Bicycle Accident Law | Hendren, Redwine & Malone ·

The Davidson News.net is reporting that a bicyclist was injured in a wreck with a truck on Rocky River Road.  Witnesses say the wreck happened when the delivery truck truned into the path of Mr. Doherty. For more click here.

We hope for a speedy recovery for Mr. Doherty.

Bicyclist Ronald Wayne Branch of Eden, North Carolina was killedearlier today in an accident near Maryland Avenue.  The driver of the vehicle has been charged with felony hit and run and misdemeanor death by vehicle.  For more, click here.

As reported by the Raleigh News and Observer, Angier bicyclist Carl Demarais was seriously injured while riding his bicycle.  The driver of the car fled the scene and the family has offered a reward for information about the driver.

Call the lawyers at Hendren & Malone for questions about bicycle wrecks.  In cases such as this, we have helped many injured bicyclists.

Here is an interesting story from the Winston-Salem Journal about the dangers associated with bicycle riding in North Carolina.  Click here for the story.

The driver of a car that killed a Summerfield, North Carolina bicyclist last year has apparently agreed to plead guilty to death by motor vehicle. For more click here.

In light of a recent string of tragic bicycle wrecks, the Winston-Salem Journal published a very interesting editorial.  Here is a link to the article.

As reported by the Winston-Salem Journal:

The recumbent tricycle that Albert Arnott rode across the country gave him the mobility that his legs could no longer provide.

On Saturday, Arnott, 59, was struck from behind while riding that bike on U.S. 601, about three miles north of Mocksville. He died at the scene, Sgt. Eric Hoffman of the N.C. Highway Patrol said yesterday.

Arnott had already ridden from Los Angeles to New York and was on his way back to his home in Phoenix, Ariz.

Twenty years ago, Arnott was injured while working as a landscaper in Pennsylvania, according to an article in The Times Leader, a newspaper in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Arnott was in a full-body cast for two years and used a wheelchair to get around, according to the article.

But he could still ride his tricycle, which sat low to the ground and provided him with stability.

Recumbent bikes allow riders to sit in a reclined position with the pedals out in front of them.

Jeffrey Miller, the president of the Alliance for Walking and Biking, in Washington, said people choose recumbent bikes for comfort.

“Some ride them for better viewing. You’re in a more inclined position to see the world rather than having to crane your neck,” said Miller, whose organization is a coalition of state walking and bicycling advocacy groups.

Last year, Bruce Hermann was seriously injured when he was struck by a car while riding his recumbent bike on Country Club Road.

Hermann owns a shop, Neighborhood Transportation, that specializes in recumbent bikes.

He said that, contrary to what some people might think, recumbent tricycles are often more visible to drivers than other styles of bicycles.

“To a motorist, they look really wide. When a car approaches from the rear, they usually give you a lot more room, whereas on a regular bike, they think that you are as wide as the tire,” Hermann said.

The tricycles’ unusual look also grabs the attention of motorists, he said.

But that was not the case for Arnott.

The man driving the truck, Justin Mark Keaton, 30, of Mocksville, told a trooper with the N.C. State Highway Patrol that he did not see Arnott.

No charges have yet been filed, Hoffman said.

Arnott embarked on the cross-country trip from Los Angeles to New York last year, as part of a campaign for congressional term limits, according to The Times Leader article.

Arnott is the second cyclist to be killed in the area in the past nine days.

On July 23, Donald Sunday died when he was hit from behind while riding a traditional bicycle on Trinity Church Road in King.

Miller said it is not the responsibility of cyclists to wear bright colors or sport flags on their bikes to make themselves stand out during the daytime.

“I think a lot of us make sure we are seen, but it is absolutely not the fault of a bicyclist what colors they’re wearing or whether they’re wearing a flag or wearing a helmet. Those are personal decisions,” he said.

Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of this courageous man, who even after facing serious injury pursued his love of cycling. Arnott’s tragic and unexpected death serves as a chilling reminder to drivers: be cautious of cyclists on the roads.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports alarmingly high numbers of pedalcylclist deaths and injuries. Pedalcyclists include “bicycles…riders of two-wheel non-motorized vehicles, tricycles, and unicycles powered solely by pedals.”

The NHTSA reports that in 2008, 716 pedalcyclists lost their lives and approximately 52,000 suffered injuries due to traffic accidents. Closer to home, in North Carolina 32 pedalcyclists lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2008. The Winston-Salem Journal reports that Arnott was “the second cyclist to be killed in the area in the past nine days.”

Our firm believes these statistics are way too high. The number of cyclist injuries and fatalities could be significantly reduced by simply practicing safe driving tips, like staying alert, watching out for cyclists and or pedestrians and remembering to share the road. Cyclists too can do their part by using protective gear and wearing bright colors or reflectors to help drivers see them better. 

If you have been injured in a bicycle wreck, call the North Carolina bicycle wreck lawyers at Hendren and Malone.

As reported by the Winston Salem Journal:

A bicycling outing ends with a terrible accident involving a car. It’s a scenario that played out once more last week, and one that we should all work toward ending.

A car driven by Linda Sink, 51, of King hit two bicyclists from behind on Trinity Church Road near U.S. 52 Friday morning, according to the N.C. Highway Patrol. Donald Sunday, 62, of Winston-Salem died at the scene. Sunday, a native of New York state, was a grandfather and businessman who enjoyed bicycling in his spare time.

Barry Leonard, 49, of King, sustained a broken pelvis and rib. Sink, who was not injured, has not been charged pending completion of the investigation. She wasn’t speeding, impaired or talking on her cell phone, Trooper J.R. Phillips of the patrol, who is handling the case, told the Journal yesterday. “She just hit two bicycles in the rear end.”

The bicyclists, he said, were riding single file along the white line on the right side of the road, and the accident happened as the road curves slightly to the left. Both men were wearing their helmets. Phillips declined to answer questions about how the accident happened in the 45- mph zone.

If you have been in a bicycle wreck, call the bicycle wreck lawyers at Hendren and Malone, PLLC.

As reported:

Two cyclists suffered minor injuries following a hit-and-run accident near Clemmons Thursday evening.

Lt. Brad Stanley said the two men were riding with a group of cyclists near Dull Road around 6:53 p.m. when they were struck by a vehicle. According to Lt. Stanley, the driver of the vehicle was turning onto Dull Road from Styers Ferry Road when the accident happened.

As reported by the Raleigh News and Observer, 

Read more: http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/07/13/578565/man-charged-with-hitting-cyclist.html#ixzz0tZQNqyIj