Can Bicycling Cause Serious Injuries in Palm Beach?

While bicycling can be a fun and fit way to get from A to B, it’s arguably much less safe than traveling by car. Automobiles are equipped with multiple safety features in case of an accident to protect the driver. Bikers, however, have only a helmet and the clothes on their back for protection.

To add insult to injury, Florida bicycle accidents are rarely the cyclist’s fault-but they are the ones who may suffer the worst injuries, possibly for the rest of their lives.

The most common types of injuries that bicyclists will suffer in Palm Beach bike accidents include:

• Head injuries. Over 70% of all bike accidents result in head trauma. Even if a cyclist is wearing a helmet, the impact with the ground can cause anything from temporary problems like concussion, amnesia or headaches to life-altering traumatic brain injury, mental impairment or permanent loss of motility.
• Paralysis. Even if the head injuries don’t cause paralysis, landing on the neck or back after a bicycle accident may still result in paraplegia or quadriplegia if there is damage to the spinal cord.
• Loss of limbs. If a cyclist is wedged between objects or run over by a car, the damage to his extremities may force amputation. Legs are the most common, but cyclists have also lost hands, fingers and arms as a result of crushing and blood loss.
• Internal injuries. Cyclists may walk away from a “simple” accident only to discover days later that the impact has caused damage on the inside, including organ damage or internal bleeding.
• Disfigurement. Skin making contact with pavement at high speeds often causes road rash, abrasions, and broken bones. Since a cyclist’s face is rarely protected by his helmet, accidents can result in a broken nose, lost teeth or facial scarring.
• Death. Hit-and-run accidents involving cyclists are far too common. Many drivers believe they can get away with hitting a cyclist because they’re not in a car, and therefore “don’t count” on the road.

As experienced Palm Beach personal injury attorneys, we have seen far too little respect paid to cyclists on the road. It’s not right that cyclists should suffer painful injuries and endure costly medical treatments as a result of someone else’s mistakes.
If you or someone you love is suffering after a Palm Beach bicycle accident, we can get you compensation for your injuries. Call Fetterman & Associates today.