Cyclist Fatalities in Illinois

 Posted on November 24,2014 in Personal Injury

Traveling by any means of transportation includes safety risks, but some modes are more dangerous than others. Transportation by foot, motorcycle, or bicycle carries its own set of specific risks, especially when compared to traveling by or among vehicles. Riders and walkers who find themselves in an accident with a car are often met with devastating results. These statistics are likely especially apparent in larger cities where alternative means of transportation are more common, and there are more people traveling on the streets. According to a news article recently published, Chicago is evidently no exception. The state of Illinois as a whole ranks among the top states for bicycle deaths in the United States.

Bicycle Fatalities

In a report released October 27, 2014, the Governors Highway Safety Administration revealed that Illinois is among the top states for bicycle deaths. The finding was part of the Administration's Spotlight on Highway Safety Bicyclist Safety report and had Illinois ranked fifth in the nation for highest number of cyclist fatalities. Further, the report found that the total number of bicycle deaths is on the rise, with the numbers increasing by about 16 percent between the year 2010 and 2012. The most recent data was compiled using numbers from 2012. Between 2010 and 2012, the state of Illinois reported a total of 80 bicycle-related deaths. In the year 2010, 24 fatalities were reported, 27 were reported in 2011, and 2012 saw 29 such tragedies. The data was based on the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the numbers were then reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Safety Concerns

Representatives from the Active Transportation Alliance said the numbers from the report provide further evidence that the streets and bike paths located within the state of Illinois are dangerous for bike riders. They say the data shows just how vulnerable members of the public are when they choose to travel by bicycle. The Active Transportation Alliance is an organization whose goal it is to make alternative modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and public transportation safer.

The Alliance stated that it will continue to work to improve conditions for bike riders as it has done in the past. It is dedicated to reducing the number of all traffic fatalities to zero, since it takes the position that all traffic-related accidents are preventable.

Accident Injury Attorney

Traffic accidents can have devastating consequences, particularly those that involve a collision between a car and a pedestrian or bike rider. If you or someone you know was injured in an accident as the result of someone else's negligence, you may have important legal rights that require protection. The experienced Illinois personal injury attorneys at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices have represented clients in personal injury cases for years, and possess the knowledge and expertise to assist you. Please feel free to contact us today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. We have offices located in Naperville, Bloomingdale, and Lombard.