Bicycle Accident Injuries Becoming More Serious According to Study
According to a new report by Reuters, what California bicycle accident lawyers have long known has been confirmed. Bicycle accidents often leave victims with severe injuries that may lead to long term disabilities or even death. Across the country, injuries caused due to bicycle wrecks are becoming more serious.
In a study by Reuters that spans the decade between 1996 and 2006, there was a sharp rise in the necessity of hospitalization due to severe bicycle accidents. Abdominal and chest injuries rose the most, with a 15% increase in the number of injuries to the chest. This study included 329 personal injuries caused by bicycles in people who were treated at Denver Health Medical Center’s Rocky Mountain Regional Trauma Center. According to the study, documentation by the emergency room of those who had worn helmets had improved, but there were still numerous riders who did not wear helmets even though more awareness programs had been put into place. Significant head injuries were observed in about 1/3 of the patients, according to the research.
There has been a sharp increase in the rise of bicyclists in the country, largely due to the rise in gas prices in America and the state of the economy. For people who are into the “green” movement, riding bicycles has always been important. Many have also enjoyed the sport as a way to get fit. These factors combined have contributed to an increase in the number of people who ride bicycles on the roads, and researchers are hopeful that transportation authorities will use the statistics of injuries to increase awareness for the need of better infrastructure for bicyclists.
Bicycling has been encouraged by authorities because of its clean quotient and help in decreasing the use of oil products. However, the need in building safer infrastructure for those who ride bicycles has not been efficiently addressed. Educating bicyclists and motorists about sharing the roads and safety has not been focused upon as much as need be.
California bicycle accident lawyers are also concerned about the low use of helmets among bicycle riders, and feel that educating cyclists needs much more effort and funding so that individuals realize the challenges they may face. People who drive automobiles must also make the roads less hazardous for bicyclists so that they may ride safely. Perhaps now authorities and advocates for safety will become more aware of the economic and human costs of these types of injuries so that accidents can be prevented.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of bicycle accidents. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.