One person has been hospitalized after a child riding an electric bicycle was struck by a vehicle on Sunday, April 16th.
According to local police, the collision took place at about 1:20 p.m. in the area of Cornerstone Drive and Davis Drive in Cary when a boy was hit by the driver of a Toyota Camry while riding his bicycle inside a marked crosswalk. The driver remained at the scene.
How common are bicycle accidents in North Carolina?
The boy was transported to a local trauma center where he currently remains. Although the nature and degree of his injuries have not been disclosed, doctors have indicated that he is expected to recover.
Responding police have ruled out alcohol and speed as factors in the incident.
If you were injured in a North Carolina bicycle accident, call the North Carolina bicycle accident attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp. We offer a free case evaluation to all potential clients and can advise you on the next steps to take if you plan on pursuing financial compensation.
Cycling in North Carolina
North Carolina has an expansive cycling network that includes prominent cities such as Wilmington, Asheville, High Point, Cary, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, and Winston-Salem.
The Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation has designated nine distinct routes that cover a total of 3,000 miles. The DOT’s website says that these designated routes offer a less heavily-traveled alternative by paralleling major highways and busy roads.
North Carolina Bicycle Accident Statistics
Every year, an estimated 960 bicycle riders in North Carolina are injured by motor vehicles, and 20 are killed, making it one of the most dangerous states for riders. An article in the Asheville Citizen-Times that cited data from the North Carolina Department of Transportation and an Insurance Business America report stated that, In 2011, North Carolina placed 10th in fatalities per million at 2.59. This put the state firmly on the list of the country’s top 10 most dangerous states for bicycle riders.
Since then, the state has shown only marginal improvement. The death rate did dip to 2.23 per million by 2013, dropping North Carolina to the 14th worst state for cyclists.
North Carolina Bicycle Accidents
The combination of North Carolina’s mild weather and varied landscape makes for outstanding bicycle riding conditions. The spring and autumn are particularly enjoyable seasons for riding along many of North Carolina’s tranquil rural roadways. The Blue Ridge Mountains offer challenging hills, the Piedmont provides beautiful, rolling countryside, and in the eastern portion of the state, riders are treated to hundreds of miles of coastal plains.
Regrettably, injured North Carolina bicycle riders will encounter some of the nation’s most unfair and archaic laws, such as the antiquated doctrine of contributory negligence. Further, fast-paced urbanization and the suburban sprawl that comes with it have put immense pressure on old farm-to-market roadways and increased hostility toward cyclists.
Talk to a Bike Accident Attorney Right Away
If you were injured in a bike accident caused by a driver’s negligence, you need to speak with a North Carolina personal injury lawyer. Depending on the severity and longevity of your injuries, you might be entitled to financial compensation.
At the law firm of Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we can guide you through the civil claims process and ensure you understand what is happening every step of the way. Schedule a free case review of your bicycle accident case with our North Carolina bicycle accident lawyers by calling our law offices at (833) 997-1774 or by filling out our contact form online.