Bicyclists must wear protective gear to guard them from serious injuries when the driver of a motor vehicle hits them.
Bicycles do not have the structure of motor vehicles that can protect those using them from blunt-force trauma, so riders must wear gear that can help cushion the impact of a collision. While the gear cannot fully safeguard a bicyclist from the trauma of an accident, it can help provide some protection from the most severe bicycle accident injuries.
Some protective gear that can protect someone during a bicycle accident includes a helmet, eye protection, gloves, knee and elbow pads, and heavy-duty clothing. Bicycle lights and reflective clothing can also help drivers see bicyclists, so they can adjust their vehicles accordingly to avoid a collision.
If you were involved in a bicycle accident, you could file a bicycle accident claim with the at-fault party to recover fair compensation for your damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and lost earning potential.
The Importance of Wearing Safety Gear While Riding a Bicycle
Bicycle accidents occur when a larger motor vehicle collides with a bicyclist or a bicyclist loses control of their bike and crashes into a heavy object. While all bicycle riders must practice safe riding techniques, they cannot always avoid accidents. A negligent driver who drives drunk, too fast, or distracted may force a rider into a dangerous bicycle accident.
The best chance for a bicycle rider to avoid severe injuries from a bicycle accident is to wear protective gear to safeguard them from blunt-force trauma. No gear can guarantee full safety when a bicyclist is struck by a large vehicle or object, but they can help cushion some of the physical trauma. This protection could be the difference between a minor physical injury or a severe injury that causes long-term pain and suffering.
Helmets Can Help Prevent Head Trauma During a Bicycle Accident
Helmets are a common protective gear worn by bicyclists and motorcyclists to avoid head trauma caused by an accident. Without a helmet, your head can receive a direct blow that can cause damage to the brain and lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries, such as concussions, contusions, and coup-contrecoup brain injuries, can dramatically affect a person’s quality of life by causing cognitive difficulties.
TBIs can cause severe headaches, vision loss, slurred speech, memory problems, and seizures that can negatively affect your daily standard of living. Wearing a helmet could be the difference between living with cognitive issues for weeks, months, or years or being able to escape from an accident without a major head injury. Some bicyclists do not wear helmets because some states do not require them legally, but this mistake can cost them because of the medical expenses, physical pain, and loss of enjoyment of life caused by TBIs.
What Protective Clothing Should a Bicyclist Wear?
Bicyclists should wear heavy-duty clothing during their ride to protect them from the impact of the ground during a bicycle accident. While heavy-duty clothing will not fully prevent broken bones and other physical injuries, it can help if a bicyclist falls off their bike and scrapes across the ground. Impact with the asphalt of a road or pavement of a sidewalk can cause road rash, which heavy-duty clothing can help protect a bicyclist from.
During a bicycle accident, a bicyclist’s eyes can also be exposed to impact with a heavy or sharp object. To avoid injuries that can affect their vision long-term, bicyclists should wear protective eyewear like goggles or glasses. They can also wear protective pads to avoid elbow and knee injuries caused by blunt-force trauma.
Use Lights on Your Bicycle When Riding at Night
When riding a bike at night, bicyclists can be in danger of being struck by a vehicle that cannot see them. It can be so dark that a driver does not notice the bicyclist is there and hits them before they can see they’re in front of them. To prevent these issues while riding at night, a bicyclist should use lights on their bike to make it easier for drivers to see that they’re there.
Bicyclists can buy lights that can run along the inner circle of their tires, or head and back lights to shine at both ends of the bike. Either way, these can help allow drivers to identify bicyclists, so they don’t make the mistake of crashing into them and causing severe bicycle accident injuries.
Should You Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Bicycle accident victims can suffer significant economic and non-economic damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life. They can file a bicycle accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company to pursue compensatory damages. However, handling the claim independently without legal experience can lead to mistakes that can hurt their ability to recover full compensation for their damages.
Their best chance of recovering fair compensation can come from hiring a bicycle accident lawyer with years of experience handling these claims. They can use their bicycle accident claim experience and expertise to inform the claim process and explain whether their insurance can cover their damages. They can advise on the best steps to take and how to handle each step to maximize their potential for recovering fair compensation for damages.
Learn more: Safety Tips for Preventing a Motorcycle Accident
Contact The Russo Firm for Help With Your Bicycle Accident Claim
The bicycle accident lawyers at The Russo Firm can offer their expertise and vast resources to help with your bicycle accident claim. They can help you calculate the cost of your damages, determine the at-fault party, collect tangible evidence, and negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance provider.
At The Russo Firm, our bicycle accident lawyers will collaborate with you to determine the best legal counsel plan for recovering fair compensation for your bicycle accident damages. Contact us for a free bicycle accident consultation today at (561) 270-0913 or leave a message on our online contact page.
