Just last week a Chicago injury lawyer at Abels & Annes entered into an agreement to represent a bike rider that was injured on the Lakefront Trail. She was struck by a taxicab that failed to stop at a stop sign near Soldier Field.
Authorities hope the first comprehensive study of Lakefront Trail in more than a decade could reduce the number of serious Chicago bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents that occur during peak congestion, the Sun-Times reported.
Safety advocates are looking to determine the busiest times and spots on the trail. More than 100 Active Transportation Alliance volunteers counted pedestrians, in-line skaters and cyclists at 30 trail locations last week, including entry points along Lake Shore Drive.”We all know it’s busy,” said Gia Biagi, the Chicago Park District’s director of planning. However, “we wanted to really establish quantitatively, ‘What is the usership?’ ”
As officials determine how the path is utilized by commuters and recreational users, they will be seeking strategies to make the path safer and more efficient. Last summer, the Sun-Times reported that crashes on the path occur quite frequently but are not specifically tracked.
Chicago pedestrian accidents killed 52 and injured more than 3,200 in 2008, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Five cyclists were killed and more than 1,700 were injured in Chicago bicycle accidents.
City leaders say the analysis is not motivated by safety issues, but rather the need for maintenance and improvements, including trail widening.
If you or a loved one has been injured in bicycle or pedestrian accident in Chicago, contact Abels & Annes for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.