A bicycle gives its rider no protection in a collision with a car or truck. Even a low-speed impact can leave a cyclist with a brain injury, spinal cord damage, or broken bones. If you or a loved one was hit while riding in Durham or anywhere in Durham County, the Durham bicycle accident attorneys at Portner & Shure can help. We have handled personal injury claims across North Carolina for more than 30 years.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents Around Durham
Durham’s campus areas, trails, and busy commercial roads see steady bicycle traffic and their share of collisions. Most bicycle collisions come down to driver negligence. The cases we see in the Durham area often involve:
- Drivers passing too closely or failing to give a safe distance
- Turning across a bike lane without checking for a rider
- Opening a car door into the path of a cyclist
- Distracted driving, including texting behind the wheel
- Speeding and running red lights or stop signs
- Failing to yield at intersections and driveways
North Carolina’s Rules of the Road for Cyclists
In North Carolina, a bicycle is treated as a vehicle, and a cyclist has most of the same rights and duties as the driver of a car (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-4.01, § 20-171). That means a rider is entitled to use the travel lane and drivers must share the road. When a driver passes too closely, turns across a rider’s path, or ignores a cyclist’s right of way, that violation is often central to who is held responsible for the crash.
Injuries and Damages
Because a bicycle offers no protection, injuries are frequently severe: traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, nerve damage, and permanent disfigurement. Depending on the facts, you may be able to pursue compensation for medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages and reduced earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Rule
North Carolina follows a strict contributory negligence rule. If the driver’s insurer can show you were even slightly at fault — for example, by riding without a required light at night — it can bar your recovery entirely. This is one of the harshest standards in the country, and it is exactly why insurers work so hard to shift blame onto the injured cyclist. Careful investigation and a clear account of how the crash happened are essential to protect your claim.
How Long Do I Have to File? North Carolina’s Statute of Limitations
In North Carolina, you generally have three years from the date of the accident to file a bicycle injury lawsuit (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52), and generally two years for a wrongful death claim. Physical evidence — the damaged bike, skid marks, and camera footage — disappears quickly, so it is wise to speak with an attorney early. Claims in Durham County are generally pursued through the Durham County Courthouse.
How Our Durham Bicycle Accident Attorneys Can Help
Insurance companies routinely argue that the cyclist “came out of nowhere” and defend these claims aggressively. You should not face them alone. Our team moves quickly to preserve evidence, identify witnesses, and reconstruct how the crash happened, then pushes for fair compensation. We work on a contingency basis, which means there is no fee unless we recover for you.
We Can Help If English is Not Your First Language
Our firm serves a diverse community, and we have team members who speak Spanish and Korean. We can discuss your case in a language you are comfortable with so nothing is lost in translation.
Contact Our Durham Bicycle Accident Attorneys Today
If you were hurt in a bicycle accident in Durham or anywhere in Durham County, contact Portner & Shure for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Other Injury Cases We Handle in Durham
- Durham Car Accident Lawyers
- Durham Truck Accident Lawyers
- Durham Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Durham Personal Injury Lawyers
- Durham Wrongful Death Lawyers
- Durham Premises Liability Lawyers
- Durham Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
- Durham Dog Bite Lawyers
- Durham Brain Injury Lawyers
- Durham Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers
- Durham Medical Malpractice Lawyers
- Durham Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
- Durham Bus Accident Lawyers
