Discussing the Most Common Injuries in a Bicycle Accident

Bicycle accident injuries occur because of many factors that don't necessarily involve another person. A person riding a bicycle is much more exposed to injuries compared to others because of the nature of the vehicle.

When bicycle riders get hurt because of someone else's fault, however, they should seek compensation. Understanding the options they have available is crucial to getting peace of mind during such a stressful process.

A legal case involving a bicycle accident is complicated, though. One of the first factors to understand involves the most common injuries in a bicycle accident. By reading this page, people will understand how exposed cyclists are to different problems compared to other people. By evaluating the severity of these injuries, victims can discuss their legal options more clearly with an experienced attorney. Who can also advise on common injuries in a motorcycle accident.

What Are the Most Common Cycling Injuries?

Cycling injuries range from minor to devastating. Some of them can also be fatal. The severity depends on the circumstances surrounding the accident. What was happening at the time of the accident? Did the cyclist get hit by a car or a truck?

Simply put, the more complex the accident was, the more likely that the injuries were devastating. Below is a breakdown of the most common cycling injuries a person can experience:

Road Rash

Road rash happens when a person's skin contacts the road's surface. When a cycling accident happens, it's common for the cyclist to fall and slide on the pavement after the collision. The victim can experience severe scrapes and abrasions after this.

Some factors that influence how harsh the road rash is include the speed and force of the fall. The extent of the skin that contacts the road also influences how severe the injury is.

Road rash is usually painful because the injuries can expose or damage the nerve endings of the skin. If the fall is forceful, the person may also experience contusions and swelling, which add up to the pain.

One of the main problems with road rash is that it's not just about the severity of the wound. Even if the injury isn't too severe, the wound can get infected. This is because it exposes underlying tissue to foreign objects and the road itself. In these cases, not getting immediate medical help can lead to life-threatening problems.

Head Injuries

A head injury mostly happens when the person falls off the bike. While wearing protective gear can minimize the impact, a strong crash can still cause severe problems.

As with road rash, head injuries range from mild to severe. The victim could get a concussion, which is one of the mildest consequences. Concussions involve memory problems, headaches, nausea, and dizziness. The symptoms should go away with enough rest and an efficient treatment.

Other head injuries, however, can lead to skull fractures. These fractures can lead to internal bleeding, neurological symptoms, and other problematic scenarios.

One of the most serious injuries a cyclist can get after an accident is the TBI. A "Traumatic Brain Injury" can range from mild to severe, but it usually results in long-term rehabilitation and/or surgery. Severe cases of traumatic brain injuries can lead to coma or death.

Soft Tissue Injuries

These are among the most common types of injuries when riding a bicycle. They happen when someone is struck by another vehicle, leading to damage to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

Strains and sprains often lead to swelling and pain, resulting in limited mobility for the victim. With proper treatment, the victim could achieve a full recovery.

Fractures

Fractures happen when the person breaks the bones in their arms, legs, or other parts. As with soft tissue injuries, fractures are also common. The severity of the fracture will depend on how hard the victim got hit or fell to the ground after the collision.

Victims can't only break their limbs after an accident. In some cases, they may also get broken hips, collarbones, and ribs.

Usually, victims can recover from fractures within a few months with proper treatment and rehabilitation. They may have to wear a cast to maximize the efficiency of the treatment. In other cases, the victim may have to get surgery and physical therapy to get back on track.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Severe accidents can lead to damage to the spinal cord. A spinal cord injury can cause a person to lose mobility, strength, or even sensation in certain parts of their body.

The main problem with spinal cord injuries is that they can lead to partial or permanent paralysis. Not only are these injuries extremely painful, but they also lead to expensive treatments and other bills that will affect the victim's life in the long term.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries happen when the accident causes damage to a person's internal organs. A victim is considered to have such an injury when they're bleeding internally too.

It's important for the victim to seek medical help even if they don't think they have any injuries. Many internal injuries aren't visible at first, and they will get worse if the person doesn't get assistance right away.

Facial Injuries

Facial injuries involve any damage to the eyes, nose, or mouth. Dental injuries, for example, may fall into this category. As with any other injuries from this category, it's crucial to seek medical attention immediately to avoid any further consequences for the body, including disfigurement.

Wrongful Death

Due to the nature of bicycle accidents, it's not uncommon for a cyclist to experience life-threatening injuries. When the crash is too severe, it can lead to another person's death. It's unfortunate, and it can lead to unbearable pain for the surviving family members.

Even if the other person didn't mean to cause the victim's death, they must be held accountable for their actions. In these cases, the victim's family should consider talking to a professional bicycle accident attorney to evaluate all the available options. This will help get them money to cover certain expenses, including funeral and burial costs.

What Makes Bicycle Accidents Happen?

Unfortunately, cyclists are exposed to many dangers when they're outside. They're encouraged to wear enough protective gear to minimize risks, but they're still exposed to accidents if they encounter a reckless driver or a hazardous condition that prevents them from maneuvering correctly.

These are the most common causes of cycling accidents:

Reckless Riding

Reckless driving/riding is one of the most common causes of accidents. Everyone has the obligation to behave while they're on the road. Whether the person is going at excessive speeds or doing anything that endangers other people, these are actions that make an accident more likely to happen.

Some "reckless actions" include running stop signs, not stopping at red lights, or not keeping a safe distance between vehicles. People who don't pay attention to the road are also exposing themselves (and everyone else) to accidents.

Poor Road Conditions

Poorly maintained roads can create the conditions for an accident. Whether it's debris, a pothole, or gravel, an uneven road can easily make a driver or cyclist lose the maneuverability of their vehicle. They can lose control and cause an accident. In the case of the cyclist, they can even be thrown off their bike.

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Certain weather conditions like strong winds, rain, or snow can make accidents more likely to happen. Cyclists may get reduced traction and visibility under these conditions, so they must be even more careful while they're on the road. Otherwise, they risk colliding with someone else.

What Should People Do After a Bicycle Accident?

If they can still move, they should get everyone else involved in the accident to safety. Once there's no one left in danger, they must contact emergency responders to get medical attention to everyone.

The victim should take videos and photos of the accident scene, as this will serve as evidence later. It's also helpful to contact the police to get a report, get the contact information of the other people involved in the accident, and talk to any witnesses who were around.

Once the victim has gathered enough evidence and information, they can contact an attorney to figure out their next steps. They can also help with common injuries in a pedestrian accident.

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Victims?

A personal injury attorney can help the victim prepare their case as efficiently as possible. It's already painful to deal with the injuries. Throwing in the stress of a legal case will only make things worse.

Attorneys will guide the victim through each step of the process, including gathering evidence, talking to the at-fault party and potential witnesses, and negotiating with insurance companies. They'll also represent the victim in court if it's necessary.

When the victim hires a legal professional for their case, they make things much easier for themselves, emotionally speaking.

Bottom Line

Cyclists are already exposed to many dangers while using their vehicles. Whether it's overuse injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome/knee pain or accident wounds like cuts and lacerations, cyclists don't deserve to cover the damages that happen because of the negligence of other people on top of that.

Getting into a crash with a cyclist will likely cause them plenty of severe injuries. When this happens, the victim deserves to recover peacefully while they get legal help. At the Powell Law Firm, there's a team of legal experts ready to discuss all the legal options victims have available after a bicycle accident in St. Louis.

It doesn't matter if the victim experienced acute injuries or something much more devastating. These legal experts are ready to seek justice for what happened, ensuring there's no stone left unturned. People interested in seeking a free consultation with this legal team can do it today.