California’s variety of great places to bike makes our state a cycling paradise. Riders can tour the coastline, climb a mountain or steep city street, or just take the kids for a peddle around the neighborhood.
Unfortunately, California is also known for some insane traffic levels. Bicyclists can be forced into close proximity with cars, SUVS, and big trucks. Cyclists have the same right to the lane as any motorist, and in some places, they also have bike lanes. But the protection offered only works when drivers know and observe traffic codes.
When drivers get careless, bicyclists become vulnerable targets. Riders can find themselves knocked from their bikes to suffer serious injuries including head trauma. After a cycling head injury, riders will wonder how they’ll manage their long-term care and who will pay for it.
Reach Out to a California Bicycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Head Injury Consultation
Getting the most out of your bicycle accident head injury claim starts with being informed about every benefit available. Your head injuries may continue to affect your life much longer than the hours you spend in an emergency room. Don’t let an at-fault driver’s insurance provider escape responsibility for paying for a full recovery for however long that takes.
Schedule a no-risk, free consultation with a real California traumatic injury lawyer to learn what your head injuries should be worth. Contact Maison Law of California for this confidential case evaluation that comes with no obligation for you or your family. It’s the easiest way to find out how to get the most out of your bicycle accident facial injury claim.
California Bicycle Accident Head Injury Dangers
A bicycle accident head injury is a term that applies to many different types of injuries victims may suffer. A head injury can involve damage to the skull, the brain, the scalp, and the blood vessels in the head.
Cyclists can suffer these wounds after a driver veers over into their lane. A reckless motorist may also make a turn in front of riders or accidentally ram them from behind. California bicycle accidents also occur when people in parked cars swing their doors open without looking to see riders traveling down the right side of the lane. These collisions are known as “dooring” accidents.
Cyclists commonly suffer multiple impacts in an accident that all may damage the head. They can hit their heads on the car itself. They’ll then have to endure a collision with the pavement. It’s also possible they may be hit again by the car involved or other vehicles.
These injuries are considered traumatic and victims could need extensive hospital care, surgery and rehabilitation. Finding support to pay for long-term care is a key element in any bicycle accident injury settlement. A skilled California bicycle accident lawyer works to maximize the compensation cyclists receive so they can rebuild their lives and return to their bikes.
Types of Bicycle Accident Head Injuries
Emergency room doctors treat many different types of head wounds after bicycle crashes. Any damage to the skull can endanger the brain. Any damage suffered to the blood vessels that supply the brain could also result in serious complications.
These are a few of the most common head injuries possible in California cycling accidents:
- Skull Fracture – This is a break in the bones that form the skull (cranial bones). Pieces of the skull often wind up in the brain. The jaw, eye sockets, and other facial bones are considered part of the skull.
- Blood Clots – Clots can form between the brain and the skull or result when the brain is bruised. Blood flow to the brain is cut off to cause strokes.
- Concussions – A concussion is a mild form of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). They occur in the blunt force trauma of the brain bumping into the skull. A loss of brain function is common but usually temporary.
- Skin and Scalp Damage – A rough landing on pavement is often enough to tear the skin from the head and scalp. Deep skin damage is enough to cause severe infections and permanent disfigurement. Hair does not always grow back after a severe laceration.
What to Do After a California Bicycle Crash Caused by a Motorist
After a serious bicycle accident, California head injury victims will be asking for support for several factors in their recoveries. They’ll file an injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer and seek compensation for all current medical bills and those expected to arrive in the future. Victims should also seek lifelong support if they face a permanent disfigurement or disability.
Bicycle collision victims will ask for reimbursement for the money they’ve lost while missing work. They should also seek economic support for the pain they endure and the emotional trauma they’ve suffered and will continue to suffer.
Car insurance companies don’t automatically provide this support, even though it’s absolutely fair for what victims are put through. Cyclists and their bicycle accident attorneys must often provide hard evidence of the driver’s fault.
To secure the strongest proof of what happened, try to secure this evidence from the scene:
- Once you are safe, call 911. Give a full report to dispatchers and police.
- If you are strong enough or someone with you can help, get photos of the scene. Document your bike damage, car damage, street signs, and lane markings. Take photos of any injuries that are visible and show your helmet if you were wearing one.
- Get contact information from witnesses.
- Get checked out by EMS crews and your own doctor. Follow their recommendations.
- Keep any damaged clothing and personal items, including your bike. Don’t throw evidence out.
Can I Earn Compensation if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet in a California Bicycle Accident?
Cyclists 18 years old and older aren’t required to wear a bicycle helmet in California. Adults don’t have to put on a helmet but doing so can offer strong protection from head and brain injuries.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports that somewhere around three-fourths of all bicycle collisions involve a head injury. They also find that bicycle helmets are around 88% effective in lessening the severity of head injuries.
Cyclists who are hit by a driver and don’t have a helmet on may worry they won’t be able to ask for help paying for their recoveries. That’s not true. Victims can still earn a percentage of compensation or full support after an accident.
A jury could decide that the victim’s injuries would have been reduced with helmet use. They might decide to give a rider a reduced award but that money would still go a long way towards paying hospital bills.
Contact a California Bicycle Accident Head Injury Lawyer
Contact the California bicycle accident lawyers at Maison Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. It’s a no-risk way to find out what your bicycle accident injury is worth and what you should be holding an insurance company to. Don’t depend on an insurance adjuster to inform you of every benefit available to you and your family.
Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, fights to make sure bicycle accident victims are never left to face the consequences of a careless driver’s mistake alone. Cyclists must receive full support from the moment an injury occurs until the day victims can return to their bikes and the rides they love.
