Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Charlotte

Helping Clients Obtain Restitution against Careless Drivers

According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, over 50,000 people are seen in emergency rooms annually for bicycle-related injuries across the country—more than 700 of those people are killed, with approximately 74% of those under the age of 14. At Price, Petho & Anderson, we have been representing victims of bicycle accidents since 1979, giving us the knowledge and experience necessary to handle these often complicated cases.

Where there is fault, there must be restitution. However, North Carolina laws can be especially tricky, as it is one of only a handful of states to still apply the doctrine of contributory negligence. This means that in crashes between cyclists and motorists, close attention is paid what the bicyclist may have done to cause the crash. If any fault can be attributed to the cyclist, a damage claim is likely to be denied.

How to Prevent Accidents

The best way to avoid becoming a victim of a bicycle accident through prevention. By practicing defensive riding skills obeying the rules of the road and wearing a helmet, riders can safely share the road.

Some safe riding habits include:

• Traveling on the same side of the road as other traffic traveling in the same direction
• Respecting traffic controls
• At intersections, choosing the appropriate lane according to destination positioning
• Controlling the lane unless overtaking traffic is being delayed and the marked traffic lane is wide enough to safely share
• Changing lanes in anticipation of factors such as changing traffic conditions
• When passing vehicles that are parallel parked, leaving enough distance between you the vehicle in case a door is opened
• Feeling and acting like a vehicle driver
• At night, only riding a bike equipped with a headlight and tail light, along with wearing reflective clothing or applying reflective tape