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Crashes Involving Human-Powered Vehicles Abound

Carson Leach — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:26:22 GMT

Though automobile drivers are often the culprits of collisions with cyclists, sometimes the cyclist makes a poor decision that can result in extreme bodily harm and even death.

Glenn Thomas Brunck of Greensboro, North Carolina failed to yield the right-of-way while operating his moped on February 21, 2010. Mr. Brunck made a right turn onto High Point Road from a driveway and was struck by an oncoming vehicle. Mr. Brunck, who might have sustained only minor injuries, was lucky. Accidents involving cyclists often end in devastating harm.

In Reidsville, North Carolina, Talia Maria Mercado, 14, was taken by EMS to the hospital after her bicycle collided with an automobile on February 27, 2010. In this case, the rider stated that she had been wearing headphones, and as a result, did not notice the car approaching an upcoming intersection on her left. Only after it was too late did the rider attempt, unsuccessfully, to stop.

Then, on a recent Friday afternoon, I wrecked my bicycle while riding after nightfall on the Lake Brandt Greenway in Greensboro. I labored under the illusion that the headlight and taillight on my bicycle would adequately light the path. However, after seeing several deer cross the path up ahead, I collided quite unexpectedly with one of them. The deer struck me on the side and sent man, animal, and machine flying in different directions. Fortunately, I was not seriously injured.

Having had this experience, I suggest that riders invest in lighting that can be affixed to the helmet in addition to the usual headlight attached to the handlebar. While a handlebar-affixed light is a good thing to have, it is limited by its capacity to point only in the direction in which the bike itself is pointed. A helmet-mounted light can illuminate things that may not be in the path of the cycle; indeed, the rider can illuminate anything he can point his head toward.

We are trained to look for obstacles in the path ahead, but three accidents have taught me that dangers often approach from the sides. Cyclists must remain alert at all times and make careful decisions while operating their vehicles or risk bodily harm, as you can see in this video that depicts a case of failure to yield on the part of a moped rider:

www.youtube.com/watch

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Carson Leach

Be on the Look Out for 2-Wheeled Vehicles!

Pierce Egerton — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:42:33 GMT

Lately I've blogged about the tragic deaths of a Greensboro cyclist and a man killed while test driving a motorcycle. Today, while scanning through accident reports, I found yet another case of a two-wheeled vehicle being struck when the driver of a car wasn't paying attention.

On Halloween, Stacey Elliott of Lexington was a passenger on a motorcycle traveling in High Point when a vehicle turned into their path. The driver of the motorcycle swerved, but not in time to avoid the collision. Stacey's foot was pinned in between the bike and the car.

What might have been a minor accident in a car is now likely to be a painful ordeal that could involve heavy medical bills and prolonged treatment. Drivers of automobiles have to use more caution in looking out for the two-wheeled vehicles they share the road with. It's that simple.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

Motorcycle Tragedy: Man Killed During Test Drive

Pierce Egerton — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:16:24 GMT

Riding motorcycles is a fun and exhilarating pastime. But even when a motorcycle driver does everything right, there’s potential for tragedy. Joe Cross, from Supply, NC, was only taking a test drive of a motorcycle when another motorist pulled in front of him. Joe was thrown from the bike and killed. He was 33 years old.

Fox 8 reports that Dorothea Hewitt, 51, was attempting to pull into her driveway and failed to yield the right of way.

Joe was a carpenter/painter, and father of two. The family is accepting online condolences at http://brunswickfuneralservice.com. A fund has been set up for his sons, Isaac and Elijah, and memorials can be sent to the “Elijah Joe Cross fund” and “Isaac Caleb Cross Fund” at any Bank of America branch.

Even experienced riders can fall victim to others’ negligence. A friend and associate of ours was recently hit by an SUV while riding his motorcycle, a pastime he has enjoyed for decades. Thankfully, he only sustained some shoulder injuries, but it gave us all quite a scare.

Our condolences go out to Joe’s family.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

One Roadway to Carry Them All

Pierce Egerton — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:02:56 GMT

Bicyclists are perhaps the most vulnerable vehicles on the road. The accident rate for bicycles is lower than for other vehicles because they move slower. But, when there is an accident involving a bicyclist, he or she is at a greater risk for injury and death. As drivers, it is important to watch out for two-wheeled vehicles – they are harder to see, and their occupants are not encased in a protective layer of glass and steel.

Being myself a bicyclist, however, I hear the question often, “What about the bicyclists we see riding erratically, unsafely, and/or illegally?”

Sadly, the question has some merit and deserves a look. In Greensboro recently, a bicyclist was severely injured when she failed to yield at a stop sign and t-boned an SUV:

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/11/09/article/bicyclist_seriously_injured_after_hitting_car

Stop signs and traffic signals apply to bicyclists too! Many bicyclists think that they can treat Stop signs as Yield, and red lights as Stop signs. This idea may be reasonable in some situations, but any vehicle, bicycle included, ignores stop signs and traffic signals at its peril.

Another thing we see often in Greensboro is bicycles on sidewalks where they shouldn’t necessarily be. To an inexperienced cyclist, the sidewalk can seem like a safer place to ride than the roadway. This is usually not the case!! Although speeds are lower on the sidewalk, there are many additional hazards riding there, and not just for the bike. Riding on the sidewalk, first and foremost, endangers the pedestrians who have a right to be there. Also, bicyclists using the sidewalk are often not aware when a crosswalk approaches, that a car or truck making a turn might contest the roadway, with disastrous results for the bicyclist.

The roadway is usually the safest place to ride. Yes, it can be scary for riders who are not familiar with the exercise – the cars are so much closer! Drivers, however, are more likely to see a bicycle on the roadway than one on the sidewalk or the shoulder. Don’t think that bicycles are required to ride near the side of the road – in most places, the law requires bicycles to ride as far to the right as is practicable, not as far right as possible. Plus, being seen on the roadway as a bicyclist, and obeying the laws of the road, drivers will be able to predict what the bicycle will do, and thereby avoid running it over.

The NC Department of Transportation site provides resources on safe riding: Streetwise Cycling — A Guide to Safe Bicycling in North Carolina

For more I’ve written recently on this topic, have a look at:

Be on the Look Out for 2-Wheeled Vehicles!

Update: Arrest Made for Greensboro Cyclist's Hit-and-Run Death

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pierce Egerton

Share the Road: Tractors are Vehicles Too

Lawrence Egerton — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:50:05 GMT

Here in the south tractors making their way down old country roads is a common sight. Farming remains an important part of life for many in the carolinas. But, no matter how familiar, there are still unique risks associated with them.

These risks are now all too well understood by William Frank Lynn, who collided with a tractor hauling hay after dusk this past Friday in Caswell County. Sadly the driver of the tractor, Joan McKinney, did not survive the collision. She had all the proper lights and reflectors on her tractor, but the stacked hay obscured them. The trailer had no such lights.

Tragic as this accident may be, it is an uneasy reminder to understand the unique dangers that come with different types of vehicles. Regulations and restrictions can seem burdensome at times, but they serve a purpose. Simple mistakes like overlooking the fact that your reflectors can't be seen with a large stack of hay, can have lasting consequences.

The late Ms. McKinney wasn't the only one who failed to follow appropriate safety measures that night. the other driver, Mr. Lynn, had also been driving without insurance. While insurance wouldn't be able to bring back Ms. McKinney, it could have at least helped her family pay for their lost equipment, and funeral expenses, not to mention Mr. Lynn's truck.

Hearing of accidents like these is one of the most frustrating things for me. It is so unfortunate that such simple things could have prevented, or at least severely lessened the seriousness of this situation. I only hope that people can learn to take that extra bit of time to check the condition of their vehicle, and keep themselves safe.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Lawrence Egerton

Motorcyclist Killed in Accident Reminds Us to Share the Road

Lawrence Egerton — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:39:42 GMT

A hit and run accident on E. Wendover Ave. in Greensboro, left a 44 year old motorcycle driver dead this Sunday. Eugene Vadran Bullard Jr., 44 was a resident of McLeansville, NC. The accident happened around 6:30 p.m. when Bullard attempted to avoid being hit when a white vehicle turned in front of him. He ran off the road and struck a tree. He later died of his injuries at Moses Cone Hospital.

While Bullard was wearing a helmet at the time, the force of the impact was more than it could handle. Police are still searching for the driver of the vehicle that forced him off the road. A representative of the family told the Greensboro News & Record: "What makes it so hard is that they left. How could you live with yourself knowing that you caused someone to die because of your careless driving?,"

Police are asking anyone with information that may help to call the Greensboro Crimestoppers Line at 336-373-1000.

It is important that automobile drivers remember to share the road. Motorcycles are vehicles too. Following too closely, or failing to double check your blind spot can kill. The kind of mistake that would only result in crumpled fenders in most situations becomes much more dangerous for a motorcycle rider. According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation over 43,000 Americans lose their lives yearly in motorcycle accidents. Take a look at their website for some great information and simple advice that can save lives.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Lawrence Egerton