In recent years, there’s been a lot of media attention on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and head trauma in athletics, and for very good reason. Repeated head trauma can lead to debilitating, life-altering, and potentially life-ending consequences.
Far too often, people suffer for months or years due to the effects of traumatic brain injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- At least 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury each year
- Roughly 230,000 of those people are hospitalized
- Around 50,000 TBI victims will die from their injury
- 80,000 to 90,000 more TBI victims will become disabled
If you or a loved one suffered this type of injury, speak with a Riverside bicycle accident lawyer right away.
Head Injuries and Cycling
One big area of concern, particularly around athletics, concerns cycling and bike riding. Given that bicyclists ride only on two wheels, they run the risk of colliding with the ground and suffering brutal head injuries.
According to the National Safety Council, roughly one-third of bicycle injuries are to the head, and at least 54% of those head injuries involved riders who didn’t wear a helmet. But do helmets actually do a considerable amount to prevent serious head trauma?
The answer, perhaps not so surprisingly, is a resounding “yes!” But how much so? Up to a 70% head injury risk reduction, according to the International Journal of Epidemiology. Laws mandating bike helmet wear vary from state to state, but legally required or not, we strongly encourage the regular wear of helmets every time you hop on a bike.
Helmets, of course, cannot protect you from all head injuries, and some head trauma can be life-threatening. According to the Federal Highway Administration, there were 846 U.S. pedal-cycling fatalities over the most recent reported year (2019). Hazardous roads, bike trails, and negligent motorists are all factors that can lead to tragedy. So what do you do in the aftermath of a bike crash?
What To Do After A Bike Accident
Safety should be the first priority for you and all parties involved in a bicycle collision. You can maximize the odds of ensuring safety by being proactive and following these steps carefully:
- Call 9-1-1 if you are physically capable of doing so.
- Move off the road or trail and get to safety, if possible.
- Wait for first responders to arrive on the scene.
- Obtain the insurance and contact info of all parties involved, if possible.
- Obtain the contact info of any witnesses, if possible.
- Seek appropriate medical attention ASAP.
Last but not least, seek legal representation if any other negligent parties were involved in an accident. Your injuries may incur serious damages that you won’t just want to let go, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage expenses
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium
Seek all of your recoverable damages and fight to receive the accountability you deserve with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney. Having the right help often means maximum financial recovery for your head injuries and other losses.
