Warm Weather Leads to Increased Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

Charlotte Personal Injury Attorney Matt Arnold answers the question: “What can you sue for in a personal injury case?”

 

It seems like spring weather is here to stay and we can all get excited for the upcoming summer months. When the sun is out, it seems like everyone has a boost of energy and happiness. More and more time is spent outside, whether that be walking around or riding a bicycle. It is not just local individuals who are spending more and more time soaking up the nice weather. This is also prime time for tourists and visitors to enjoy the sights and all that North Carolina has to offer.

 

bicycle-helmet-Charlotte-Waxhaw-Mooresville-Personal-Injury-Attorney-300x225While the nice weather provides a boost in happiness for some and an overall increase in outdoor activities, there are dangers associated with it. An increase in pedestrian traffic in crosswalks, walking on sidewalks, or riding bicycles increases the likelihood that an accident will occur. The US Department of Transportation estimates that almost 54% of car accident actually happen in the spring and summer months, not fall and winter. Of these car accidents, 16% of them include pedestrian and bicyclist accidents that result in a fatality.

 

The increase in accidents can be attributed to a more carefree nature of driving. In the winter months, or when there is inclement weather, drivers and pedestrians seem to be more aware of their surroundings and adjust for unexpected occurrences. In the summer, when the sun is shining, individuals might feel a little more carefree and like nothing bad could happen to them. While pedestrians and bicyclists cannot control the actions of the drivers around them, there are things they can do to keep themselves safe:

 

  • Follow Applicable Laws: Pedestrians and bicyclists are required to follow their own set of laws. Bicyclists are required to follow the same traffic laws that apply to vehicle drivers. They are required to follow traffic signals, signs, have the proper reflective gear, and use turn signals. These laws are in place to keep the bicyclists safe.
  • Eliminate Distractions: Both bicyclists and pedestrians need to be aware of their surroundings to keep themselves safe. Eliminating as many distractions as possible can keep you safe. Keep your eyes on the road ahead and people around you, avoid wearing headphones, talking on a cell phone, and any other activities that distract you from walking or riding a bike.
  • Use Common Sense: You can only control your own actions. We all know what behavior might be considered reckless and put us in harm’s way. Anytime you are commuting somewhere, it is important to keep your head up and your mind clear and ready to react to the actions of others around you. Use common sense and reasoning when walking or biking so that you put yourself in the best position to react to anything that might arise.

 

The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are here to help you if you have been injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident. We know that summer months are carefree and that danger is the last thing on your mind when you are out and enjoying the weather. Let us help you in the event of an injury. Contact us today for a consultation. Now taking cases throughout the Charlotte region with offices in Uptown Charlotte, Mooresville and our new location in Monroe, call us at 704-370-2828 or click here for additional resources.

 

Matt-and-Brad-300x200

 

 

 

 

The skilled personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to maximizing the financial recovery and obtaining justice for every personal injury client injured by another party’s negligence. The issues our personal injury clients may be facing include, but are not limited to, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, product liability, catastrophic injuries, dog bite claims, car and truck accident injuries, motorcycle injuries, traumatic brain injury (TBI), nursing home negligence, spinal cord injury, boating accidents, and defective medical device injury. Our personal injury attorneys understand the devastating impact such an injury can have on a person’s life, and that the effects so often go beyond physical pain and suffering. The personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are dedicated to helping clients determine the strength of their claims, and to aggressively pursuing the means necessary to achieve the best possible end result for each client’s particular situation.

 

Source:

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812493

https://www.ncdot.gov/divisions/bike-ped/Pages/bike-ped-laws.aspx

 

 

Image Credit

https://www.freeimages.com/photo/kid-1463199

 

 

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https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC/videos

 

 

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