Chicago, IL – Paresh Chhatrala Identified as Victim in Deadly Bicycle Accident on Madison St

Chicago, IL (April 22, 2022) – A man who sustained critical injuries in a hit-and-run wreck that took place last week on Chicago’s Near West Side died on Wednesday, April 20, according to city police.

Coroners have now identified the victim as 42-year-old Paresh Chhatrala.

Officers with the Chicago Police Department reported that Chhatrala was traveling on his bicycle and heading west on Madison Street, close to Aberdeen Street, around 10:15 p.m. Shortly thereafter, the driver of a silver Volkswagen Jetta moving past the intersection struck him.

First responders rushed Chhatrala to Stroger Hospital by ambulance in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday, police said.

The alleged at-fault driver, 30-year-old Courtney Bertucci, attempted to flee the scene but was stopped by several bystanders. Authorities added that Bertucci may have swerved to avoid a metal plate in the road before hitting Chhatrala.

Bertucci was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, one felony count for possession of a controlled substance, and one misdemeanor count for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Additional charges are pending, officers stated, and their investigation remains active at this time.

We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family of Paresh Chhatrala.

Fatal Bicycle Accidents in Illinois

Bicycle accidents occur all too frequently throughout Chicago and pose a severe concern to authorities across the metro area. In fact, an average of about six bicyclists died each year between 2012 and 2019 in Chicago, per state data. Moreover, the rate of these deadly incidents is increasing.

Officials with the City of Chicago say nine bicyclists were killed in 2020, despite less traffic on the roads due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And in 2021, 10 bicyclists died, almost all of whom were struck and killed by motorists. Adding insult to injury, the overwhelming majority of these crashes are preventable and are generally caused by speeding or distracted drivers.

Even worse, bicyclists are some of the most vulnerable parties on our roads. Often, bicyclists involved in vehicle accidents suffer critical injuries, from TBIs to significant scarring, broken bones, and more. These victims may have to undergo emergency surgery or painful medical treatment that requires weeks or even months in recovery.

Unfortunately, many of these bicyclists die from the injuries they sustain. And when these victims are killed in an accident that’s occurred through no fault of their own, their mourning family members are left to cope with devastating emotional trauma and severe financial consequences.

Thankfully, if you’ve sustained injuries or lost a loved one in a bicycle accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may have a number of legal options to move forward. When you’ve lost a loved one in a preventable accident, contact a car accident attorney in Chicago as soon as possible.

Wrongful Death Attorney in Chicago

Generally, a wrongful death suit in Illinois is filed by the executor of the decedent’s estate, typically a family member or next of kin. Under the Illinois Wrongful Death Act, a lawsuit for wrongful death can be based on any neglectful or wrongful act resulting in a fatality. Provided that a suit is successful, compensation is then awarded to family members and any dependents.

Because a wrongful death claim must be filed within two years from the date of the death in most cases, it’s essential for family and other representatives to contact an attorney as soon as they can after a fatal accident.

At the D&W Law Group, we believe grieving families should never have to cope with this process alone. When you get in touch with our skilled, experienced legal team, we will ensure your claim is filed in a timely manner. Our lawyers will stop at nothing to fight for the fair, full monetary award you deserve when you’ve lost a loved one in a preventable accident.

Furthermore, we work with seasoned professionals to build a solid case and hold negligent parties accountable. When you work with our attorneys, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands.

If the negligent or wrongful conduct of another party resulted in the death of your loved one, don’t hesitate to retain the legal counsel you deserve. Please contact the D&W Law Group at 312-888-8888 for a personal consultation tailored to your needs, all at no cost. Our dedicated and compassionate Chicago wrongful death attorneys are ready to help you seek justice and the full compensation to which you’re entitled.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources including news reports, police accident reports, social media posts, and sometimes, eyewitness accounts to compose these posts. Our firm has not independently verified any of the facts surrounding this particular accident, therefore, if you locate any information that is not correct, please let us know right away. We will correct the post to reflect the most accurate information available. We will remove a post upon request. 

Disclaimer: This is not a solicitation for business.  The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal advice or medical advice. If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, always seek medical assistance as soon as possible. The photo used in this post was not taken at the described accident scene.