Brian White | January 30, 2024 | Bicycle Accidents
When you head out to the park or opt to cycle for your morning commute, the last thing you expect is for a reckless driver to seriously harm your health. However, this situation is a reality that happens to countless cyclists daily. Bike accidents can lead to a variety of injuries, but some are more common than others.
If you or a loved one have been harmed in a bicycle accident, you’re probably preparing to begin the process of seeking compensation. Before you start, it can help to have an idea of which injury types are most common in a bike accident.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A recent 11-year study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that increasing numbers of adults are dying from head injuries sustained in bicycle accidents. The study concluded that more adults have taken to cycling but have opted to forego helmet use.
When a cyclist doesn’t wear a helmet, there’s a high chance of an accident resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even when bicyclists wear helmets, bad accidents can still result in head injuries.
TBIs are one of the most serious types of injuries cyclists can experience. A severe TBI can result in a lifelong coma, the need for long-term attendant care, and the inability to return to work or participate in family life.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Cyclists have little protection in an accident. When a bike collides with an object or another vehicle, the cyclist is often thrown through the air or pinned between two objects. This sort of situation easily leads to a spinal cord injury.
A recent study noted that of all types of spinal injuries, bike accidents are most likely to result in cervical spinal injury. Bicycling was identified as the second most common source of cervical spinal injuries. Only falls result in more injuries to the cervical region of the spine.
Spinal cord injuries can involve any part of the spinal column, from the neck down to the base of the spine.
Depending on the location of the spinal injury, the cyclist can experience lasting symptoms like:
- Full paralysis
- Partial paralysis
- Loss of movement in the arms or legs
- Nerve issues
- Chronic pain
- Limited mobility
Along with traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries are one of the most devastating — and expensive — types of injuries bicyclists frequently experience.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are one of the most common bike accident injuries. Breaking bones in the arms and legs occurs at a high frequency in bicycle accidents. Broken clavicles are also common among cyclists. These typically occur when the cyclist falls forward and lands on their chest or shoulder.
Unlike spinal or brain injuries, broken bones are typically expected to result in a full recovery. That means this sort of injury is less serious. However, even a broken bone can have a serious impact on a bicyclist’s finances.
A broken bone can take a while to heal. There’s also a risk for complications, such as infection or improper healing. In the meantime, the injured cyclist may be unable to return to work until the injury is fully healed.
Getting Help With Bicycle Accident Injury Costs
Bicycle injuries can change the course of your future in an instant. Even when an eventual recovery is possible, it can take many years to recover from the financial burden of medical debt coupled with lost wages during recovery. When bike accident injuries are permanent, it’s even more pressing to get immediate help with affording the costs of care.
If you or a loved one are injured in a bike accident, it’s important to understand your options. Document the injuries and consult a Houston bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to help you identify how to recover the compensation you need.
Contact the Houston Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help
For more information, contact the Houston bicycle accident law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 224-4878.
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