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Bicycle Accident

Man Charged in Hit-and-Run Bicycle Death in Waukegan

bicycle deathA man has been charged in the hit-and-run bicycle death of Vere Joel Day in north suburban Waukegan, IL.

SUV Driver Kills Bicycle Rider, Flees Scene

On September 19, 2019, at approximately 10:45 p.m., 60-year-old Vere Joel Day was riding a bicycle near Jackson Street and 8th Street in Waukegan when he was struck by a 2006 Cadillac SUV. The SUV then left the scene. The Waukegan Police were called to the site of the crash shortly thereafter, where they found the bicyclist lying unresponsive in the street. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators later found the Cadillac SUV involved in the bicycle death and identified 34-year-old Chance D. Presley of North Chicago as the driver. He was arrested and charged with one count of leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

The driver is being held at the Lake County Jail on $750,000.00 bail and is due to appear in court on Oct. 15. At the time of his arrest for the hit-and-run bicycle death, Chance Presley was also wanted on two Lake County warrants for failure to appear in court.

Bicycle Injuries Rising as Cycling Becoming More Popular

In the increasingly densely populated Chicagoland area, many residents have turned to bicycles as a means of transportation. According to census figures, the percentage of Chicagoans riding their bicycles to work rose from 0.7 percent in 2005 to 1.8 percent in 2015. But this rise in cycling brings with it increased risk. More bicycles on the road can understandably lead to a greater frequency of bicycle accidents, a fact borne out by statistical evidence. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, bicycle accidents have increased throughout the state, up to 1,720 in 2015 compared to 1,634 the previous year.

These numbers are especially troubling because crashes involving people on bicycles are potentially more dangerous than crashes involving other forms of transportation. With no protective metal frame surrounding him or her, as in riders in cars and trucks, a bicyclist is more exposed to direct contact with other vehicles, obstacles, and the road itself, so he or she could face a greater likelihood of serious injury in a collision.

Let a Chicago Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help You

If you have been wrongfully injured while riding a bicycle, you might benefit from seeking the counsel of an experienced legal professional who knows the applicable law regarding bicycles so that you can maximize the value of any personal injury settlement, like the Chicago bicycle accident lawyers at GWC Injury Lawyers.

With more than $2 billion recovered for our clients over more than four decades in the business, GWC is one of the leading Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation law firms in Illinois. Our injury attorneys have the experience, the determination, and the proven record of success you need to get the justice you deserve.

Please contact GWC today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a lawyer. Call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time.

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