$4.5 Million Settlement Reached in Fatal Injury to Bicyclist

In a confidential report of this case, Mr. Doe, 47, was riding his bicycle to work in a designated bicycle lane when he was struck by a truck driven by the defendant, Roe Waste Hauling Co. The driver of Roe Waste Hauling was attempting to make a right turn into a driveway directly in front of Mr. Doe. Mr. Doe’s bicycle struck the side of the truck causing him to fall under its rear wheels. Mr. Doe died from these injuries. He had been a professor, earning approximately $85,000 per year, and was survived by his wife to whom he was recently married.

Mr. Doe’s wife sued the waste hauling company alleging that it was liable for its driver’s choosing not to avoid the collision while turning into the bike lane.

The defendant argued that Mr. Doe had been riding too fast and failed to pay attention to traffic conditions, including the garbage truck and its flashing lights.

The defendant also argued that sun glare had prevented the driver from seeing Mr. Doe in his rearview mirror, a contention that the plaintiff refuted by examining the subject truck at the scene on the first anniversary of the incident.

Before a trial, the parties reached a confidential settlement at mediation for $4.5 million.

The attorneys successfully handling this tragic case were Bruce M. Brusavich and Anna Cronk Small.

In the discovery process during the pendency of the case, the Doe attorneys engaged experts in accident reconstruction, human factors, truck safety and economics.

Doe v. Roe Waste Hauling Co., Confidential docket (2018).

Kreisman Law Offices has been handling bicycle accident lawsuits, wrongful death cases, truck accident lawsuits, car accident cases and motorcycle lawsuits for individuals, families and loved ones who have been injured, harmed or killed by the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 40 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Lemont, Long Grove, Mundelein, Schaumburg, Schiller Park, Bensenville, Wilmette, Winnetka, Northfield, Glenview, Vernon Hills, Wheeling, Chicago (Polish Village, Logan Square, Wicker Park, Ukrainian Village, Little Italy, Brighton Park, Back of the Yards, Washington Park, Woodlawn, Burnside, Lake Calumet, Pullman, Washington Heights, East Side, Rogers Park, Andersonville), Oak Park, Cicero, Stickney, Bedford Park and Chicago Ridge, Ill.