Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Cycling has become an increasingly popular way to get around in Atlanta, as it is efficient, saves money, reduces our carbon footprint, and gives riders the chance to stay active. Cyclists, however, are still vastly outnumbered by motor vehicles, which are larger, heavier, faster and much more dangerous in the event of a collision. For these reasons, injuries sustained in accidents with drivers are almost always serious for the cyclist, often bordering on catastrophic, and sometimes even prove fatal.

Traumatic Brain Injuries 

Because cyclists lack the protection of a vehicle, air bags, and seat belts, they are much more likely to suffer an injury in a vehicle-bicycle crash. Of the many types of injuries that cyclists can sustain in collisions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are both amongst the most common and the most serious. These injuries can range in severity from mild concussions to more serious problems, like fractures and hemorrhages. Unfortunately, wearing a helmet is no guarantee that a cyclist will avoid such an injury. In fact, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) estimates that between 70 and 80 percent of fatal bicycle crashes involve some sort of head trauma.

Internal Injuries 

A cyclist who is thrown from his or her bicycle upon colliding with a vehicle, whether into the ground or into the car itself, will likely experience some form of serious internal trauma. Being struck by such heavy objects at high speeds can, for instance, result not only in the fracturing and breaking of the bones, but in the piercing of internal organs, like the lungs, spleen, and liver. The force of this trauma can cause internal bleeding, which, if left unaddressed, can prove fatal.

Broken Bones 

Cyclists who encounter much larger vehicles, regardless of speed are also likely to experience some sort of bone fracture. Any of the bones in the human body can break when they encounter enough force, but certain areas tend to be injured more than others in bicycle accident scenarios, including:

• The clavicle, which accounts for as much as 30 percent of upper limb injuries;
• The radius, which accounts for around 20 percent of upper limb injuries;
• The femur, which accounts for around 25 percent of lower limb injuries;
• The tibia, which accounts for as many as 20 percent of lower limb injuries; and
• The pelvis, with such injuries occurring in around 25 percent of bicycle accident victims.

It is also not uncommon for cycling accident victims to sustain more than one broken bone. In fact, some studies reveal that victims sustain two or more fractures in almost 50 percent of bicycle accident cases.

Facial Injuries 

Many cyclists are also thrown from their bicycles upon impact. Even if they miss the vehicle that struck them, they will still hit the ground at a high rate of speed and with great force, often face-first. As a result, many bicycle accident victims end up sustaining serious facial injuries, usually to the nose, jaw, and teeth. Victims may also experience road rash where their skin comes into contact with the asphalt, causing scarring and a risk of infection.

Dedicated Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Atlanta 

Treating even a minor injury can be expensive. Unfortunately, collisions between cyclists and motorists rarely result in minor injuries, which can leave injured parties on the hook financially for extremely painful treatments and expensive medical bills. At-fault parties who cause these kinds of crashes can, however, be held liable for these losses. Call the experienced Atlanta bicycle accident lawyers at Shiver Hamilton Campbell today to learn more.

Sources: 

safety.fhwa.dot.gov/ped_bike/docs/b_helmetlaws.pdf

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8330467/