Attorney Thomas Henson Discusses Cycling Insurance and Safety on Find Your Edge Podcast

Recently, Henson Fuerst attorney Thomas Henson was featured on The Endurance Edge podcast, Find Your Edge, with Chris Newport discussing cycling safety, legal issues, and insurance. You can watch the full episode here:

If you couldn’t tune in, here’s a recap of some important points made in the discussion.

The Crucial Insurance Coverage Every Cyclist Needs

In the podcast, Thomas Henson highlights the type of insurance every cyclist should have: uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). Although North Carolina law states that all motorists must carry a minimum insurance policy of $30,000, not everyone does. In the case that an uninsured or underinsured driver strikes your bike and has insufficient insurance to cover the damages, you may be left facing steep expenses if you don’t have the right coverage yourself. 

UM/UIM coverage is critical in these scenarios and can be purchased as extra coverage on your auto insurance policy. It can help you recover monetarily for injuries, lost wages, medical bills, long-term care, property damage, and pain & suffering resulting from the accident. It also applies to your family, following you wherever you go and providing a critical financial safety net in the event of an accident. Since this coverage is so broadly applied to the policyholder, it is one of the most beneficial coverages to have. The recommended amount of UM/UIM coverage for a cyclist is $1 million or more if you can afford it.

What to Do Following a Bicycle Accident

When faced with a bicycle accident, it can be overwhelming. However, taking the following steps can help to ensure the best chance at a stress-free recovery:

1. Seek medical help immediately
2. Call 911 and request police
3. Do not admit fault or make a statement to anyone but the police
4. Find witnesses and get their names and contact information. The more you find, the better
5. Do not discuss accident details with anyone – particularly insurance companies

In addition, you should take photos and videos of:

• The entire accident scene, including street signs
• The driver’s car showing any damage, and their license plate
• The driver’s license and insurance policy card
• The damage to your bicycle
• All injuries you suffered
• The police officer’s name and badge number

Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are often caused by the negligence or wrongdoing of others. However, cyclists can take some precautionary steps to keep themselves safe on the road. 

Ride Smart, Ride Safe: Bike Safety Tips to Help Avoid a Crash

• Wear a properly secured helmet. In North Carolina, helmets are required for all bike riders under 16. Still, people of all ages should wear a helmet with a snug fit to prevent serious head injuries.
• Limit distractions. Distracted driving is a leading cause of fatal accidents in the U.S., and distracted cycling could be even more deadly with a biker’s vulnerability to the road. Keep handheld electronics in a pocket or bag, and if you have a water bottle, make sure it is easy to use with one hand.
• Ensure visibility to other drivers by wearing bright colors or utilizing blinking lights. By wearing clothing and accessories that capture the attention of other drivers on the road, you could prevent an accident due to the driver not seeing you.
• Avoid sidewalks. Sidewalks are meant for pedestrians, so you have an increased risk of a pedestrian accident by riding on them. Sidewalk pavement is also more likely to be uneven than asphalt on the street, so hitting a crack or a bump on the sidewalk could launch you into the road and put you in immediate danger.
• Signal turns. By raising your arm in the direction you are going to turn, you indicate to drivers where you’re going, so there are no surprises in your route change.
• Stay to the right of the road. You must always ride your bike on the right side of the road in the direction of traffic to keep yourself and everyone else safe – it is the law.

If you’re involved in a bike accident, you need an injury attorney you can turn to who knows the ins and outs of bicycle accidents. That’s where the bike accident lawyers at Henson Fuerst step in.

A North Carolina Cycling Attorney Who Puts You First

Bike Lawyer NC is owned and operated by attorney Thomas Henson of Henson Fuerst Attorneys – a team of trusted personal injury attorneys based in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

As a dedicated cycling enthusiast, Thomas provides educational tools and useful resources to promote endurance sports including cycling and running. He uses his years of experience as a personal injury lawyer and passionate rider to represent cyclists across North Carolina. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bicycling accident through no fault of your own, contact Henson Fuerst by calling 919-781-1107 or submitting a free case evaluation form online today.