Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog

Electric scooters have been promoted in many cities and towns as an efficient way to take short trips without having to use a car.  But with increased usage, studies have shown a surge in electric scooter injuries.  The Chicago injury lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer P.C.  have been handling scooter injury cases since scooter companies began operating recently in Chicago.  The statistics have been striking.  A JAMA Network Open study revealed that there has been an increase of 222% rise in injuries between 2014 and 2018 alone with about 14,651 scooter injures reported in the United States.  NCBI research has shown that 80% of scooter injuries were cause by falls, 11% were collision with objects like curbs and 9% were cause with collisions with other vehicles.  Sadly, there have been 29 confirmed scooter deaths since 2018.

The Chicago Department of Transportation has been pushing the concept of “micromobility” and has been encouraging the expansion of scooter programs in Chicago. The major players in the electric scooter market are Divvy, Lime, Spin and Superpedestrian.  These companies combined have already logged millions of rides in Chicago.  The City of Chicago has implemented some regulations to make scooter use safer. Some of the rules are as follows:

•       Scooters cannot be operated on sidewalks

When bikers wear dark clothes, it’s much harder for drivers to see the bicyclist, especially at night. This is because dark colors absorb light, while light colors reflect it. So, when a bicyclist wears dark clothes, they are basically blending in with the background, which makes it difficult for drivers to see a bicyclist coming.

The Chicago bicycle lawyers of Zneimer & Zneimer are aware of a peer-reviewed study that found that cyclists wearing dark clothing are more likely to be involved in a crash at night than cyclists wearing light clothing.  The study also found that not all reflective clothing or equipment works the same.  According to the study, “Drivers recognised more cyclists wearing the reflective vest plus reflectors (90%) than the reflective vest alone (50%), fluorescent vest (15%) or black clothing (2%). Older drivers recognised the cyclists less often than younger drivers (51% vs 27%). ”  The study’s findings suggest that “reflective ankle and knee markings are particularly valuable at night, while fluorescent clothing is not. Cyclists wearing fluorescent clothing may be at particular risk if they incorrectly believe themselves to be conspicuous to drivers at night.”

Therefore, bicyclists who drive in the dark, should buy reflective ankle and knee markings at a minimum, in addition with reflective clothing.  Bicyclists should wear reflective clothing. Reflective materials help drivers see the bicyclists at night, even in low-light conditions.

Chicago is a city that says it loves its bikes. Chicago has over 1,800 miles of bike lanes and paths. But with so many cyclists on the road riding alongside automobiles, it is important to keep in mind the rules of the road and to share the space safely.

The Chicago personal injury attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer have seen an increase in injuries to bikers.  Many of these injuries could have been prevented if drivers and bicyclists keep certain safety rules in mind.

Drivers should obey the speed limit, especially in areas with bike lanes.  Bicyclists are more vulnerable to injury in a collision and their injuries tend to be very serious.  Therefore, drivers must look for cyclists before turning or changing lanes.  Additionally, drivers should signal their intention to give cyclists time to react to the automobile movements. Chicago law requires drivers to leave at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist, to give the cyclists enough room to maneuver safely.  Drivers should not park in a bike lane as this is both illegal and dangerous for bicyclists. Continue reading

In personal injury cases and the legal field in general, it is crucial to look for and understand the relevant definitions. This is because the precise meaning of words and phrases can greatly impact the interpretation of laws, statutes, and court decisions. By thoroughly examining and understanding the definitions, the Chicago personal injury attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer  can make more accurate and persuasive arguments to support our clients’ claims.  For example, not long ago, the Illinois Supreme Court had to face the issue whether the definition of  “low speed gas bicycle” is constitutionally vague and whether a bicycle that does not meet the definition as in fact not a bicycle.

The case arose when State of Illinois charged a bicyclists with driving a motor vehicle with a revoked license.  The defendant, John Plank was driving a gas bicycle and he argued that his bicycle was not a motor vehicle. A police officer  observed John Plank riding a motorized bicycle down a Douglas County road at a speed of 26 miles per hour. According to the officer’s testimony, motorized bikes were allowed to travel up to 19 miles per hour, and upon reaching 20 miles per hour, they require a valid driver’s license, insurance, and registration. The officer described Plank’s bicycle as powered by “a weed-eater motor” and noted that it was not registered in Illinois. Although the bicycle had pedals in addition to its gasoline motor, the officer testified that he did not see Plank pedaling.  The police officer signaled for Plank to stop, and Plank admitted that his license was revoked.

Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular as a mode of transportation in Chicago due to their eco-friendliness and convenience. However, they can be dangerous if not used properly. According to a study by Reuters, there were 3,075 e-bike injuries in the US in 2018 alone.

If you’re involved in an electric bike accident and you’re not at fault, you may be able to recover financially for your injuries. Some of the damages that you may be able to recover are compensatory damages that include anything lost due to the accident including payment for medical bills current and future.

If you’re considering purchasing or renting  an electric bike, it’s important to keep in mind that they can reach high speeds. This means that if you’re involved in an accident while riding one, it can be more severe than if you were on a regular bike.  If you’re ever involved in an electric bike accident and need legal assistance, the personal injury lawyers of Zneimer and Zneimer may be able to help you.