Bicycle accidents cause untold pain and suffering to innocent victims. Accidents can take many forms and have numerous causes. Accidents may involve motor vehicles, or result from a simple tumble by a playing child. Unique to bicycle accident is the number of head injuries. In 1996, 757 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles. In 1996, bicyclists younger than 16 years old accounted for 32% of those killed in traffic crashes. According to reports, 96% of bicyclists killed in 1996 were not wearing helmets. Each year about 153,000 children get treatment in hospital emergency departments for bicycle-related head injuries. In 1991, societal costs associated with bicycle-related head injury or deaths resulting from head injury were more than $3 billion.

The proper use of approved bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk for head injury by as much as 85% and the risk for brain injury by as much as 88%. It is estimated that 75% of bicycle-related fatalities among children could be prevented if all children on bicycles wore helmets. Universal use of bicycle helmets by children aged 4 through 15 years old would prevent between 135 and 155 deaths, between 39,000 and 45,000 head injuries, and between 18,000 and 55,000 scalp and face injuries annually. There are states and local laws requiring the use of helmets, particularly for young riders. See also Brain Injury Handbook.

If you or a loved one are injured in a bicycle accident, there are a number of important factual and legal issues.    

• Did the accident involve a motor vehicle?

• If so, was the driver cited or arrested?

• What time of day did the accident happen?

• Were all rules of the road being observed?

• Was alcohol involved?

• Was a young child permitted to ride in the street?

• Did the supervisor of  the child allow them to ride a bicycle without a helmet?

• Were proper instructions given as to how to wear a bicycle helmet correctly?

• Was an improper helmet sold by a seller knowing the purchaser was relying on their expertise?

• Was the helmet properly fitted?

• Did the helmet properly function?

• Did the straps and buckles work properly?

• Did the bicycle helmet  meet the safety standards developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Snell Memorial Foundation, or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)?

• Was the bicycle defective?

• Was the bicycle owned, rented or borrowed?

• Was the bicycle properly maintained?

• Were there any road defects?

• Has the injured person been properly evaluated for head injury?

It is important that all bicycle injuries be evaluated by an experienced legal team. Complex legal and medical issues may be involved. If you, a friend, or loved one are injured on a bicycle, you should take immediate steps to protect your or their interest. Do not compromise your rights by making statements to the press, insurance investigators, potential defendants, or their representatives. Consider the suggestions in our accident guide, and call us immediately. We are here to help. At Larry King, P.C., we recognize the unique issues pertaining to accidents and injuries. You can call us at (757) 595-8100 seven days a week, 24 hours a day, everyday of the year. We also offer a free legal-infoline service, and you can now contact us on this web site by using the following Personal Injury Contact form. We are committed to doing the extra things it takes to help our clients.