Raleigh, N.C. - Early Sunday morning, a bicycle rider was seriously injured as he was driving his bicycle in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The bicyclist, Steven Otto, is a student at Raleigh campus of N.C. State University.  According to news accounts and police investigators, the driver of the car is also listed as a fellow college student at N.C. State.

The accident occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Sunday, and it appears that the driver of the automobile simply failed to notice the bicycle rider directly ahead of him and approaching in the opposite direction.  Reports do not indicate whether the cyclist had lights and proper safety gear.  However, it appears clear that the driver should have seen the bicycle approaching and allowed him time to pass BEFORE turning across opposing traffic lanes.  Unfornately, the driver, Mr. Ross Everett Chapman was impaired at the time, with a reported BAC of .12 (one and one half times the legal limit) recorded shortly after the collision with the bicycle and rider.

According to Raleigh, N.C. personal injury attorney Carl Nagle, the victim in this case should be very careful in all dealings with the drunk driver's insurance adjusters and legal representative.  Former insurance adjuster Nagle now only represents the rights of injury victims.  Mr. Nagle went on to say "The insurance company is truly there only to defend the rights of the drunk driver.  Thus, the victim and his family should avoid facilitating their efforts.  This is a tragedy that could have easily been avoided.  Steps should be taken to evaluate the drunk driver's criminal and driving record, and to pursue a claim for punitive damages if the driver is a repeat offender.  College students who choose to drink and driver endanger the lives of everyone in the community, and a message should be sent through the community to show that this type of reckless conduct will not be tolerated".

The victim was transported by EMS to the hospital for evaluation and care.  He was listed as being in serious condition.  Witness reports indicate that the impact caused the bicycle rider to strike the front hood and windshield or the car, shattering Chapman's windshield.

The N.C. State Raleigh campus directory lists Steven Kendal Otto as a senior chemistry major from Apex. Chapman is listed as a junior civil engineering major from Raleigh.

For information about the rights of personal injury victims and the victims of drunk driving accidents in Raleigh, N.C. or throughout North Carolina, contact the motor vehicle accident lawyers at Nagle & Associates at (919) 433-0035 or toll free at (800) 411-1583.  The Nagle firm deals only with motor vehicle accident cases.