During the summer, there are many kids and teens on the streets in Chicago. They are taking part in various activities including bicycling. Drivers must be aware of them when they are sharing the road. However, bicycle accidents happen and they frequently cause serious injuries and fatalities. To make these circumstances worse, the driver might decide to flee the scene rather than stay to make sure the rider is safe or to call for emergency assistance if it is needed. Those who have been impacted by injuries or lost a loved one in a bicycle crash should understand what steps to take in the aftermath.
A 13-year-old boy was hit by a van as he rode his bicycle. The accident happened in the evening shortly before 7 p.m. The van and the bicycle were both heading in the same direction on the road. The rider was in the bicycle lane. After hitting the child, the driver took off. The rider later died. A license plate fell off the van and law enforcement examined surveillance video. They identified the van and found its 40-year-old driver, arresting him. The driver faces charges of fleeing an accident with injury or death and not reporting an accident with injury or death. These are felonies. There are other charges due to this incident. The child was adhering to the bicycle laws at the time of the crash.
Bicyclists are inherently vulnerable to injuries and loss of life in a collision with a motor vehicle. This is especially true if it is a child. Even following all the legal requirements and wearing safety equipment might not be enough to avoid brain trauma, spinal cord damage, broken bones and other serious injuries. If the crash is bad enough, the rider can be killed. Major medical expenses, the need to long-term care and other challenges are common. With a fatality, the family must think about the emotional, personal and financial loss they will face.
To move forward with a claim, it can be beneficial to have help from a firm that is experienced in motor vehicle accidents and cares about its clients. There are a seemingly endless number of issues that will come up after an accident and people can feel overwhelmed. A firm that goes above and beyond in representing its clients can negotiate with insurance companies for a settlement or move forward with a trial. A consultation can provide information for those who have been hurt or lost a loved one in a bicycle accident as this family unfortunately did.