More than 100 million Americans enjoy riding bicycles according to recent surveys, and many of them make it a normal part of their routines. It’s a wonderful pastime and a fantastic form of exercise. For more than 800,000 people, it’s also a primary mode of transportation. Biking is certainly one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel because it produces no harmful emissions. Building bicycles also requires far fewer raw materials than manufacturing passenger vehicles and generates a great deal less pollution with quite a bit less material from production ultimately making its way into landfills.
Having said all of that, riding a bicycle can also be dangerous. Bicyclists have the same rights as passenger vehicle drivers on the roads, but those drivers don’t seem to give bikes the respect they deserve. People in cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs don’t always pay as much attention as they should, either, which often leaves those on bicycles far more vulnerable. With that being the case, injuries from a bicycle accident are far too common at this point, and they can be particularly serious.
Common Injuries From Bicycle Accidents
Several types of bicycle accidents can take place. In some instances, riders crash because of rough roads and other obstacles. Sometimes, bicyclists are involved in accidents with pedestrians or other riders. In most cases, though, they’re injured in collisions with passenger vehicles, and those tend to be the ones that cause the most significant injuries. Read on to learn more about some of the most common injuries from bicycle accidents.
Road Rash
One of the most common but potentially least dangerous injuries from bicycle crashes isRoad Rash to Fractures: Common Injuries from Bike Accidents and How to Prevent Them. This is the condition that arises when skin comes into contact with asphalt, and it consists of extensive scrapes and scratches. It can be quite uncomfortable and often leads to redness and swelling.
Many road rash victims ultimately experience infections as well. Our skin is our most effective barrier against outside forces. To state matters bluntly, dirt and debris get embedded in the skin when a person slides along the asphalt roughly enough to cause road rash. At the same time, the damage it causes leaves the skin more vulnerable to bacterial invasions. All that makes infections a serious risk, and their repercussions can be dangerous.
Furthermore, road rash can lead to noticeable scarring. Though surface scrapes generally heal, deeper cuts may leave behind clearly visible disfiguration. Eliminating the scarring, or at least reducing it, may require medical intervention, such as chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser treatments, or cosmetic surgery.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are also common consequences of bicycle accidents. Bones in the arms and legs tend to receive the brunt of the impact in many cases, but they’re certainly not the only possibilities. Bicyclists often experience broken vertebrae, pelvic bones, clavicles, and ribs. The bones of the hands, wrists, feet, and ankles are vulnerable as well because they’re typically unprotected. Skull fractures are also prevalent.
Where the break is and its severity are among the factors that determine how quickly and completely it will heal. Skull fractures and broken ribs may have potentially life-threatening effects. Skull fractures may lead to bleeding in or near the brain along with an array of additional complications. Broken ribs can cause breathing difficulties that may progress into pneumonia, and they may puncture the lungs or cause other internal damage. Fractured vertebrae can bring about spinal cord damage and paralysis to name a few possible after-effects.
Dental Injuries
A significant portion of bicycle accident victims also experience dental injuries. Those include chipped, broken, and dislodged teeth along with other possibilities. Fractured jaws and additional maxillofacial injuries are likewise common. Resolving those issues can require extensive dental work and even invasive surgeries. In situations where the teeth can’t be repaired, victims may ultimately need dental implants or dentures.
Organ Damage
Organ damage is also a common result of bicycle accidents. As mentioned, this can stem from broken bones. In many cases, though, it’s the result of blunt force trauma. In either case, punctured lungs are only one potential problem. Kidney and liver damage, spleen lacerations, myocardial contusions, and ventricular ruptures may also occur. Any of those injuries can have lifelong implications.
Of course, the brain is vulnerable as well. Concussions, hematomas, and traumatic brain injuries often occur in bicycle crashes. Though people often recover from the former two types of injuries, the latter is irreversible. People who experience traumatic brain injuries can sometimes overcome them and eventually return to their normal lives, but most experience lasting repercussions.
Mental and Emotional Injuries
One issue that many people overlook or dismiss is the potential emotional and mental injury a bicycle accident can cause. People who once loved cycling may be afraid to even get on a bicycle after a serious accident, especially one that involves a motor vehicle. Nightmares and flashbacks may lead to insomnia, and accidents commonly cause anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Aside from the accidents themselves, recovering from the resulting injuries, both physically and financially, can lead to depression, isolation, and many other mental and emotional issues.
Preventing Bicycle Accidents
If you ride a bicycle, whether for recreation, exercise, transportation, or a combination of those purposes, staying safe is essential. You can’t control other people on the roads, but you can protect yourself against many of the injuries that occur in bicycle accidents. For one, always wear a helmet and protective eyewear. It’s best to cover as much of your skin as possible while riding as well, which means wearing long pants, long sleeves, socks, sturdy shoes, and gloves. Consider covering your face with a balaclava or gator as well. Knee and elbow pads are also a must.
When riding at night, reflectors and LEDs mounted on your bike and helmet will make you more visible. Be sure to wear clothing with reflective strips too. Beyond those measures, always be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. You can’t count on other people to watch out for you, so take extra care to watch for them. You may not be able to prevent all accidents or resulting injuries, but it’s certainly possible to reduce your risks and potentially lessen the severity of the injuries you sustain if an accident does happen.
