Elizabeth Shambrook Killed In Chicago Semi-Truck Accident By Leland Avenue and Winthrop Avenue

Truck Accident - June 27, 2022

Elizabeth Shambrook, Who Went By Lily Grace, Died In Uptown, Chicago Bicycle Accident Involving Semi-Truck By The Intersection of Leland Avenue and Winthrop Avenue

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (June 26, 2022) – A 3-year-old girl identified as Elizabeth Shambrook, who went by Lily Grace, died in a Chicago semi-truck accident by Leland Avenue and Winthrop Avenue.

Cook County police officials are saying that the accident took place around 8:51 a.m. on Thursday. A mother was riding a bicycle with her 3-year-old daughter Elizabeth Grace Shambrook when she was hit by a semi-truck while passing an illegally parked ComEd truck.

The mother and child were knocked off of the bicycle following the collision. Firefighters and paramedics were called to the scene of the collision in order to help all of the victims.

Sadly, Elizabeth Shambrook was pronounced dead at the scene. A number of people have expressed outrage and frustration at companies like ComEd for parking their vehicles in bicycle lanes.

Neighbors are also saying that they want to see more done by the city to protect cyclists. A full investigation into the tragic death of Elizabeth Shambrook remains ongoing at this time.

Liability In Chicago Semi-Truck Accidents

Thousands of bicyclists are killed or seriously injured every year in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control, “Nearly 1,000 bicyclists die and over 130,000 are injured in crashes that occur on roads in the United States every year. The costs of bicycle injuries and deaths from crashes typically exceed $23 billion in the United States each year.” Elderly people and young children tend to be at the greatest risk of being seriously injured or killed in bicycle accidents. Semi-trucks can be particularly dangerous to bicyclists for a number of reasons.

Semi-trucks have large blind spots that can obscure the presence of bicyclists.
Semi-trucks have a large turning radius that increases the odds of side-impact collisions.
Semi-trucks have a high center of gravity which makes under-ride collisions more likely.

Depending on the facts of any case, there could be numerous sources of liability for a bicycle accident. The owner of a truck that was parked alongside the road illegally could potentially face civil liability for a crash. If an illegally parked truck was the proximate cause of a person’s injuries, this could form the basis of a negligence claim. For example, an illegally parked truck could have created an obstructed line of sight at an intersection.

Semi-truck drivers will need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL). They are held to a high standard in terms of safety. They must scan the road ahead of them and take action to avoid causing accidents. Pursuant to Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/11-601), no person driving a motor vehicle shall drive at a speed greater than what would be reasonable and safe given the prevailing conditions of the roadway. Truck drivers should slow down when they see pedestrians or bicyclists nearby that could potentially become a hazard.

If a truck driver was working at the time of a collision, the company that they were working for could be held at fault. Generally speaking, companies are liable for the wrongful acts of their employees – insofar as those employees were working within the course and scope of their job duties. For example, a truck driver may have been delivering packages when they hit a bicyclist. There are a number of steps that should be taken after any semi-truck accident.

Surveillance footage should be sought.
Medical records should be preserved.
Eye witnesses should be interviewed.
The truck driver’s logbook should be reviewed.

The family of any victim that died in a semi-truck accident may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. Sadly, though, truck companies will often fight extremely hard to deny liability for any collision. This is why evidence is so important. A bicycle safety advocate can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.

Investigating A Chicago Semi-Truck Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates extend our deepest condolences to the family of Elizabeth Shambrook. Any person that may have more information about what happened should reach out to investigators. There needs to be some accountability for the sake of the victim’s family. It is our sincere hope that city officials will heed the advice of neighbors at the accident site and take action to protect bicyclists.

Do you need more information about a Chicago semi-truck accident? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of bicycle safety advocates are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.