Family of The Divvy Cyclist Killed By Truck Has Filed Lawsuit

A 25-year-old Chicago woman was killed last month when her Divvy bike collided with a flatbed truck. Her parents recently filed a lawsuit against the truck driver and his employer alleging negligence.

Divvy, launched in 2013, is a new bike sharing system featuring thousands of bikes available 24/7 at hundreds of stations in the Chicago area. Each station has a kiosk, station map, and docking system that releases bikes using a code. Renters must be at least 16 to ride.

In the surveillance video, a large flatbed truck can been seen pulling up to the light at the intersection. Several seconds later, the bicyclist rides up on the right. As she flanks the side of the truck, the driver turns right, hitting her. The woman was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, where she died a short time later. Police said she was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, which remains under investigation.

According to the lawsuit, the truck driver failed to keep a proper lookout for bicyclists, failed to yield the right of way, and failed to reduce his speed. The lawsuit also names Divvy, the city of Chicago and the city's Department of Transportation as respondents in discovery, meaning they have information essential to the case, according to Jeffrey Kroll, attorney for the plaintiff.

Additionally, this crash brings renewed calls for change. There are no bike lanes at most busy intersections in the Chicago area, which local residents say has been the sight of many accidents. With a push for bike-sharing and more riders on the road, the city has been investing heavily in barrier- and buffer-protected bicycle lanes and hundreds of miles of designated bike routes, but they are still lacking in some areas, including Avondale where the crash occurred. “If we cannot find a way to safely accommodate bikes on busy roadways, this will not be the last tragedy of this nature," said Kroll. “One of the things we want to determine from not only the city of Chicago but also from Divvy is what is your plan moving forward so these vehicles and bicyclists can peacefully coexist," he said. Filing a lawsuit isn’t always about the money. Like this family, many people bring lawsuits to force change. A lawsuit can help prevent tragedy, promote safety, and make sure others do not suffer similar pain.

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