Bicycle accidents have the potential to result in serious or even life-altering injuries. The consequences can be especially severe when cyclists are struck by motor vehicles.
If you were injured in a crash, you could be entitled to compensation. A dedicated accident attorney can review your condition and advise you on what types of compensation may be available. Reach out to Valero Law Group today if you sustain injuries from a Modesto bicycle accident.
Common Examples of Bike Accident Injuries
The most common bike accident injuries that occur in Modesto and the surrounding areas can range from relatively minor to potentially deadly. Understanding the nature of this harm may be helpful for anyone considering a civil suit after a crash. Some common injuries include:
Head Injuries
Injuries to the head are not only common but are also the single most significant cause of fatalities in cycling accidents. Any impact to the head may have serious consequences, including traumatic brain injuries. The most common of these are concussions, which occur when an impact to the head is strong enough to jolt the brain and damage it in the process.
Helmets may reduce the risk of serious injuries, but they do not eliminate it.
Spinal Cord Damage
Another serious bike accident injury involves damage to the spinal cord. When the spinal cord is damaged or severed, a cyclist may become paralyzed. These types of injuries are less common than those to the head, neck, and back, but they still occur frequently in bicycle accidents.
Facial Injuries
While injuries to the face may be less likely to have fatal consequences, they can still result in serious pain and disfigurement. Broken bones are especially painful, and eye or dental injuries may require extensive medical intervention to repair. Facial injuries commonly occur when someone is thrown from their bike.
Broken Bones
Bone fractures are also common in bicycle accidents. These injuries often occur first during the initial collision between a bicycle rider and a larger vehicle, and again when the rider is subsequently thrown to the ground. The most common fractures are those involving the arms, wrists, and fingers, as many riders attempt to brace for impact when they fall.
More serious injuries include broken hips, legs, and collarbones.
Internal Bleeding
The nature and scope of an injury is not always immediately obvious after a crash. When a person suffers extreme trauma to their torso, it can lead to internal organ damage that results in bleeding within the body. Unless treated, this condition can be fatal.
After seeking prompt medical evaluation and treatment, your next step should be contacting an experienced injury attorney for guidance on your next steps.
Why Bicycle Accidents May Have Serious Consequences
There are different reasons why many of the most common Modesto bicycle accident injuries are so severe. Unlike passengers in motor vehicles, cyclists lack any substantial form of protection during a crash. This means the rider’s body is likely to absorb most of the force of the impact, which can have devastating consequences.
Cyclists may also suffer further injury when they hit the ground after being thrown from their bicycle. In some cases, this secondary impact may cause more devastating wounds than the initial collision.
Our trusted team knows how to investigate the details of an accident to determine its cause and prove who was liable for the damages. Reach out to learn more.
Talk to a Modesto Lawyer About Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
While it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the common injuries from bicycle accidents in Modesto, understanding the nature and extent of your condition is only one step toward recovering the damages you deserve. You can improve your chances of a fair outcome with the help of a dedicated accident attorney. Reach out to the Valero Law Group as soon as possible to discuss your injuries, review the strength of your case, and learn about any time limits that might apply.