Bicycle Accidents

Riding a bicycle is a past time for most of us as we have grown accustomed to using motor vehicles more often than not as a method of transportation. With that being said, Charlotte does have a large number of bicycle riders in the area and that number continues to grow each year as residents become more and more interested in bicycle riding groups and long distance trips. Let’s face it, it’s happened to most of us when we’re riding down a busy Charlotte street and you see a group of bicyclists ahead. Often our first thought is “bicyclists are slowing down traffic”, but what we really need to be worried about is sharing the road with the bicyclists and taking extra precautions to avoid a potentially tragic personal injury situation.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, it’s estimated that over 500,000 bicycle accident injuries occur each year requiring some sort of medical treatment, but only 10% of are actually documented by police. It’s not known why only 10% of injuries related to bike accidents are reported, but the fact does remain that there are nearly 1,400 bicyclists that are injured on a daily basis. It should be known that bicyclists getting hit by a car makes up for over 1/3 of all bicycle accident related injuries in the United States.

Much like Pedestrian Accidents, the victims are commonly middle aged males. One difference is that children and adolescents make up more than 60% of non-fatal injuries in bicycle accidents. It’s no surprise there as children and teenagers use bicycles more often than adults on a regular basis.

Injuries We Help File Claims On Due To Bicycle Accidents

• Severe Bruising
• Broken Bones
• Concussions & Memory Loss
• Neurological, Cognitive & Developmental Issues
• Fractures & Broken Bones
• Paralysis
• Scarring
• Death

Safety Measures

While it is impossible to eradicate all injuries associated with bicycle accidents, preventative measures can be taken by both the person riding the bike as well as drivers that could lessen the chance of serious injury in the event of a bicycle vs. car collision.

• Helmets
  • Helmet Safety Laws vary across the United States, but both adults and children who wear properly fitted bicycle helmets can significantly reduce the amount of injury they receive if they are ever in a collision.
• Awareness
  • Both bicyclists and motor vehicle drivers should be extra cautious when on the road. For bicyclists, don’t assume the driver sees you or that they will follow the rules of the road. For motor vehicle operators, don’t text and drive, share the road and give bicyclists a little extra room!
• Precautions
  • Bicyclists are encouraged to wear bright and reflective clothing while biking. In addition, many manufacturers are making accessories for bikes that allow for more visibility while on the road which can prevent unnecessary bicyclists from being hit by a car.

While we know we can’t stop bicyclists from being injured as a result of inattention or negligence on the road, we believe in making people aware of the statistics involved with bicycle related accidents not just in North Carolina and South Carolina, but the whole country.

If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury as a result of getting hit by a car while on a bicycle, call us today, we’re here to help you through this often difficult journey. Serving the greater Charlotte area for 20 years, our experienced personal injury attorneys have the know how to navigate your case confidently. With convenient office locations in Charlotte, Gastonia, Hickory and Rock Hill, SC we’re just a short drive away.  For an immediate case evaluation, call us at 704-333-0885, or fill out a contact form to reach an accident attorney.  We look forward to the opportunity to help you through these tough times