Common Injuries From Bicycle Accidents in Findlay

Getting out on your bike is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, get some exercise, and help protect the environment as you travel from place to place. However, if a motorist’s negligence injures you in a bike accident, you can suffer severe injuries, as well as damages, which have the potential to alter the course of your life.

Obtaining fair compensation that covers your physical, financial, and emotional losses is important to your health and future, so consult with an experienced attorney early in the process. Our team at Charles E. Boyk Law Offices understands how to handle legal claims for common injuries from bicycle accidents in Findlay. We are ready to assess your rights and options at no cost to you, so call us today.

What Are Some Common Bike Accident Injuries?

When you are on your bike, you have only your helmet to help protect you from the impact of a traffic collision, which leaves you vulnerable to serious injuries. While injuries can vary, certain types are commonly associated with bike crashes in Findlay.

Road Rash

In the course of a bike accident, it is not uncommon to be dragged along the road. Road rash, also known as the rug burn of asphalt, refers to the unique cuts, scrapes, and abrasions that occur when sliding across a road surface. Road rash typically covers a large surface area on the skin and is prone to serious infection and permanent scarring.

Broken Bones

As cyclists fall from their bikes, they often reach their arms out toward the ground to brace themselves. This can result in broken wrists, arms, and sometimes legs. Even a minor fracture is painful and takes weeks to heal. A complex fracture can require multiple surgeries and have long-lasting consequences. When a broken bone does not heal correctly or develops complications, the injured party can experience chronic pain and a significant reduction in their range of motion.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Even a relatively mild spinal cord injury can be extremely painful and seriously limit your range of motion. However, when a spinal cord injury is more serious, such as when the spinal cord is crushed or severed, it can cause permanent partial or complete paralysis. With such a severe injury, you can expect to require long-term healthcare, as well as assistance with daily activities.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Helmets offer significant protection, but they cannot prevent all head injuries, and adult cyclists in the state are not required to wear them. The brain is primarily injured by colliding with the skull and not by penetration from outside forces. This means even when wearing a helmet, you can still suffer a TBI.

TBIs may have life-altering consequences, including death. Many people who suffer TBIs experience a shift in their sense of self, losing who they previously were. The emotional component of a TBI is often as profound as the physical and financial losses.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or organ damage, can be life-threatening. As these injuries are not always obvious, they can go unattended until they show symptoms and have become even more severe. The shock and adrenaline that you experience as a result of a bike accident can hide a good deal of pain, as well as other physical symptoms that will otherwise indicate an internal injury.

If you are involved in a bike accident—even if you do not think you are seriously injured—it is essential to seek immediate medical attention. Since early diagnosis significantly improves outcomes, seeking medical advice as soon as possible is always a sensible approach.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, may not be symptomatic immediately. It can take a few hours or even a few days for neck pain to become noticeable. A soft tissue injury can be challenging to treat; while some heal with proper treatment and care, others can lead to chronic conditions that interfere with active lifestyles.

Limb Loss or Injuries That Require Amputation

Being hit by a motor vehicle when you are on your bike can lead to outright limb loss or to a severe injury that requires amputation, causing considerable physical limitations, as well as lifelong pain. This can result in devastating emotional consequences that feel very difficult to deal with.

Strengthening Your Bike Accident Case

If a Findlay motorist’s traffic violation or other negligence leaves you with one or more of these typical bike accident injuries, as well as damages, you have the right to start a claim. There are several key steps you should take.

Seek a Medical Examination Immediately

Even if you feel well, consult a medical professional without delay. Many accident-related injuries, such as internal bleeding, are not immediately obvious. Taking action quickly not only helps document your injuries and support your accident claim, but it also ensures you get the necessary treatment, medication, and care to recover.

After going to the emergency room or calling paramedics, follow your medical team’s advice and instructions carefully. If you do not get a prescription filled or fail to attend post-accident checkups, it reflects poorly to the insurance company.

Speak to a Reputable Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Reach out to a trusted bicycle accident attorney, ideally before speaking to your insurance company. Your attorney from our firm can speak with the insurer on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your healing. Your lawyer will do the necessary tasks and avoid the common tactics insurance companies use to delay or block your claim.

Remember Time Limitations

Every state has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. In this state, you only have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

After a bike accident, you have plenty to deal with, but remember this time limit. It can mean the difference between receiving maximum compensation or none at all. While you focus on seeking the healthcare, therapy, and rehabilitation you need, allow your compassionate attorney to handle your claim.

Call an Experienced Lawyer in Findlay Today About Typical Bike Crash Injuries

The losses associated with common injuries from bicycle accidents in Findlay can be significant. Obtaining the compensation to which you are entitled for the injuries and damages you sustained offers the best opportunity for you to recover as fully as possible. Our respected attorneys at the Charles E. Boyk Law Offices can fiercely advocate for a settlement that supports you and your brightest future. We are on your side and here to help, so please do not hesitate to give us a call.