Wilmington, NC Car Accident Attorney Richard Flexner Weighs in on Bicyclist Fatality Report Highlighting Dangers in North Carolina
Wilmington, NC (PRWEB) November 15, 2014 -- New data reveals that North Carolina is one of the top 10 deadliest states for people who ride bicycles, a finding that Wilmington, NC personal injury lawyer Richard Flexner says should serve as a reminder to all drivers to use caution around cyclists.
Commenting on a Nov. 5 report in Indy Week (“North Carolina is one of the top 10 deadliest states for bicyclists”), Flexner said he is not surprised by the news because he has handled many serious injury cases.
“As a personal injury lawyer, I’ve seen first-hand the devastating impact of bicycle accidents,” said Flexner, an attorney with more than 35 years’ experience. “These cases often involve catastrophic or fatal injuries. As the news report indicates, accidents involving cars and bicycles are not unusual in North Carolina. Drivers often say they failed to see the cyclist who was legally using the road and doing nothing wrong. All North Carolina drivers need to remember to look out for cyclists, especially when making turns or changing lanes.”
According to Indy Week, which reported on data released in a recent issue of Governing magazine, North Carolina had 2.6 annual cyclist deaths per million residents from 2010 to 2012. With an average of 25 deaths per year during that time, North Carolina ranks as the eighth deadliest state for cyclists.
The Governors Highway Safety Association reported that cycling fatalities nationwide are at a three-year high as of 2012, the last year data was available, according to Indy Week. In the United States, 722 cyclists died that year. Fatality rates are on the rise in urban areas and decreasing in rural ones, according to the data.
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the number of cyclist fatalities in North Carolina has increased each year between 2009 and 2012. There 14 deaths in 2009 and 27 in 2012. Statewide, there were 39 disabling injuries involving cyclists in 2012. In 2011, 58 disabling injuries were reported, the DOT data shows.
Each year, about 1,000 cyclists are involved in police-reported crashes with motor vehicles, according to the DOT.
“Bicycle accidents can happen for any number of reasons, but we believe they are preventable,” Flexner said. “Too often, drivers are distracted by cell phones or simply not paying attention to the road. That’s when serious accidents involving cyclists can happen.”
Flexner said a cyclist who is injured or anyone who loses a loved one in a bicycle accident should seek the advice of legal counsel. He said an attorney can help by holding the negligent driver accountable and pursuing compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other losses.
About Richard Flexner Law Offices
For over 35 years, attorney Richard Flexner has fought diligently to protect the rights of personal injury victims and families who have lost loved ones in Wilmington and across North Carolina. In addition to handling cases involving drunk driving and impaired accidents and other matters involving personal injury and wrongful death, Flexner represents North Carolinians who need assistance with workers’ compensation claims. Flexner serves New Hanover County, Brunswick County, Pender County and all of North Carolina. He is a member of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice.
If you were injured, or a loved one was injured or killed in a bicycle accident, call 800-FLEXNER (800-353-9637) today for a free case consultation.
Richard Flexner Law Offices are located at:
3805 Oleander Dr
Wilmington, NC 28403
http://www.getflexner.com
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
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