North Carolina contains many popular destinations for cyclists, such as Pisgah National Forest or Lake Norman State Park in Troutman. Despite the state’s attempts to make conditions safer for cyclists, accidents and crashes still happen. It’s important to understand the common causes of bicycle accidents in North Carolina to help you avoid them.
If you do find yourself in a crash, you can hire a bicycle accident lawyer from Grimes Yeoman, PLLC, to help you obtain compensation.
What Causes North Carolina Bicycle Accidents?
Bike accidents in North Carolina often share similar causes with other locations. They can also be more common in larger cities and busier areas, with Charlotte having the most cyclist crashes in 2024. There are common causes of crashes to keep an eye out for.
Right Hook Crashes
These collisions occur when a car turns right, often while turning on red, and enters the path of an oncoming cyclist. Drivers can use turn signals and double-check their side and rear mirrors to confirm no cyclists are approaching before turning.
Getting Doored
Unfortunately, getting “doored” is a common occurrence for cyclists. In this situation, a car parked along the road suddenly opens its door into the path of a bicyclist, causing the cyclist to crash into the door. Even though the car is not moving, the cyclist can still face extreme injuries. Drivers should always check for oncoming cyclists before opening a door into the street.
Low Visibility
Many bike crashes occur at night or during other low-light periods. A lack of streetlights can worsen this problem. Bicyclists should wear reflective clothing when biking during these times for their own safety, and when they fail to do so, they may be partially responsible for a crash.
Drive Out Accidents
Often, a driver can collide with a cyclist while pulling out of a driveway, alley, or parking space. Limited visibility might make it difficult for them to see oncoming cyclists. When cars pull out quickly, it doesn’t give a bicyclist time to react. Moving slowly and constantly checking lines of sight can help prevent these accidents.
Lack of Bike Lanes
Even though North Carolina has been creating more bike lanes and safety measures for cyclists, they’re not ubiquitous. Bicyclists riding on roads or on unstable terrain can make collisions with vehicles more likely.
Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer After a Crash
Every year, roughly 2% of all motor vehicle crash deaths are bicyclists. Even when crashes don’t result in death, they can cause significant injury, especially to cyclists, who have less protection than a car would offer.
If you’ve been in a bicycle accident, you might be eligible for compensation to help cover medical costs, lost wages, and more. Understanding North Carolina’s bike accident laws well enough to advocate for this compensation doesn’t always come easily. That’s why you can work with an experienced team that understands those laws.
At Grimes Yeoman, PLLC, our bicycle accident lawyers have a proven record of helping clients in bicycle accident cases throughout North Carolina. We pride ourselves on providing direct, personalized support to help you work towards the resolution you want in your case.
We also strive to support our local community. We do this through giving back through volunteering through non-profit organizations such as the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina.
Contact our office today to learn more about what we can offer you. Together, we can figure out a path forward that helps you recover and get back to the trails you love.
