Any bicyclist likely knows that riding a bicycle can be fun but also dangerous. The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) estimates that 1 in 20 bicyclists suffer injuries every year in the United States. The majority of the serious injuries are traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
With more and more distracted drivers on the road, it is no surprise that approximately one-third of bicycle accidents result from a collision with a vehicle, according to the BHSI. In a collision, a bicycle is no match for a car, even at low speeds. It does not take an impact crash for a bicyclist to suffer injury and even death. Some of the most serious injuries occur when a motorist drives a bicyclist off the road.
In addition to head injuries, common bicycle injuries include:
· Neck and back injuries
· Broken bones and fractures
· Amputation and facial injuries
· Road rash and scarring
As mentioned above, TBI is the most common cause of death in bicycle accidents. The BHSI estimates that over 400 children die each year from bicycle-related TBI. That is a conservative estimate, says the BHSI, because TBI symptoms are not always apparent, which means victims do not immediately seek emergency treatment.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans accident lawyers