Bicyclists are exposed to serious hazards and dangers that other drivers on the road are not. Unlike other modes of transportation, bicycles offer no airbags and no other protection from the outside world. A bicycle helmet and padding are as close as you can come to some protection. This is why New York bicycle accidents involving other drivers can lead to some of the most severe injuries. Feel free to ask a New York bicycle accident attorney about your legal options.

Most Common Bicycle Injuries

After being hit by a driver as a bicyclist, the first thing you want to do is regain your composure. Figure out where you are and then check yourself for major injuries. Learning about some of the most common bicycle injuries can help you with your personal injury claim.

Bicyclists tend to suffer more injuries to the head, face, eyes, chest, stomach, and genitourinary areas. Head injuries most often involve:

• Skull fractures
  
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Intracranial hemorrhaging

The luckiest bicyclists only suffer a mild concussion while others may have to struggle with the effects of a TBI. A moderate to severe TBI can make a person lose their language, movement, and sensory abilities. Some of these changes can be permanent depending on the level of brain damage.

Bone fractures not only happen in the skull with bicycle accidents, but also in the ribs, arms, and legs. Dislocated joints are not uncommon. Since the blunt force for a bicyclist is so much stronger, many bicyclists also suffer internal bleeding. This can be caused by organ ruptures in various areas.

Face and eye injuries often involve severe bruising, dental fractures, and scratched eyes. Lacerations can happen when the face scrapes against the pavement at high speeds during the accident. The real fear of these injuries is infection.

How to Prevent Bicycle Accidents

Despite the wide variety of mild to severe injuries caused by bicycle accidents, there are ways to avoid them. So many bicycle safety tips exist. The most well-known one is wearing a bicycle helmet. Even though a helmet may not completely stop a head injury, the odds of more severe head trauma increases with no helmet.

Avoid bicycle accidents by keeping with the flow of traffic, staying in your designated bicycle lanes, and being extra vigilant at busy intersections. Some of the most severe accidents tend to happen at intersections because so many cars are turning at once. If you assume the other driver does not see you at all times, you will naturally become more cautious.

When you do find yourself on the other side of an accident, do not hesitate to contact a New York bicycle lawyer about what steps to take.

New York Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle accidents can lead to severe and expensive injuries. Consider calling Sullivan and Brill Law Firm today at (212) 566-1000 to speak with a New York City personal injury lawyer for a free consultation. Our dedicated Puerto Rico attorneys might be able to help you obtain significant compensation. You can find us in New York City, Long Island, Kings, Bronx, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland Counties, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.