Around the world, millions of people commute to work on bicycles. To keep with the health routine some individuals take a morning or evening ride, other individuals also cover long miles on their bicycle. Yes! Riding a bicycle is a healthy, eco-friendly and cost-effective option. Yet, bike riders are always prone to accidents. Bicycle accidents account for around 2% of all traffic-related deaths per year. Of course, there are cases of unrecorded injuries as well.
Bicycle injury can range from a simple fall-off to getting hit by another vehicle. In this post, we will look into some of the common causes of bicycle accidents, common injuries as well as how you can get the settlement you deserve.
Bicycle Accident Victims
If you want to understand the common cause, first you must understand the breakdown of bicycle victims. As per a recent study: –
- Almost 70% of bicycle accidents victims are male
- The accident patients were aged 12 and younger in 45% of cases
- As much as 62% of bicycle injury victim rode their bikes daily
- Only half of the bicycle rider was wearing a helmet
- Children under the age of 10 have a twice greater risk of serious injury
That said, one of the biggest causes of bicycle accidents is negligence. In most cases, bicyclists break the rules of the road and end up getting injured. Sometimes simple hand signals can help in alerting another person.
Most Common Injuries
Bicycle accidents can cause multiple injuries. Luckily, in most cases, these injuries are often minor, for example
- Strains
- Abrasions
- Minor Fractures
- Contusions
- Lacerations
Typically, bicycle accident victims have debris on their skin. The worst case is a broken bone. You can identify by the symptoms whether it’s a broken bone or a minor fracture. For example, the symptoms of a broken bone include: –
- Bruising
- Lack of movement
- Pain
- Swelling
Broken bone victims require proper medical care. The surest way to determine whether it’s broken bone or minor fracture is through imaging/X-ray scan. Avoid going to a massage therapist directly; first visit your family physician to get proper treatment.
Injury on The Head
If you are planning to get a bicycle, or in case you have one already – ensure to always wear a helmet while riding. Bicyclists are always at a risk of head injury. An injury to the head can become a very serious issue. As much as 60% of deaths are caused by injury to the head.
Trauma after Injury
Although all bike accident injuries are not severe, yet a few can account for trauma. An individual suffering from multiple head injuries can go into a trauma state. In most case trauma after the injury happens because of: –
- Skull Fracture
- Contusions
- Concussions
- Cranial Hemorrhage
Other Injuries
Apart from the aforementioned injuries, a victim of a bicycle accident may also suffer from: –
- Bowel contusions
- Rib Fracture
- Dental Fracture
- Facial Fraction
- Ruptured Spleen
Note: In some cases, riders get injured by their handlebars causing a pelvic fracture and rectal trauma. In a bike accident, you can break or fracture almost anybody in your body.
How to Evaluate Yourself after a Bike Accident
In case you are involved in a bike accident – you should take out some time to evaluate the injury. This is because in many bike accidents there are hidden injuries which get revealed only after some time. So, even if you don’t feel like something is wrong to make sure you do these basic checks: –
- See A Doctor: When you hit your head in an accident, it’s a good idea to go and see a doctor for a complete diagnosis.
- Breathe: A lot of people think that nothing can be done in case of a broken rib and or punctured lung. That’s not true. If you have troubles breathing then go for a medical emergency.
- Spine and Neck: As discussed earlier spine injuries can be extremely serious. In case you suspect your spine or neck is injured, stay still and wait for medical care to arrive.
Accidents can change your life. If you’ve been injured because of a bike accident, it is a good idea to seek assistance from the Best Bicycle Accident Attorney in Los Angeles – Grey Law. A good lawyer will help you to demand compensation as well as a claim from the insurance company.
