According to the United States Department of Transportation, bicycle accidents have taken the lives of more than 8,000 people over the last decade. This means that nearly 700 people are involved in fatal accidents each and every year and that another 500,000 that are treated for serious injuries. Why are bicycle accidents so dangerous? Unfortunately, bicyclists are afforded very little protection in the event of a collision—especially when it involves a much larger motor vehicle.
Oftentimes, the only thing that separates a victim from a minor injury and death is the presence of a helmet, and shockingly, only about 50 percent of bicyclists routinely wear this form of protective headgear. As such, it is not surprising that more than 91% of the victims that have been killed in bicycle accidents were not wearing a helmet.
Although many people don’t consider that they could be involved in a collision when they hope on their bikes—either as a leisurely activity or a practical means of transportation—it is a risk that should be taken seriously. Accidents happen every day, and the consequences can prove to be much more devastating than they need to be if you are not prepared. For this reason, the legal team at Whitley Law Firm encourages you to put safety first.
It may surprise you that most people who are killed in bicycle accidents in the US are adults, as the average age of the bicyclists that are killed in related accidents is 40, but it just goes to show that there is a discrepancy in the way that adult and child safety is taken into consideration. You wouldn’t let your child ride a bicycle without a protective helmet, so you should not hesitate to take the same precaution.
If you or your child has already been involved in a serious bicycle accident, however, we urge you to get in touch with a Raleigh personal injury lawyer at our firm as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for the injuries that you have suffered, so you should not hesitate to explore your legal options today. The experienced legal team at Whitley Law Firm is available to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and it won’t cost you a cent to find out if we can help.
As such, you are encouraged to call our office at your earliest convenience for a complimentary consultation with an attorney at the firm. We can be reached at (704) 461-1621 whenever you are ready to take the first step. For more general information about bicycle accidents in North Carolina, you can also visit our related page by clicking here.
