What is the Most Serious Type of Bicycle Accident?

Injuries to a person's head cause the most long-term disabilities and fatalities in bicycle accidents. With some exceptions, bicyclists have a right to use public roadways in North Carolina. Unfortunately, many drivers choose to drive while distracted or intoxicated. Drivers may choose to ignore traffic safety laws that protect bicyclists.

When drivers fail to use reasonable care, they jeopardize everyone on the road, including bicyclists. The impact of a motor vehicle colliding with a bicyclist can cause severe injuries to the bicyclist praying. The bicyclist may be thrown off the bicycle and hit their head on the pavement. In other cases, the vehicle could cause the bicyclist to have a brain injury. Head injuries can still occur even when bicyclists use a bicycle helmet.

A person's injuries in a bicycle accident may be noticeable immediately. For example, when a bicyclist breaks a bone, the affected area will probably be in pain immediately. In other cases, the injury may take time to become evident because the symptoms do not appear immediately after the accident. For example, if a victim is thrown from his bicycle, he could suffer injuries all over the body. The victim might notice injuries to their legs because they suffered the most severe lacerations and bruises.

As time goes on, the victim might begin to notice symptoms of a concussion, indicating a head injury. It is crucial that you receive a thorough medical evaluation after a bicycle accident injury. After the shock of the accident wears off, you may notice head injury symptoms. Receiving medical treatment is crucial, especially for those with a concussion or head injury. Early intervention can make a significant difference in your prognosis.

The slim, lightweight frames of bicycles mean that they can be seriously damaged or completely wrecked in a seemingly mild accident. The bike can usually be repaired, but a person's body may not be able to recover from all of their injuries. The injuries could range from acute trauma to severe trauma in the following parts of the body:

• Skin and Soft Tissue: As with motorcycle accidents, road rash can also occur in bicycle accidents. Road rash can be dangerous because it can lead to infection.
• Genitourinary: Bicyclists can suffer rectal trauma, pelvic fractures, and urethral and vulva trauma
• Abdomen: A person's internal organs risk becoming injured in bicycle accidents. Splenic rupture, renal contusion, hepatic laceration, vascular perforation, pancreatic trauma, small or large bowel contusions, ruptures, and traumatic hernias can occur
• Chest: Injuries to a person's lungs and rib fractures are also common
• Musculoskeletal: Streams, sprains, just locations, and fractures can occur
• Eye/Face: Contusions, dental fractures, facial fractures, and corneal foreign bodies
• Head injuries: Concussions, brain contusions, skull fractures, intracranial hemorrhage, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

This list of injuries is not exhaustive but includes some of the most common ones.

After a bicycle accident occurs, it is essential that you get a police report. Doing so can help you protect your rights and return to normal more quickly. Try to document your medical journey. Keep documentation from your doctor's visits, take your prescription medication on time, attend your physical therapy visits, and follow your doctor's orders.

Collect as much evidence as possible and keep your medical bills. You should also keep a record of any expenses related to your injuries, such as travel expenses to and from the doctor. Write down all the days you had to take off of work because of your injuries so you can pursue a claim for lost income. It would be best if you also took note of your pain levels, as pain and suffering damages are available in personal injury lawsuits.

Bicycle accident victims do not have the same external protection as drivers and passengers in motor vehicles. As a result, they are more likely to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries. Pursuing a claim for compensation can help you and your loved ones as you move forward. You only have a limited time to file a claim for compensation, so the sooner you speak to an attorney about your case, the better. If you or your loved one have suffered a severe bicycle injury, the attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC are here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.