Bicycles are a common and popular form of transportation. Unfortunately, cyclists are at a higher risk of serious injury and even death when biking on or near a road.
Collisions with passenger vehicles and other vehicles can be extremely serious and leave cyclists with lasting injuries and pain. Knowing some of the most common injuries in these collisions can help you understand how serious they are.
Head injuries
Bicyclists are strongly encouraged always to wear a helmet while riding a bike. Even with a helmet, head injuries can occur. These range from minor cuts and scrapes to more serious skull fractures and brain injuries.
Trauma to the body
In a collision with a motor vehicle, almost all bicyclists will experience some type of injury or trauma to their body. This includes musculoskeletal injuries and soft tissue injuries. If someone’s back wheel is hit by a vehicle, it may result in whiplash, while bikers who are hit from the side may deal with serious leg and knee injuries.
If the cyclists see that the accident will happen, they may attempt to “brace” themselves, which can cause broken hands, wrists and arms. Other injuries that may occur include fractured or broken ribs, damage to the internal organs and internal bleeding.
Death
Some bicycle accidents are so severe that the cyclist passes away. Unfortunately, these situations are more common than some people realize.
Your rights after a bicycle accident
If you are involved in a bicycle accident, you can recover compensation from the at-fault party if you prove their negligence resulted in the accident and your injuries. Unfortunately, these types of accidents can result in long-term issues, so recovering compensation is often needed to help cover the costs.