DC Bicycle Accident Injury Severity

Riding bike is often thought of as a pleasant pastime, but many people do not realize the dangers that can come with riding a bike, especially if an individual is involved in a biking accident. DC bicycle accident injury severity can vary depending on the facts of the incident but potential injuries include everything from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries. With so much at stake, it is vital to consult a qualified bike accident lawyer. A skilled attorney could devote the time and resources necessary to help an accident victim recover the damages that they deserve.

Common Bike Crash Injuries 

Common injuries that result from bicycle accidents include soft-tissue injuries, fractures, paralysis, and death. Generally, when a person is on a bike and is hit by a car, they are knocked off of the bike. The person can be injured when the car hits them and they can also be injured when their body hits the ground.

When someone is hit by a car or subsequently falls to the ground, they can break a bone. Pain is a significant consequence of sustaining broken bones in addition to limitations in a person’s daily activities. Other examples of injuries from a bicycle accident are paralysis, death, and soft-tissue injuries. Injuries that have long-term consequences are paralysis and traumatic brain injuries.

Why Bicycle Accidents Can Be More Serious Than Car Accidents

In a car accident, the car is protected and provides a measure of insulation from the force of the impact. Bicycle accidents do not shield a person from any impact and external forces from the car. In addition, the bicyclist is thrown from the bicycle to the road, contributing to DC bicycle accident injury severity.

Other factors that contribute to the severity of a bicycle accident are the speed of the car, whether the bicyclist is wearing a helmet, the overall health of the bicyclist, and whether the fall causes fractures.

The response window for bicycle accident injuries is more critical when there is an open fracture or evidence of spinal cord trauma or brain trauma. It depends on the nature of the collision and the presentation of the individual.

Traumatic Brain Injuries in Bicycle Accident Cases

A traumatic brain injury(TBI) occurs when somebody hits their head. Bicyclists in DC over the age of 16 are not required to wear a helmet. When they are involved in a bicycle accident and are not wearing a helmet, nothing is protecting their head from an impact and a traumatic brain injury can be the result.

There are many gradations of traumatic brain injuries. Mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs) are concussions. Usually, those present with an absence of subdural or subarachnoid hemorrhaging. There are also serious traumatic brain injuries that result in the loss of executive function and may even require evacuation of subdural or subarachnoid bleeding or emergency brain surgery.

What Makes TBIs Significant?

Due to DC bicycle accident injury severity, there are long-term effects that may arise as a result of TBIs. The lingering effects of a traumatic brain injury include dizziness, headaches, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to loud noise, memory problems, loss of ability to think, sensory deprivation, sensory changes, flashbacks, and nightmares. A traumatic brain injury has a major effect on someone’s life such as the inability to perform daily tasks of daily living, work, and function around the house. The MRI can show lesions in the brain such as shearing, hemorrhaging, or swelling.

How Doctors Treat Bike Collision Cases

Doctors evaluate the person’s injuries. If somebody has a broken bone, they may need surgery or casting. If somebody has a traumatic brain injury or paralysis, they may need lifelong care. The doctor develops a period of care planned and makes sure that the patient follows the plan. Doctors understand DC bicycle accident injury severity and could work with individuals to ensure that they receive treatment for their injuries. Furthermore, a skilled bike accident attorney could help an individual recover damages that could go towards paying for medical treatment.