In an article published on the WRAL website today, bicyclist Kirk Port was struck by a car while training for a race. This time, there was no serious injury–Mr. Port was scraped up and battered, but otherwise unharmed by the collision. The driver who hit Port kept driving .

To read the full story, which includes rules of the road, click here:  Cyclist Struck by Car

To learn more about laws that bicyclists and motorists must follow, visit the NCDOT’s Division of Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation’s Web site.

And if you have been injured in a cycling accident and have questions about what you should do, feel free to contact one of the HensonFuerst lawyers–many of us are active cyclists. At HensonFuerst, if you have questions, we have answers.

According to a new report by the CDC, every year about 1.7 million people in the United States suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI) every year, and more than 50,000 people die of their injuries. This study looked at injuries suffered during the 2002-2006 survey period.

Compared to previous surveys, the incidence of TBI-related emergency hospital visits increased by 14.4%, and the incidence of hospitalization increased by 19.5%. By some definitions, this could be called an epidemic.

To download a free copy of the CDC report click the link at the bottom of the press release here: CDC press release.

Some highlights of the study:

• TBIs are responsible for about 30% of all injury-related deaths in the United States.
• The leading cause of TBI is falls. And falls are most common among children younger than age 5 and adults age 75 and older.
• The second leading cause of TBI is road traffic injury.

HensonFuerst is active in fundraising to support TBI awareness, prevention, and treatment. To read more about brain injury, see our brain injury page.

There may be snow on the ground today, but three days from now, the weather is forecasted to be perfect for riding: mid-50s, perfectly sunny, no chance of rain (or snow)!

The 50K and 100K Ride for the Rock is a fundraiser event for the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (BIANC). It honors Mark Ornitz, who suffered a life-changing brain injury when he crashed headfirst into a telephone pole while trying to avoid a fallen rider.

There is still space for additional riders on our team… and, of course, donations are always welcome. For more information, contact Thomas Henson, HensonFuest cycling team leader, at ThomasHenson@www.lawmed.com.

Click here for the registration form.

Help us welcome Brain Injury Awareness month by cheering on the HensonFuerst cycling team as we start out on the 100K “Ride for the Rock.” This fundraising event honors Mark Ornitz, a local cyclist who suffered brain injury during a ride.

There are four different ways you can help us along:

1. Join our team! Ride with HensonFuerst! contact ThomasHenson@lawmed.com
2. Come see us off. Be at the Cary Whole Foods parking lot by 9:00am and give us a cheer.
3. Donate. Any amount you can afford is welcome. Contact russell_stapleton@yahoo.com to find out more.
4. Send us an online shout-out!  Visit our Facebook page and post a message of support. (We can use all the good wishes we can get–100K is a long ride.) While you’re there, become a fan. You’ll see our regular and timely posts about product recalls, brain injury updates, and general legal information you can use.

Thank you!

The HensonFuerst Cycling Team

This year’s annual Ride for the Rock to benefit the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina will take place on March 6, 2010. Registration starts at 7:30am (rain or shine!), and roll-out begins at 9:00am from the parking lot of the Whole Foods Market in Cary, NC (please park at the back of the lot).

There are two loops–100K and 50K. The ride is fully supported, with multiple pit stops and a sag wagon. Registration is $15 in advance, $20 day-of. Tee shirts are available for $10. Join the HensonFuerst bike team–we’re 30 strong and growing! (Call us, or email ThomasHenson@lawmed.com)

For more information, or to donate to the ride, visit the sites for the Brain Injury Association of NC or the Capital Cycling Club.

2010 “Ride for the Rock” Poster

How the Ride Began

On July 31, 2005, Mark “the Rock” Ornitz sustained a life-changing brain injury during a group ride when he crashed head first into a telephone pole while trying to avoid a rider who had fallen.

The severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) stopped just short of killing him, but has left him (and his family) with a long and arduous journey of rehabilitation for his ongoing deficits, including intractable pain in his paralyzed right arm and 24-hour medical supervision.

Mark’s family is overwhelmed–physically and financially–and they have been astonished to discover that there is a lack of appropriate resources in North Carolina to help families and patients deal with this type of ordeal. His family wonders what will happen to “the Rock” when they are no longer able to take care of him.

They are not alone in this circumstance.  More than 180,000 North Carolinians suffer from brain injury—this is 5 times greater than the cases of multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, AIDS, and breast cancer combined! Yet in North Carolina, Medicaid does not help people with head injuries if they are older than 22. Nor are there affordable residential facilities that understand how to care for brain injured residents.

Mark’s teammates at The Capital Cycling Club (www.capcycling.org) honor him by keeping his name on their team roster. In addition, they have partnered with the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (www.bianc.net) to conduct the Ride for the Rock to raise awareness of TBI, promote safety among cyclists, and raise funds. Their mission is to offer help, hope, and a voice to people with brain injury and their families.