Imagine for a moment you’re on a pleasant bike ride, you feel the breeze on your face, and a sense of adventure that you just can’t quite get from a car. It is a beautiful day, until … suddenly a car veers into the bike lane crashing into you and causing serious injury. Bicycle accidents are unfortunately all too common these days, with distracted driving on the rise it is getting harder and harder to be seen on the road while cycling. With these accidents come a wide variety of injuries, varying from minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises to severe life altering trauma or worse. In this article we will be looking into the most common injuries that you may suffer from in the unfortunate event of a bicycle accident.
Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries
The number one most significant risk in the event of a bicycle accident is head trauma. Even with helmets, a cyclist is still susceptible to head injuries upon impact. In fact 74% of fatal accidents from a bicycle accident involved a head injury. Traumatic Brain Injuries or TBIs can lead to a wide range of cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments. If you experience any sort of head trauma from a bicycling accident, it is crucial that you seek medical attention immediately. Early treatment can help catch a TBI as well as provide a comprehensive assessment to determine the extent of your injuries.
Fractures and Broken Bones
The impace of a bicycle collision can often result in fractures and broken bones, especially in the arms, wrists, collarbones, and legs. These injuries can be painful and require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, casting, and physical therapy. Proper medical documentation is crucial for establishing the severity and consequences of these injuries in legal proceedings.
Cuts, Road Rash and Abrasions
Other injuries that you may experience in the event of a bike or bicycle crash are cuts, road rash and abrasions to your skin. When you are hit or thrown from your bike the exposed skin can suffer cuts, road rash and other scrapes, bruises and abrasions due to direct contact with the road. These injuries can range anywhere from minor scrapes or to deep cuts that may result in scarring. If your skin has been affected by a cycling accident, it is important to seek medical attention as it can help prevent an infection as well as any other complications. Documenting these injuries through photographs can also help support your personal injury claim against the liable party’s insurance company.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and tears in muscles, ligaments, and tendons, are extremely common in bicycle accidents. These injuries might not be immediately apparent, and if they are not properly treated their effects can linger, causing ongoing pain and reduced mobility. Seeking a medical evaluation can be vital as it can diagnose your injuries and allow you to get treatment so that you heal properly and effectively.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries to your spinal cord are also common in bicycle accidents, which can lead to a significant impact on your quality of life. Depending on the severity of the accident, you may find that you have trouble standing for long periods of time, or constant discomfort in your back, or worst of all permanent paralysis. If you notice tension in your back seek immediate medical attention to prevent further damage and to create a comprehensive treatment plan. With a spinal cord injury your recovery may lead to long term care, and the need to use adaptive equipment, and seeking treatment and legal help as soon as possible can greatly help your recovery.
Facial Injuries and Dental Trauma
Facial injuries, including fractures of the nose, jaw, or cheekbones, are common in bicycle crashes. Additionally, cyclists may suffer dental trauma due to the impact of the accident. These injuries can lead to high medical bills, as well as both physical and psychological distress, necessitating specialized medical care and potential cosmetic procedures to address facial scarring.
Bicycle accidents can lead to a wide array of injuries, ranging from mild to severe, with life altering consequences. Before you set out on your next cycling adventure be sure to put on your helmet and stay alert at all times. In the case that you or someone you know is in a bicycle accident be sure to contact a bike accident lawyer. At LifeLaw Personal Injury our team of bicycle accident lawyers possess expert knowledge of bicycling cases and understand the various injuries that are associated with bicycle accidents. One of our attorneys, David Francis, is a former member of the U.S Cycling Team, along with former teammates Lance Armstrong, Jonathan Vaughters, and George Hincapie. This specialized knowledge allows us to better understand the complex legal issues that arise in a bicycle accident injury. Allow the best bicycle accident attorneys at LifeLaw Personal Injury to help you through this process. Contact us today for a free consultation. We are happy to discuss your case with you and answer any questions that you may have.