North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog

The Republic reports that with Daylight Saving Time now in effect, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) wants to remind motorists that fewer daylight hours means an increased risk for car accidents in Gastonia, Hickory, Winston-Salem and elsewhere in the state. Not only are motorists short on daylight hours for their evening commute, but bicyclists and pedestrians need to be more careful to avoid an accident while walking or biking in the dark.

North Carolina residents turned their clocks back by one hour Sunday morning, meaning evening commutes are now a lot darker starting this week and continuing through the next few months with the sun setting earlier each night. Greensboro car accident lawyers know adjusting to the time change affects your body and mind and can even be somewhat depressing. But using extra caution during dark hours will help keep you safe on North Carolina roadways until we "spring forward" in just a few months from now.

In 2010, the North Carolina Department of Transportation reported that there were nearly 190 bicyclists and 875 pedestrians involved in car accidents during dusk and nighttime hours. There were another almost 16,500 accidents involving animals during the hours of darkness.

Driving in the dark can be tricky, especially this time of year when deer and other critters can potentially pop out from nowhere right in front of your vehicle. We posted last month on our North Carolina Car Accident Lawyers Blog that deer will be on the run as hunting season approaches. So be on the lookout for them dashing across your path to help avoid a collision and possible injuries.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation offers these tips for motorists to keep in mind as they drive in Daylight Saving Time:

-Coincide changing your clocks back one hour with checking all lights on your vehicle. For instance, check brake lights, emergency flashers, headlights, and even interior lights to make sure they are working properly. You may need to take your vehicle to a mechanic if a fuse or bulb needs replaced.

-Use high-beam lights in rural areas but be courteous to approaching vehicles by flashing to low beams while you pass.

-If your rear-view mirror has a night setting, use it to avoid glare from car lights shining behind you.

-Never wear sunglasses after dusk.

-Keep a watchful eye for bikers and walkers after dark, especially as winter weather approaches.

-If you feel drowsy from the time change, avoid long trips or driving while fatigued.

-Focusing your eyes on one spot in front of you causes "highway hypnosis" which reduces your reaction time if a hazard appears on the road. Keep your eyes active by moving them back and forth to reduce the risk of reaction impairment.

Continue reading "Daylight Saving Time Increases Risks for Nighttime Car Accidents in Gastonia, Elsewhere" »

Whether a person rides a bicycle as a means of transportation, a fitness tool, or for pure enjoyment, our Hickory car accident attorneys want to remind motorists that roadways are becoming highly populated with bicyclists, so please use extra caution when you spot them on North Carolina roadways.

Star News Online reports that several recent car accidents in North Carolina involving bicyclists have alerted authorities to just how dangerous roadways are becoming. More than one accident recently has been caused by a bicyclist confused by the rules of the road when the riders thought they had the right of way but didn't.

New Hanover County is by far the most dangerous county to report bicycle-vehicle crashes in North Carolina from 2004 to 2008. The average yearly crash rate for New Hanover County is 2.5 per 10,000 people in relation to the next highest crash rate at 1.9 in Orange and Robeson counties during this period. From 2004 to 2008, New Hanover County reported the fourth most bicycle-vehicle crashes of all counties in North Carolina. Considering the population for New Hanover County is much less, these are not statistics to be commended.

According to bicyclinginfo.org, there has been a 17 percent decrease in bicyclist deaths from 1998 to 2009. However, there were 53,000 bicyclist injuries in 1998 compared to 51,000 injuries in 2009, representing only a 4 percent decrease. Alarmingly, it is estimated that only 10 percent of bicycle crashes causing an injury are reported to police departments, a primary source for crash data.

Educating motorists and bicyclists is key to keeping the number of accidents to a minimum. If bicyclists and motorists learn the proper rules, responsibilities and rights of the roadway, it can help ensure the safety of all concerned. Respect is the first step. A motorist and bicyclist who each shows respect for the other is able to share roadways safely.

Motorists should keep an eye out for cyclists at night; learn how to pass them safely by allowing a minimum of 3 feet of space and be aware of bike lanes and how to maneuver around them. Motorists need to stay in control when adverse weather strikes and realize that cycling in poor weather conditions is a challenge that needs extra attention so as not to alarm a cyclist needing to focus their attention in these conditions.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has developed a series of bicycling maps to help adventurers work their way across the state safely. Regional and local maps can help bikers get in and around a city, but highway maps are meant for bicycling tours and involve hundreds of miles of travel on highways and interstates. Motorists are advised to be aware of which highways are utilized most for these tours so that you can use extra caution when you stumble upon a bicyclist out on a quest.

Continue reading "North Carolina Bicyclists Lacking Rules of Road Knowledge at Risk for Collision with a Vehicle in Hickory, Elsewhere " »

Intersections are not only a common location for car accidents in Winston-Salem but they are also the site of many pedestrian and bicycle accidents which makes most intersections a deadly disaster waiting to happen. Motorists should use caution every time they approach an intersection because the complex traffic patterns and limited visibility can put them or others at risk of an accident which leads to serious injury or even fatality.

Charlotte car accident lawyers know that a good number of intersections are deemed dangerous based on past accidents reports. Knowing that particular intersections are classified as dangerous could allow bikers, pedestrians and motorists to alter their route or travel time in order to avoid a potential collision.

WSOCTV recently reported that Charlotte's Department of Transportation put together a complete list of the city's most dangerous intersections. In most cases, driver inattention, failure to yield, speed and other human factors were the leading causes of the accident.

The crash data report indicates for the second year in a row that the intersection of South Davidson and East Martin Luther King Boulevard ranked highest for accidents in 2010. This intersection has been the site for a total of 41 accidents over the last three years which is likely due to the high volume of traffic that passes through it each day. Other notable intersections that make the Top 5 list in Charlotte include:

• Close to the Interstate 485 entrance where Harrisburg road connects with Cambridge Commons Drive.


• North Caldwell Street and East 5th Street intersection.


• Conlan Circle where it intersects with John J. Delaney Drive


• Reagan Drive and North Tyron intersection.

The Charlotte Observer reports that the Department compiles an annual report on traffic data for Charlotte which does not include crash statistics for local interstates, parking lots or private lots. There were a total of 29 fatal accidents and roughly 5,800 injuries as a result of the 15,799 crashes that occurred in Charlotte in 2010. Collisions involving bicycles rose more than 10 percent from 83 in 2009 to the 94 reported in 2010.

Tips to remember for intersection safety:

• Always yield the right of way.


• Prepare to stop at a yellow light about to turn red unless stopping causes the situation to be more dangerous.


• Wait for oncoming traffic to pass the intersection before making a left turn.


• Tailgating is never advised but near an intersection this behavior can be particularly dangerous because you don't know what the vehicle in front of you will do. Following too close usually results in a rear-end collision with one or more vehicles.


• Take note of your surroundings at intersections which includes being alert for pedestrians, bicyclists or other vehicles.


• Refrain from checking text messages or emails while waiting for the light to turn green.


• Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk before putting your vehicle in motion.

Continue reading "Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Motorists at Risk of Intersection Accidents in Charlotte" »

Our Winston-Salem personal injury attorneys frequently report about the dangers of pedestrian accidents in our state.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation recently announced that 15 municipalities throughout the state will receive in total $343,550 in grants to be used towards reducing the number of bicycle and pedestrian accidents in North Carolina.

We posted previously on our North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog that very little federal funding is spent on improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety in North Carolina each year. Considering how important exercise is to improving our healthy lifestyle, it is good to know that some cities will be benefiting from funds granted towards improving safety for walkers and bikers.

Representatives from rural and metropolitan planning organizations and councils of government formed a committee and reviewed 23 applications that were submitted to request funding. Transportation planners selected 15 municipalities from both large urban areas and small rural towns throughout western, central and eastern regions of the state to receive the grant. The following municipalities will receive funding from a joint sponsorship by North Carolina Department of Transportation's Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation and NCDOT's Transportation Planning Branch:

-$28,000 to Atlantic Beach
-$24,500 to Belmont
-$15,000 to Clyde
-$20,000 to Elizabethtown
-$31,500 to Kings Mountain
-$28,000 to Knightdale
-$15,000 to Marshall
-$22,050 to Mount Airy
-$20,000 to Oak Ridge
-$24,000 to Oxford
-$15,000 to Pilot Mountain
-$28,000 to Rolesville
-$24,500 to Sanford
-$28,000 to Washington
-$20,000 to Wingate

The planning process will begin this fall for each of these municipalities in which improving bicycle and pedestrian safety will be the goal and priority of each project initiated.

Transportation of America reports that 47,000 people died and 688,000 were injured from 2000-2009 in pedestrian accidents.

More than 1,600 people were killed in North Carolina while walking during this same time period. North Carolina ranked 11th in the country in overall Pedestrian Danger Index.

North Carolina cities and the percentage of traffic fatalities by pedestrians in 2008-2009:

• Winston-Salem -- 11.5 percent
• Charlotte/Gastonia/Concord -- 11.4 percent
• Greensboro/High Point -- 10.3 percent
• Asheville -- 9.6 percent

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 2 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2009 were bicyclists. Of the 630 bicyclist fatalities in 2009, North Carolina averaged over 1 death a month or 16 cyclist fatalities reported for the year.

Summer safety tips for pedestrians and bicyclists:
-Stay away from high volume traffic roadways like interstates at rush hour.
-Never walk or bicycle across a street where motorists don't expect to see you.
-Remain visible by wearing bright clothing.
-Prevent walking or riding at night at all costs.
-Always inform someone where you are going and what time you think you will return.

Continue reading "Government Funding to Help Reduce Risk of Bicycle and Pedestrian Injuries in North Carolina" »

A bicyclist was struck and killed last week as he was biking in West Ashley, according to the Charleston County Coroner's Office. Local authorities report that the 25-year-old bicyclist was struck by a vehicle on Old Towne Road. He was taken to the Medical University of South Carolina, where he was later pronounced dead, according to 5 News. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene but was later located and apprehended. He faces a $50,000 bond and charges of felony DUI.

In an attempt to raise awareness about such bicycle accidents in North Carolina, residents across the state joined together for the annual Ride of Silence in Charlotte earlier this month. Local cyclists met in the Queens University parking lot off of Wellesley Drive to kick off one of the memorial rides. Cyclists traveled along state roads, under 12 mph, to recognize those who have been killed or injured from these accidents. A number of local bicyclists have been killed in our area over the last few years, and this ride is meant to remember them in addition to raising awareness. This year's ride stretched about nine miles, according to the Ride of Silence website.

Our North Carolina car accident attorneys recognize the dangers that bicyclists face on our state roadways. We also recognize the dangers they face elsewhere in the country. This ride takes place in many areas across North and South Carolina and elsewhere in the world. It is estimated that almost 300 cities, all 50 states, 18 different countries and all seven continents participate in the memorial ride.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 600 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle accidents in the United States in 2009. An additional 51,000 bicyclists were injured in these incidents. These deaths accounted for roughly 2 percent of all motor vehicle accident fatalities throughout the year.

Most of these bicycling accidents from 2009 occurred during the day - between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. - in urban areas at non-intersections. There was a 5 percent increase in such accidents from the previous year.

Most bicyclists killed were males of the average age of 41. In last 10 years, the number of people killed or injured in that group has steadily increased.

Yield To Life offers these tips to motorists to help them keep bicyclists safe:

-Remember that bicyclists follow the same rules of the road as motorists. Treat them as another vehicle.

-Be careful when passing a cyclist. Do not do so until you have made certain that you can safely.

-Be careful when turning right. Always keep an eye out for bicyclists that are parallel with you that may plan to travel straight.

-Look around your entire car before putting your car into reverse and backing up.

-Hesitate honking at bicyclists as the noise may startle them and create a hazardous situation for the both of you.

-Yield to bicyclists at intersections.

Continue reading "Ride of Silence to Honor Victims of Bicycle Accidents in North Carolina and Elsewhere" »

Spring is an excellent time for motorists to brush up on their safe driving skills. Now that the weather has become a little more enjoyable the risk becomes much higher for motorcycle, pedestrian or bicycle accidents in North Carolina. As part of a spring safe driving series we will be drawing attention to the dangers faced by motorists encountering more walkers, bikers, and cyclists on Carolina roadways.

Our personal injury attorneys in Statesville, Gastonia and Asheville know that North Carolina ranks near the top in deadly bicycle accidents across the United States. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 16 fatal bicycle accidents in 2009 for the state, which placed it in the top 10 among all states. From 2005 to 2009, North Carolina averaged almost 25 deaths per year from fatal bicycle accidents. The highest death count recorded during that period was 36 in 2005.

The total number of bicycle accidents occurring each year may be skewed as we posted previously on our North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog. Advocates feel that a good number of accidents don't get reported so creating awareness and methods for safety are more important than ever. Whether cyclists enjoy the hobby as a good method for fitness, or families utilize riding as a method of enjoying quality time together, safety should be made a priority to keep cyclists safe from motor vehicle crashes.

Motorists should keep the following suggestions in mind in order to avoid a crash with a bicyclist:

-Never drive when you are extremely tired. Bicyclists are difficult to see and can appear out of nowhere so drivers should always be on alert.

-Approach intersections at a slower pace and check for any cyclist that may be crossing from another direction.

-Obey all traffic laws and use turn signals so that bicyclists and other motorists don't have to guess what you are doing. Being predictable is the best method to being a safe driver.

-Be on the lookout for bicycle reflectors or bright clothing, especially at night.

-If no bike paths exist on the street or roadway, give the cyclists plenty of space to maneuver.

Motorists and cyclists should always be accommodating when sharing the same roadways in order to keep everyone free from danger. Cyclists are reminded to wear bright clothing, always obey traffic laws, stay alert, and use bike paths with caution when they are available.

Continue reading "North Carolina motorists beware of high risk of bicycle accidents this spring" »

A Plymouth man who lost the ability to walk after a North Carolina work accident 20 years ago was killed in a Mocksville bicycle accident over the weekend, the Times Leader reported.

Albert Arnott, 60, inspired others as a survivor, after suffering a traumatic head injury in a fall from a tree while working as a landscaper. Though he could no longer walk, he began riding a recumbent bicycle and had managed to power it across the country. His recumbent bicycle was a three-wheel cycle with a seat.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol reports Arnott was killed on Saturday in a collision with a truck while pedaling north on U.S. Highway 601.

He had moved to Arizona several years ago but in an interview earlier this year with the Times Leader he said he had just completed a ride from Los Angeles to New York, via Washington D.C. He was riding to bring attention to the need for term limits in Congress and told the newspaper he had written more than 40 books -- several of which could be found online.

The Highway Patrol reported that Arnott was northbound on Saturday when he was struck by a pickup truck also traveling northbound. The investigation is ongoing and the driver could face charges.

His cycle's low build could have made it harder to see. But he had added a large "Gadsen Flag." The yellow flag features a coiled rattlesnake and the motto "Don't tread on me."

Continue reading "Fatal North Carolina bicycle accident claims life of cross-country rider disabled in work accident" »