If you regularly ride a bicycle near traffic, whether you enjoy getting exercise or you ride a bike to work, it is important to understand the risks you face and the potential consequences of an accident. Moreover, if you suffered an injury in such a collision, go over some of the legal options that could help you recover, not only from a physical and emotional viewpoint but in terms of your finances as well.
Sadly, many bicyclists suffer serious setbacks as a result of negligent drivers.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation reports that during 2019, 601 pedalcyclists suffered injuries in traffic accidents. During the same year, 18 pedalcyclists lost their lives and 642 accidents involving pedalcyclists took place on roads throughout the state. In 2018, 17 pedalcyclists died in traffic accidents.
Moreover, 27% of pedalcyclists who died in 2019 were between the ages of 60 and 69.
In New Hanover County, 50 bicyclists suffered nonfatal injuries in traffic collisions during 2019. During 2018, 36 nonfatal injury crashes involving bicyclists took place. In 2017, three bicyclists lost their lives in bike accidents in New Hanover County, while two died during 2018 and one died in 2019.
Bicycle accidents occur for many reasons, from drivers who fail to pay attention to the road because they use their phones behind the wheel to poor weather, alcohol intoxication and speeding. If you or a loved one sustained an injury in a bike crash due to a reckless driver, make sure you carefully evaluate the details of what took place and strategies to recover.