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Head injuries are significant for bicyclists

On Behalf of | Jun 24, 2020 | Personal Injury

Bicycling is an excellent way to get some exercise and enjoy the sites around the area. While most bicycle rides successfully end without any incidents, there are times when a bicyclist may get into an accident and suffer an injury. These can range from minor to fatal, so safety must always remain a priority.

One primary hazard that bicyclists face is motorists. When drivers don’t watch for cyclists and infringe upon their right-of-way, crashes can occur. For this reason, drivers and bicyclists must be sure they’re paying close attention to what’s going on around them.

Head injuries are a huge issue

Approximately 22% to 47% of bicyclists who are injured suffer a head injury. These are due primarily to wrecks that involve a motor vehicle. These head injuries include contusions, hemorrhages, fractures and concussions. They can lead to long-term disabilities and even death, and they account for around 60% of these situations.

There is a 40% reduction in head injuries in bicyclists who ride off-road. This is attributed to the fact that they aren’t around vehicles. Additionally, these bicyclists are more likely to wear a helmet more often than other riders.

The chance of a head injury can be reduced greatly if everyone who bicycles wears a helmet. In the case of a motor vehicle versus bicycle crash, a helmet can also reduce the chance of a neck injury in the bicyclist. Neck injuries for bicyclists are rare unless they’re struck by a vehicle.

Other injuries can also occur

Other traumatic injuries can also occur when a car hits a bicycle. These include fractures throughout the body, including the face, limbs and ribs. It’s possible for the lungs and other internal organs to suffer damage in a bicycle wreck. Often, these types of injuries occur when the bicyclist lands on the handlebars.

Any cyclist who is involved in a crash with a motor vehicle should seek medical care. Contacting emergency services, if you’re able, can have the police and paramedics sent to the scene. Even if you don’t think you have a serious injury, having a medical evaluation is a good idea since some injuries might be hidden at first.

You may opt to seek compensation from the driver who struck you. This is done through a personal injury claim that’s filed in civil court. You can seek damages for the medical bills, missed wages and other items that are related to the crash.

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