Eastern NC Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Given the nation’s increasing attention to exercise and green transportation, it is no surprise that bicycles are more popular than ever. North Carolina is an especially attractive region for cyclists, with ample back roads and temperatures that allow year-round riding. The NC State Department of Transportation has designed several bike routes, including several that reach North Carolina’s northeastern counties and the state's coastal communities.
The Tar Heel state may be a haven for cyclists, but unfortunately accidents involving bicyclists occur. These collisions often result in serious injury to bicyclists. Our attorney, Danny Glover, Jr., is an avid competitive road cyclist, having raced on a team out of Virginia Beach for many years, and he is especially empathetic to the victims of bicycle accidents and is extremely knowledgeable about all types of bicycling. Danny Glover, Jr., previously served as the elected Chair of the AutoTorts Section of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and for six years served on the Board of Governors and other various boards and committees of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, the personal injury attorneys of Teague & Glover can help you obtain compensation for medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Elizabeth City serves all of Northeastern North Carolina, including Elizabeth City, Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Corolla, Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Manteo, Hertford, Edenton, Camden, Currituck County and all of the Outer Banks. Contact us for a thorough case evaluation by calling 888-593-3940 or by filling out one of our online forms.
According to data released for the year 2007 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 43,000 bicyclists were injured and 698 were killed in traffic accidents. Each year in North Carolina more than 900 bicyclists are involved in police-reported crashes with motor vehicles. Around 20 cyclists are killed each year and another 60 are seriously injured, with children and young adults being the most frequent victims. As if those numbers were not high enough, it is widely believed that the number of bicycle injuries is under reported because the majority of such injuries are not serious enough to require medical attention.
It is an unfortunate fact that many motorists fail to share the road with bicyclists, unaware that NC law specifically defines bicycles as vehicles. Thus, bicyclists have the same rights and duties as motorists. Many accidents happen because the motorist is distracted or is not paying attention to the bicyclist. Accidents often occur because a motorist:
- Turns directly in front of a moving bicycle.
- Fails to allow adequate space when following or passing a bicycle.
- Pulls onto the roadway without looking in both directions.
- Fails to see the bicyclist due to the time of day or weather conditions.
Of course, bicycles are very vulnerable on the road due to their small size. The lack of physical protection provided by bicycles leaves their riders highly susceptible to serious injury and even death in the event of an accident. Common injuries include head injuries, spinal cord injuries, back injuries, broken bones and road rash.
When a motorist fails to exercise a reasonable amount of care and is responsible for a bicycle accident, the bicyclist is entitled to compensation. This compensation may include damage to the bicycle, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If an accident is fatal, the bicyclist’s family or dependants may have grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit.
Determining fault in a bicycle accident can be difficult. It is important to understand the applicable laws and know how to gather information to establish a liability claim. The bicycle accident lawyers of Teague & Glover will help you protect your rights. We are familiar with bicycle traffic laws and the various causes of bicycle-car collisions. If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, contact our bicycle accident attorneys today.
