As summer gets closer, more and more people will start heading outside to bike. During the pandemic, bicycling became more popular than ever as people sought opportunities to stay active as well as safer alternatives to public transport. When a bicycle accident happens, people can suffer serious crush and head injuries or even die. Bicycle accidents result in the highest number of sport and recreation-related hospital visits for traumatic brain injury (TBI).
A new report from the CDC shows that between 2009-18, there were more than 500,000 hospital visits for TBIs from bicycle accidents, the majority of which occurred among adult males and kids aged 10-14. Bicycle accident deaths have also been increasing. More than 800 adult bicyclists died in motor vehicle accidents in 2018, the highest number in two decades. As the number of people biking continues to increase, the CDC recommends the following bike safety interventions for states and local communities:
- Build or improve roads with a focus on pedestrian and bicyclist safety, such as adding physically protected bike lanes and intersections
- Increase compliance with traffic laws, including distracted driving
- Increase active bicycle lighting, for example equipping bicycles with lights that can be turned on
- Increase visibility of bicyclists in dark conditions
- Increase helmet use among riders
- Customize messages for high-risk groups
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a sudden injury that causes physical damage to the brain, often caused by a blow to the head or when an object such as a bullet pierces the brain tissue. Head injury symptoms depend on the severity of the damage to the brain and may take several days or weeks to show up. Data shows that wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury in a bicycle accident, including TBI, by as much as 85%.
Can You Sue for a Bicycle Accident?
Yes, you can sue if you were injured, or a family member was killed by a negligent driver while biking. For example, in one recent case, our bike accident lawyers represented a woman who suffered serious injuries, including TBI, in a crash that happened when a car turned left in front of her while she was riding her bike along a parkway.
As avid cyclists themselves, our team of bike accident lawyers, led by Fred Pritzker and Eric Hageman, understand the risks bicyclists face on the road. If drivers of motor vehicles followed the rules of the road, injuries could be prevented, and lives could be saved.