de agresión, buscando ayuda profesional si es necesario.

La tenencia responsable de perros implica la creación de un entorno seguro, la atención veterinaria regular y la alimentación y el ejercicio adecuados. Es una responsabilidad importante, que requiere el compromiso de prevenir incidentes de mordeduras de perro y garantizar el bienestar del perro. Al adoptar un perro, es crucial considerar el tamaño, el nivel de energía, las necesidades de aseo, el temperamento y los costos y el compromiso de tiempo involucrados. Adoptar de refugios u organizaciones de rescate es beneficioso, pero hay que tener cuidado, especialmente cuando se adoptan perros grandes con mucha energía o problemas de comportamiento. Estos perros pueden necesitar entrenamiento y manejo adicionales.

Para aquellos que adoptan perros grandes, comprender las capacidades físicas y los niveles de compromiso es clave. Es posible que se necesite ayuda profesional para la capacitación y la gestión. Es vital investigar diferentes razas para encontrar una pareja adecuada para el estilo de vida de uno.

Se necesita especial atención cuando se adoptan perros que están nerviosos o tienen un historial de abuso o negligencia. Es posible que requieran paciencia adicional, capacitación y un entorno seguro. Comprender y abordar sus problemas de comportamiento, posiblemente con ayuda profesional, es crucial. La seguridad de todos los miembros del hogar y de la comunidad es primordial. Continue reading

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Las lesiones físicas tienen un efecto dominó en nuestras vidas ordenadas. Después de una lesión, primero viene el dolor, luego la necesidad de atención médica y luego vienen las facturas médicas.  Contratar a un buen abogado de lesiones personales es un paso importante para descubrir y asegurar la evidencia y para garantizar que la deuda médica no afecte negativamente la solvencia.

El torrente de facturas médicas comienza muy pronto después del tratamiento médico por lesiones personales. Una visita a la sala de emergencias generalmente resulta en al menos dos facturas: una de la sala de emergencias y otra del médico de la sala de emergencias.  Si el médico de la sala de emergencias ordena radiografías, los radiólogos enviarán una tercera factura por leer las películas. Si el médico de urgencias necesita una consulta con un especialista, el especialista enviará la cuarta factura de la consulta.  Si una ambulancia llevó a la víctima de lesiones personales a la sala de emergencias, el viaje en ambulancia generará una quinta factura del día.  El tratamiento adicional para las lesiones trae más y más facturas, pérdida de salarios, disminución en el puntaje de crédito y pérdida de la tranquilidad.  En algún momento, las personas comienzan a sentirse impotentes y perdidas y comienzan a preguntar cómo encontrar un buen abogado de lesiones personales que los ayude a resolver las facturas, los daños a la propiedad, la pérdida de salarios.  Buscan “abogado de lesiones cerca de mí” y confían en los motores de búsqueda o en la referencia de amigos o familiares para encontrar el mejor abogado de lesiones personales.  A menudo recibimos referencias de antiguos clientes que nos envían a sus amigos o familiares para que les ayudemos.

Cuando los abogados de lesiones personales de Chicago de Zneimer & Zneimer se reúnen con clientes de lesiones por primera vez, a menudo recibimos carpetas o sobres grandes llenos de facturas médicas impagas.  Organizamos las facturas cronológicamente por fecha de servicio para determinar si tenemos una imagen completa del tratamiento médico hasta la fecha.  También comenzamos a investigar los hechos del accidente para determinar si hay testigos, cámaras u otros hechos que puedan ayudar a identificar a todas las partes responsables. Investigamos la ley aplicable y el seguro de las partes responsables para determinar si existe cobertura de seguro para el accidente con lesiones personales.  A veces, las compañías de seguros pueden tener exclusiones y encontrar cobertura de seguro puede convertirse en un desafío.

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¿Qué haría un perro normal?

Según la Ley de Control de Animales de Illinois, uno puede recuperar daños por lesiones personales por el ataque de un perro solo si el perro actuó sin provocación. La provocación se mide a través de los ojos de un “perro razonable” y la pregunta es si un perro normal habría atacado al demandante.  Kirkham v. Will, 311 Ill. App.3d 787 (2nd Dist. 2003).  No importa si una persona cree que su comportamiento no fue provocativo.  La pregunta es si un  perro normal encontraría tal conducta provocativa.   Al final, los humanos deciden cuál sería la reacción de un perro normal y, por lo tanto, la pregunta es si una persona razonable debería saber que un perro normal reaccionaría al evento precipitante.

La carga de probar la falta de provocación recae en la víctima de la mordedura de perro. La ley no distingue entre provocación intencionada o no intencionada: la provocación involuntaria puede provocar a un perro.

The bicycle lawyers of  Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. in Chicago, have observed a concerning trend in the increasing use of electric bikes (e-bikes) and the corresponding rise in injuries. Bike paths and lanes, once tranquil routes for cyclists, are transforming into high-speed thoroughfares, rife with risks. E-bikes, capable of speeds that rival motor vehicles, are not only challenging for the riders themselves but also pose significant dangers to traditional bicyclists.

The change in bike path dynamics is notable. Cyclists are now navigating a more complex environment, where they must manage high-speed e-bikes passing by, while also dealing with parked cars on one side and traffic on the other. This situation is leading to a spike in accidents and injuries, many of which we are encountering in our practice.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s data showing a significant increase in micromobility-related emergency visits is alarming. These injuries often mirror those seen in motorcycle accidents, both in severity and complexity.

BIcycle-in-Pothole-300x300The Illinois Supreme Court issued its decision in Alave v. City of Chicago. This case holds implications for the rights and safety of bicyclists in urban areas. Our team of bicycle injury lawyers at Zneimer & Zneimer represents bicyclists injured by potholes and has litigated issues of municipal liability when a person is injured on a street, sidewalk, or an alley.  The law makes a distinction between intended and permitted user and does not recognize right of recovery for users on the road who are considered permitted but not intended.  Thus a bicyclist who is not on a bike path or bike designated street has no recourse against the city for damages caused by defect on the street because the law deems such bicyclists permitted but not intended users.

In the case, Clark Alave was riding his own bicycle near a Divvy bicycle sharing station when he hit a pothole, resulting in permanent injuries. The complaint alleged that the City was negligent in its maintenance of the roadway, which led to the formation of the pothole that caused Alave’s accident. The City, in its defense, argued that the specific roadway where the accident occurred was not intended for bicycle use, as it was not a designated bicycle route and lacked signs or markings for bicyclists​​.

Initially, the City of Chicago won a motion to dismiss, arguing that Clark Alave was a permitted user only and that the city is immune from liability for his injuries. The appellate court overturned the circuit court’s decision, considering several factors.  According to the court, City ordinances against sidewalk cycling implied that cyclists were expected to use the road. The presence of a Divvy bike station suggested the city’s endorsement of road use by cyclists in that area.

However, the Illinois Supreme Court ultimately reversed the appellate court’s decision, focusing on the lack of specific markings or signs indicating intended bicycle use on the road in question.  The Illinois Supreme Court focused on determining whether the plaintiff, a bicyclist, was an intended user of the roadway where he was injured. The Court examined the roadway’s physical characteristics, signage, and markings to assess the city’s intent. Ultimately, the Court concluded that without specific indicators like bike lanes or signs denoting intended bicycle use, the bicyclist was not an intended user under the Local Governmental and Governmental Employees Tort Immunity Act, thus negating the city’s liability for the plaintiff’s injuries. This decision highlights the complexities surrounding municipal liability and road safety for cyclists. It emphasizes the need for clear indications of intended road use for bicyclists, such as designated bike lanes or signs.

The Illinois Supreme Court followed its precedent in  Boub v. Township of Wayne, which established that the intended use of a roadway is determined by physical manifestations such as signs, markings, and other indications. This precedent was crucial in determining whether a bicyclist is considered an intended user of a roadway, impacting the municipality’s duty to maintain the road safely for that use. The Court’s analysis in Alave v. City of Chicago heavily relied on this precedent to assess the intended use and corresponding municipal responsibility. Continue reading

Dog-bite-and-trauma1-300x300While dog bites are often considered in terms of their physical impact, it is crucial to acknowledge the psychological trauma they can inflict. As a leading law firm in Chicago, Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. emphasizes the importance of understanding both the physical and emotional repercussions of dog bites and the role of legal representation in addressing these challenges.

Recent studies have delved into the long-term effects of dog bites, revealing that they can lead to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe anxiety, especially in children. The trauma of a dog attack can result in lasting fears, nightmares, and emotional distress. This impact is often underestimated but can be as debilitating as the physical injuries themselves.

For victims of dog bites, therapy is a critical component of the recovery process. It helps address the psychological sequelae, including PTSD, anxiety, and other fear-induced responses. However, the costs of therapy and medical treatments can be a significant burden. This is where the role of a personal injury lawyer becomes vital. Law firms like Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. help victims navigate the legal process to secure compensation for both medical and therapeutic treatments.

In cases of dog bites, identifying and holding the responsible party accountable is essential. Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. investigates these incidents, ensuring that the dog owner is identified and held responsible for the expenses incurred due to the bite, including therapy costs. This legal intervention is crucial for victims, particularly those without health insurance, as it helps in accessing necessary treatments without financial strain.

Apart from the direct medical expenses, dog bites can lead to indirect costs such as time lost from work or school, medications, and other related expenditures. The legal expertise of firms like Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. ensures that all these aspects are considered when seeking compensation, providing a comprehensive approach to addressing the consequences of a dog bite. Continue reading

In the bustling city of Chicago, the issue of dog bites has become increasingly complex. As a well-known Chicago personal injury law firm, Zneimer & Zneimer P.C. is at the forefront of addressing challenges as a result of dog bites. The increasing incidence of dog bites and their complexities highlight why expert legal representation is essential.

Dog bites can result in severe injuries, with the “hole and tear” effect of canine teeth causing significant damage, especially in younger victims. The biting force of dogs varies significantly, with some breeds capable of exerting extreme force. This can lead to large wounds, significant tissue damage, and, unfortunately, high mortality rates in severe cases, particularly among neonates.

Dog-bite-germs2-300x300One of the critical concerns in dog bite cases is the risk of infection. Injuries are often sutured when they should be left open, and there’s a challenge in administering the correct antimicrobial prophylaxis. Dog bite-related infections can be severe and polymicrobial, involving pathogens like Pasteurella and Bacteroides spp. This complexity necessitates a nuanced approach to treatment and underscores the need for precise legal understanding and representation in these cases.

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