Bicyclist Standing With His Bike Was Hit by a Car, But Jury Finds for Motorist

On June 3, 2011, Thomas Schrey alleged that he was standing with his bike at the corner of 55th Street and Western Avenue in Clarendon Hills, Ill.  Schrey said he was waiting to cross 55th Street when the defendant, Pamela Herman, was driving her car eastbound; Herman’s car left the roadway and struck Schrey and his bicycle. 

Schrey was a 65-year-old retiree and was not knocked down by the passing car. He suffered a left elbow fracture, which required open reduction internal fixation surgery.  His medical bills were $49,000.

The defendant argued that Schrey was seated on his bike on the sidewalk, chose not to look for traffic and then rode his bike into the side of Herman’s vehicle.

Herman, 53, was a teacher’s assistant who filed a counterclaim for property damage against Schrey.The jury awarded Herman the full amount of her property damage to her car, which was $1,197.  The jury found in favor of Herman as to the claim for personal injuries made by Schrey. 

The demand to settle the case before trial was $100,000.  The offer made by the defendant to settle the cases was just $2,500. 

Thomas Schrey v. Pamela Herman, No. 11 L 1042 (DuPage County, Illinois).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling bicycle accident cases, car accident cases and truck accidents for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 38 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Cicero, Clarendon Hills, Morton Grove, Wheeling, Bensenville, Bridgeview, River Grove, Oak Lawn, Alsip and Maywood, Ill.

Related blog posts:

Cook County Jury Verdict for Driver of Motor Vehicle that Collided with Bicyclist

$1.9 Million Jury Verdict Upheld by Illinois Appellate Court in Bike Accident

Cook County Jury Verdict Finds for Motorist Over Bicyclist