Bicycling Injuries

Bicycling is an increasingly popular form of commuting, recreation, exercise and sport, with about 80 million cyclists in the U.S.

Still, no one who rides a bicycle is immune from the possibility of injury.

At Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers's BikeAttorney.com, our Boston bicycle accident lawyers know the increasing popularity of cycling in the city has increased the possibility for accidents. Boston city officials report more than 90 percent of bike-related injuries involve a bicycle and a car.

Data from the Boston Police Department shows bicyclists are disproportionately injured in these crashes, compared to motorists. That’s largely because cyclists aren’t shielded from direct bodily impact. They don’t have seatbelts and there is no windshield, doors or bumpers to protect them. Even at low speeds, these injuries are often serious and can be fatal.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show bicycle injuries result in lifetime medical costs and productivity losses of about $10 billion.

Understanding the Risk

The City of Boston’s Bicycle Safety Report revealed:

• 98 percent of all those injured in bicycle crashes were bicyclists, even though they accounted for 53 percent of the people involved.
• 2 percent of those injured in these collisions were drivers, even though they accounted for 46 percent of those involved.
• 2 percent of those injured in crashes involving bicycles were pedestrians, though they comprised just 1 percent of all those involved.

Most of the time, cyclists either refused transport or, if they were taken for medical attention, they were transported by Basic Life Support ambulance. However in 7 percent of cases, cyclists had to be transported for emergency medical care via Advanced Life Support (helicopter) or were referred to the local medical examiner (in cases of fatality).

The severity of injuries recorded by Boston EMS in 2009:

• 37 percent – No injury
• 50.7 percent – Not serious, scrapes and bruises
• 9 percent – Serious, hospital emergency room treatment
• 1 percent – Very Serious, 1 or more nights in hospital
• 2.4 percent – Other

Keep in mind, these are only those incidents to which EMS responded. Others may not have contact EMS, either because the injuries weren’t serious or they transported themselves to the hospital.

Common Bicycle Injuries

There are a lot of injuries, particularly in sports, that tend to come on gradually – a torn rotator cuff or a stress fracture. But cycling is different. There are some so-called “overuse injuries,” but more commonly, there is a definitive event – a before and an after.

A study published by the American Academy of Family Physicians reported most bicycle related injuries occur to the upper and lower extremities, followed by the head, face, stomach/ thorax and neck. Most of cases involved “road rash” or abrasions to the skin (which can vary in severity). Other traumatic injuries the study noted were:

• Head – skull fracture, concussion, brain contusion, intracranial hemorrhage
• Face/ eye – contusions, facial fractures, dental fractures, corneal damage
• Musculoskeletal – fractures (especially of collarbones and wrists), dislocation, strains
• Chest – Rib fractures, lung injuries
• Abdomen – ruptured spleen, renal contusion, lacerated liver, bowel contusions or ruptures, perforation of the heart, traumatic hernia
• Genitourinary – Trauma to urethra and/ or vulva, rectal trauma, pelvis fractures
• Skin and soft tissue – “road rash,” contusions and lacerations

Head Injuries

One of the biggest concerns for cyclists is the risk of a head injury. The CDC reports only about half of all cyclists wear helmets. Worse, only 48 percent of children between 5 and 14 wore bicycle helmets when riding, with older kids less likely to wear one than younger kids.

Researchers found that between 22 and 47 percent of bicyclists who suffered injury had some type of head trauma, and that usually involved a collision with a motor vehicle. Head injury caused by impact with a motor vehicle was responsible for 60 percent of all bike-related deaths and also the majority of serious injuries resulting in long-term disability. Neck trauma, although rare, is also usually serious when it happens and usually is the result of colliding with a car or other vehicle.

Cyclists who ride on-road as opposed to off-road are 40 percent more likely to suffer injury to the head, face and mouth.

Of the 741 cyclists killed in the U.S. in 2013, the NHTSA reported more than 60 percent weren’t wearing a helmet.

Prevention of Bicycle Injuries

Street cyclists can’t control the design of the road or the actions of motor vehicle drivers. They can, however, protect themselves by carefully mapping out their routes, donning protective gear, staying alert and obeying all traffic laws.

Protective equipment for cyclists includes:

• Helmets
• Gloves
• Eye protection
• Shorts that are padded
• Non-slip footwear
• Clothing that is bright and reflective

Riders should also ensure their bikes are in good working condition, including:

• The bike fits correctly
• The brakes are effective
• Child carrier seats are in good shape
• Fenders/ spoke guards and suspension checked
• Reflectors and lights on the bicycle

Because of the enormous impact a bicycle injury can have on one’s life and/or their family’s life, it’s important to discuss your legal rights with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Massachusetts.

Contact the Boston Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers's BikeAttorney.com.