Does Your Head Hurt? Bicycle Accident Head Injuries

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Does Your Head Hurt? Head Injuries from Bicycle Accidents in Michigan

bicycle accident

Riding a bicycle has many benefits, from additional exercise to opting for a more environmentally friendly mode of transportation. Also, the cost of owning and maintaining a vehicle has only gone up over the years. It’s not hard to understand why more and more people are choosing to commute via bicycle rather than by car. However, there are just as many if not more potential risks you face when riding a bicycle rather than driving a car. 

Anytime you ride a bike on a roadway, you are at risk of a collision. In fact, according to the NHTSA, around 48,000 bicyclists sustain injuries due to motor vehicle collisions every year. Furthermore, bicyclists also sustain injuries due to road defects and malfunctioning bicycles.

In this blog, we discuss some of the most common head injuries that result from bicycle accidents in Michigan.

Helmets

Since they have no seatbelts or any other kind of restraints, any time a bicyclist is involved in any type of collision, they are bound to fall off their bike. When this happens, there is a significant risk that they will hit their head on the ground or other objects. Any time direct trauma occurs to someone’s head, they run the risk of suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI). If an accident occurred due to another party’s negligence, the victim may be entitled to recover from the liable party any related losses such as medical bills, pain and suffering, and loss of ability to maintain income.

Thankfully, safety research in recent years has increased bicycle helmet use drastically. However, many cyclists mistakenly believe that by simply wearing a helmet, they are protected from any kind of injury in the event of a collision. Though helmets do provide a certain degree of protection, bicyclists often times still suffer some form of head trauma or brain injury after a collision despite wearing a helmet. Research actually suggests that wearing a helmet only reduces the risk of head injury by about 50 percent. This means that even cyclists who opt to wear a helmet are still at serious risk of head injury when they get on a bike.

Symptoms of Head Injuries

You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms after a bicycle accident as they could indicate a TBI or other head traumas:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Loss of memory of events before and after the crash
  • Feeling dazed, disoriented, or confused
  • Difficulty thinking clearly, reasoning, making decisions, or problem-solving
  • Difficulty concentrating and paying attention
  • Word-finding difficulty 
  • Slurred speech
  • Headaches
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Balance problems
  • Blurred vision
  • Sensitivity to noise and light
  • Ringing in ears (Tinnitus)

Pursuing a Negligence Claim for a Bicycle Accident Head Injury

You may be able to sue the at-fault party who hit you for pain and suffering damages, but you will need to prove that you suffered “serious impairment of bodily function” as a result of your injuries. Keep in mind that this is not required to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other economic damages. Victims have three years following the date of the accident to pursue a lawsuit against the at-fault party. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will be able to help you pursue a claim against the negligent party and sort out the details of your case.

Contact Us Today

Here at Lee Steinberg Law, our Flint bicycle accident lawyers treat our clients like family and we are always available to discuss the details of your case and situation. We work aggressively to win your case and get you the compensation you deserve from the insurance company. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to find out how we can help.