Author: Ann Groninger
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Some Great Clubs in NC (and a Vacuum)
A few nights ago I/Ann was the speaker for the Boone Area Cyclists’ annual meeting. It was amazing! But I knew that about the club before I went there. One of the things that is so impressive about the Boone Area Cyclists is that they seem to have equally enthusiastic contingents of commuters, roadies and mountain bikers.…
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Bike Crash: do I need a lawyer?
A common question from cyclists injured in a crash or accident is, “do I need a lawyer?” Cyclists can be a tough bunch. We like to figure out things for ourselves. There are two possible scenarios: (1) If the injury is serious, the injured person often thinks, this is a no-brainer, the insurance company will…
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NC Bike Summit, Bike Law Books #1, and NC CX
Law Ann reports on a great weekend. It was a great weekend for bikes, at least in my (Ann’s) world. Thursday was the start of the 3rd annual North Carolina Bicycle Summit, this year in Greensboro. Work kept me away until Saturday, when I drove up to deliver a presentation, along with Jeff Viscount and Steven Goodridge,…
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Responsibility and Cyclists
Bike Law Ann on earning respect. My social media feed is pretty much full with cycling news and race reports. So for the past several days, I’ve seen a lot of news and commentary on two cycling news events: (1) the Kentucky cyclist convicted of riding in the travel lane of a busy thoroughfare and (2) the…
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Police & Cyclists
Too often, those sworn to protect us don’t. One of our great challenges to making cycling safer is to change the public’s mindset so that bicycles are expected and accepted on the road. This change will be difficult to achieve unless it is first embraced by those whose job it is to serve and protect…
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Charlotte Bicycle Accident Lawyer on a Horrible Morning Ride
The roads in Charlotte were not friendly this morning. Riding back alone from my very early morning group ride there were multiple incidents of drivers coming too close to me, two of which were either intentionally mean or extremely reckless. In the first, I came to the bottom of a hill on Sharonview Rd. in…
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Are Bicycle Crashes Accidents?
Although people often use the words ” ” and ” ” interchangeably, those of us that use these words all day agree that an means something unfortunate that cannot be avoided. A , on the other hand, is the result of choices made and risks disregarded. In our line of work, the words “bicycle crash”…
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Profile of North Carolina Bicycle Advocate: Pam Murray
I always said the best way to make cycling better and safer for everyone is simply to get more people out riding their bikes. If there’s one person I know who lives and breathes that philosophy every day, it’s Pamela Murray – founder of PMTNR, charlottespokespeople and last weekend’s Bike Fest. Anyone who knows Pam knows her passion…
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Personalizing the Consequences of Bicycle Crashes – the Gerald Apple Story
I always wonder what it will take to get the attention of motorists. How can we drive it into people that they shouldn’t take risks when operating a two ton hunk of metal at high speed? Maybe stricter traffic laws – lower speed limits, prohibiting cell phone use – would help; or increasing punishments for those who break…
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Take That, Contributory Negligence
Contributory negligence is most frustrating when a driver knows he did something wrong, admits he did something wrong and is still trying to get out of it by arguing that the person he hurt is at least some small percentage at fault. A surprisingly not-so-uncommon explanation: “Yeah I know I didn’t look before turning right on red, but that…
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Contrib Sucks!
We trial lawyers love to talk about our successes, and we get lots of opportunities to do that. But we’re not just your lawyers, we’re your community. When one of us loses, we share the loss. So here’s a trial story that will tell you how much work we have left to do in North…
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Katherine Shubert Dies After Being Hit While Cycling In Summerfield
Our thoughts go out to Katherine’s family and friends: Winston-Salem-Cyclist-Dies-After-Being-Hit-By-SUV. Drivers have the obligation to drive appropriately for the conditions – whether it’s glaring sun or driving rain. Let’s keep working to improve safety, to avoid more tragic and unnecessary deaths. Ann GroningerNorth Carolina lawyer and Bike Law founder, Ann Groninger, has advocated at the state…
