Bicycle riding is a fun, healthy, and inexpensive way to travel about. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bicycle trips account for 1% of all trips that take place in the United States. Bicyclists face more vulnerabilities to serious injuries if they are in an accident than do occupants of a car in a crash. In 2015, there were over 1,000 bicyclist deaths and close to 467,000 injuries from accidents on bicycles.
Due to the increasing dangers on the road from the rising amount of distracted drivers, bicyclists are at even more risk for being hit when they are riding alongside cars. Although other driver’s behavior is a major concern for bicycle commuters, there are additional hazards that can cause a bicyclist to have an injury accident including a pothole, sinkhole, storm sewer grate, debris on the road, and uneven pavement, etc. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, you will need to obtain compensation to help you pay for your medical treatment. The Janesville automobile accident attorneys at the Alexander J. Smith Law Offices can help you with your personal injury claim.
What are the Types of Injuries Bicyclists Can Suffer in an Accident?
Loss of an appendage due to necessary amputation.- Bone fractures in any part of the body that can be mild to severe and may require multiple surgeries.
- Brain injuries from any impact to the head that was sustained in an accident. Even when wearing a helmet, a rider can still sustain brain injuries. While the helmet is effective at preventing major damage to the skull the force to the head will violently thrust the brain inside the skull to smash against the bone. This can damage the tissue causing brain injuries mild to severe in nature. Depending on the severity of your brain injury, it could be something that will have long-term effects or even result in death.
- Dental damage such as chipped or broken teeth or fractures in your jaw can result if you are hit in the face or thrown off of your bike and land on your face.
- Also, if you land on your face other trauma to this region can occur such as soft tissue injuries and/or fractures in the bones in the face. Damage around the eyes or to the eyes can cause life-long sight problem
- Death
- Hand, wrist, and arm damage is common when a body is thrown from a bike the natural instinct is to put out the arms and hands to soften the blow when landing on the ground.
- Joint dislocation
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis resulting in either partial or complete inability to use a part of the body or the majority of the body. Paralysis can be temporary, or victims can suffer from immobility permanently.
- Serious skin burns and abrasions from skin violently sliding against a rough surface often called road rash.
Connect With an Experienced Janesville Personal Injury Lawyer Today
The Janesville personal injury lawyers at the Alexander J. Smith Law Offices will help you when you have been injured in a Wisconsin or Illinois accident that was not your fault. Call the Wisconsin and Illinois personal injury attorneys today to schedule your free consultation at (608) 237-7035 for residents of Wisconsin or (815) 243-9686 for residents of Illinois.