Does Wearing a Bicycle Helmet Prevent Head Injuries?

wear bicycle helmet

Written by Jeremy D. Earle, JD

May 9, 2023

Best COlorado Bicycle Accident Attorneys

For many bikers, both adults and children, wearing a helmet contributes to their safety while riding. Helmet wearing significantly reduces the chance of suffering a concussion in the case of an accident, which may range from collisions with a car to sudden tumbles from the bicycle. Regrettably, depending entirely on helmet wear to guard against harm might provide motorcyclists with a false feeling of security. While wearing a helmet reduces the likelihood of suffering a brain injury, it does not remove the danger. Despite wearing a helmet, cyclists may sustain significant head injuries.

Through the Numbers: Statistics on Bicycle Accidents Resulting in Head Injuries Wearing a helmet is a well-known safety precaution, but does it work? According to statistics, wearing a helmet is

quite beneficial. For instance, wearing a helmet reduces the chance of sustaining a catastrophic head injury by half. When bikers wear a helmet, their risk of suffering a catastrophic head injury is cut in half, even if they receive a head injury in an accident.

Reduces the chance of facial fractures. Numerous riders have facial bone injuries in bicycle accidents. Fractures of the facial bones are very painful and may result in long-term deformity. Reduces the chance of mortality as a result of head trauma. When bikers experience head injuries, those who wear helmets are less likely to die due to their injuries than those who do not.

Helps to mitigate the severity of head traumas. Wearing a helmet may significantly reduce the severity of a head injury by up to 88%. Reduced severity may result in a more rapid recovery and the chance to resume the quality of life that existed before the accident, rather than living with the permanent consequences of a single injury.

By and large, the advantages of helmet usage corroborate society’s long-held view that helmet use results in a considerable reduction in injuries. Unfortunately, wearing a helmet does not completely prevent the danger of harm; motorcyclists may get head injuries, brain traumas, and facial fractures even when wearing a helmet. Additionally, riders should remember that wearing a helmet should not be used as an excuse to engage in risky activity when riding. Rather than that, motorcyclists should always wear helmets and engage in other important safety practices while on the road.

The Typical Consequences of a Bicycle Accident Trauma to the Head

Suffering a head injury often entails dealing with severe daily repercussions. Head injuries may vary from very minor, with temporary symptoms, to severe, with lifetime effects. Head injuries that look moderate at first may develop into more severe symptoms over time. Cyclists who experience head injuries on the road should seek medical assistance immediately to determine the degree of their injury.

Minor Head Injury Symptoms

Following an accident, bikers may have symptoms related to mild brain injuries, including the

following:

Headaches. Many bikers get headaches after a head injury in an accident. Headaches may be moderate to severe in intensity. Even mild head injuries may cause headaches; nevertheless, wounded persons should seek medical assistance immediately when a headache worsens rather than improves.

Vomiting and nausea. Nausea and vomiting are common in the immediate aftermath of a head injury. In the early aftermath of an accident, injured persons may feel disturbed or uninterested in eating. However, nausea that intensifies quickly suggests the need for prompt medical intervention.

Tiredness or sleepiness. Following a brain injury, patients should follow their physicians’ advice for sleep and rest; nonetheless, patients may need more sleep or feel more exhausted than normal for some time following the event. Additionally, injured persons may have increased fatigue due to coping with other symptoms of a brain injury.

Sleep aids in the body’s healing process and aids in the recovery of suffering. • Sleep-related difficulties Certain persons who have experienced a concussion may sleep substantially more than they normally do. Others, on the other hand, may struggle to sleep at all after an accident.

Numerous persons who have had head traumas suffer from sleeplessness as a result of their injuries.

Distorted vision. Numerous persons who have had a head injury have impaired vision or difficulties focusing on objects. They may have difficulty with objects that are both near and far away.

Ear ringing. While ringing in the ears is irritating, it does not cause damage to patients. It often diminishes as a result of a head injury healing.

Dizziness. In addition to nausea, many cyclists who sustain head injuries feel dizziness or lack of balance. They may have difficulty walking regularly across a room or need more time to relax once on their feet. Cycling may be difficult or impossible until all symptoms associated with a head injury disappear entirely.

Emotional ups and downs. Cycling enthusiasts may experience mood fluctuations after a head injury. They may experience depression or heightened anxiety. Anxiety may be generic or localized to events surrounding the accident. Cyclists may also have intense emotional responses or difficulty regulating their emotions after a head injury.

Inability to concentrate. Even those who ordinarily have no difficulty focusing may find it difficult to concentrate on a single subject after a traumatic brain injury. They may struggle to maintain attention for extended periods or to induce a state of focus that allows them to concentrate on critical activities.

Issues with memory. Memory impairments may be modest after a brain injury, such as recalling basic activities or recalling names. Memory issues might also make it difficult for sufferers to execute ordinary jobs or to recall their daily routines.

Minor brain injuries may present with symptoms for a few days, a few weeks, or many months after an event. Recovery is contingent upon the severity of the injury and the victim’s capacity to bounce back and heal.

Brain Injury Suffering from Severe Trauma

While wearing a helmet reduces the likelihood of suffering a serious traumatic brain injury, it does not eliminate it. Victims of serious brain injuries may struggle to manage persistent symptoms that impair their quality of life significantly. Symptoms of traumatic brain damage may be life-altering in certain situations.

Consciousness loss, especially long-term consciousness loss. Individuals suffering from major brain injuries may have lengthy spells of unconsciousness after their accident.

Seizures and convulsions. Severe head traumas might leave victims with either short-term, acute convulsions or long-term seizure issues.

Severe perplexity. Mild disorientation may result from minor brain damage. On the other side, severe brain damage might result in significant perplexity. Sufferers may have difficulty doing routine chores or managing routine activities. They may be unable to recall familiar persons or events shortly after an injury.

Speech that is slurred. Sufferers with severe brain damage may struggle to generate regular speech. Slurred speech, particularly if a doctor has previously identified mild brain damage, should prompt patients to seek an additional assessment.

Unusual changes in behavior. Many people who have had severe brain injuries exhibit indicators of hostility or combativeness. They may struggle to control their emotions or become unmanageable. Additionally, they may exhibit indicators of significant behavioral problems.

Limb weakness or numbness. Occasionally, symptoms throughout the rest of the body may suggest a brain injury rather than limb damage. Sufferers may have difficulty with coordination or may lack typical arm and leg strength.

On-Road Bicycle Safety: Don’t Rely on the Helmet Alone

They were wearing safety gear when driving gives an additional layer of protection. No cyclist should ride their bicycle without the proper safety equipment, which includes a bicycle helmet. However, being safe does not require you to wear a helmet. Numerous other techniques may also help increase the safety of bicycles on the road by lowering the risk of head injury.

Take caution while choosing your routes. Avoid congested routes or those where riding would cause a disturbance to general traffic patterns wherever feasible. If cycling on crowded roads is necessary, try to avoid the busiest periods of the day.

Obey traffic laws. As with motorized vehicles, bicyclists are responsible for adhering to traffic laws. Keep on the right side of the road; obey all traffic signs, lights, and signals; and yield to pedestrians. By adhering to the road regulations, you can ensure the safety of yourself and others around you.

Avoid taking excessive risks. • Pay attention to the cars in your immediate vicinity. All drivers

would pay complete attention to all other road users in an ideal world, including bicycles. Unfortunately, many drivers miss bicycles because they do not conform to the visual pattern expected by the majority of automobiles. As a cyclist, you are responsible for watching other motorists. Be on the lookout for improper road conduct or any indication that cars may pose a hazard to you as a biker.

When a motorist does not seem to notice you or appears to be ready to make a dangerous decision, slow down or get out of the path. This option may cause your ride to slow down or interfere with your speed, but it will also help keep you safe.

Suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury as a result of a Bicycle Accident

Whether slight or serious, head injuries may make it difficult for patients to function in daily life. Understanding how to deal with traumatic brain injury will help you manage your injuries and go on with your life.

Utilize applications and technologies. For many survivors of traumatic brain injury, basic skills such as memorizing shortlists or doing routine chores may become progressively challenging. Numerous applications and other forms of technology, on the other hand, may assist in simplifying routine duties. Making lists on a notes app or setting alarms to remind wounded folks of frequent duties might simplify them to do their typical daily tasks.

Take notes. Not only does writing things down make them easier to recall, but it also guarantees that information is readily available when a victim needs it. Additionally, writing down anything from reminders to names reduces irritation and fosters independence.

Ascertain that assistance is available. Individuals who have sustained severe brain injuries may need monitoring to prevent self- or other harm. Immediately after any brain damage, having assistance on hand may help patients manage frequent symptoms and allow for proper rest.

Adhere to medical guidance. Recovery from a traumatic brain injury takes time. Many patients grow irritated and seek to resume regular activities before their physicians prescribe them. However, victims should adhere to medical recommendations about when to return to work or school, manage routine activities, and obtain enough rest.

Memory issues may complicate even routine everyday chores, such as selecting the correct pots and pans, making a beloved meal, or getting the children ready for school.

Make use of labels. Labeling cabinets, drawers, and even closets may assist in locating vital objects and alleviate aggravation. Because traumatic brain injury might impair one’s ability to concentrate and complete routine chores, providing more time for each activity may be beneficial. It is beneficial to provide additional time for even the most routine activities, particularly soon after a traumatic brain injury. Allow plenty of time for relaxation as well.

Reducing stress. Numerous symptoms linked with a traumatic brain injury might be exacerbated by stress. Reduced stress throughout the healing phase may help alleviate the intensity of those symptoms and make many of the challenges that wounded persons face simpler to manage.

Have You Suffered a Concussion in a Bicycle Accident?

If you or a loved one had a brain injury in a bicycle accident, you might need legal assistance to address your concerns and pursue compensation for the full extent of your damage. Call or email the Warrior Bicycle Accident Lawyers now at 719-300-1100. We’ll begin with a free consultation to determine your accident’s cause, the extent of your brain damage, and your

eligibility to pursue compensation. We’ve assisted our clients in obtaining the most compensation possible for their injuries in many instances, and we’re prepared to use that extensive knowledge in your accident case.

Warrior Car Accident Lawyers

1902 W. Colorado Ave., Suite 100

Colorado Springs, CO 80904

719-300-1100

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