It’s estimated that up to 74% of all bicycle fatalities involve some type of head injury. Those incidents that are not fatal often cause serious TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) that change the victim’s life forever.
Even if a Connecticut bicyclist wears a helmet that fits properly, they may experience a TBI in an accident. While Connecticut law requires all children under the age of 12 to wear a helmet, many believe this law is not strict enough. After all, several other states have mandatory helmet laws or include people who are under the age of 18.
When someone wears a helmet while bicycling, it can reduce the likelihood of a serious brain injury by around 40%. Along with wearing a helmet while riding, it is also recommended that bicyclists avoid riding at night or in urban areas where there is a lot of traffic, as these factors increase the likelihood of an accident.
If you experience a TBI after a bicycle accident caused by a negligent or reckless driver or another party, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries and damages. It is recommended that you speak with a Connecticut TBI lawyer to understand your rights and if this is a possibility for your situation.
Understanding What Causes TBIs
If a motor vehicle collides with a bicycle, the force is often so great that the rider is sent flying through the air, crashing into the sidewalk or street below. They may hit another vehicle or some other object nearby.
Usually, TBIs involve some type of blow to the head. However, what many people don’t realize is that TBIs can occur even if there is no blow to the head. The sheer force of a vehicle hitting a bicycle rider or their bicycle, can cause their brain to strike the interior portion of the skull. If this happens, the brain can be bruised and damaged.
Helmets may help prevent injuries caused by a collision with the pavement, but it doesn’t mean that the rider won’t experience a serious brain injury. Unfortunately, this is a hard truth to swallow for many riders.
Common Head Injuries That Occur in Bicycle Accidents
You may experience one of several different types of head injuries when involved in a bicycle accident. Some of the most common injuries that are seen include:
Concussions
A concussion is considered a mild TBI. While this is true, it does not mean it will not have serious consequences.
The symptoms of a concussion can last for several months. You may also experience something called “post-concussion syndrome.” In these situations, you may undergo ongoing suffering and other struggles due to the injury.
Skull Fracture
Your skull may be fractured if your head collides with the pavement or another object. In some cases, a fracture can cause cracks or depressions in the skull.
Hematoma
It’s estimated that around 40% of people who experience head trauma will develop some type of intracranial hematoma. It’s a blood clotting or pooling that occurs on or inside the brain. This condition can be life-threatening.
Maxillofacial Trauma
Head injuries from bicycle accidents may include a fracture to the victim’s face. This includes the jaw, eye sockets, nose, forehead, and cheekbones.
Symptoms of an Accident-Caused TBI
A TBI can have a huge impact on someone’s life. It can also cause seemingly unrelated issues that may be permanent for the victim.
Some of the most common symptoms seen with TBIs include:
- Emotional instability
- Cognitive issues that involve your memory and concentration
- Loss of control of the bowel and bladder
- Comprehension and speech challenges
- Impaired depth perception, blurred vision, and double vision
- Sensory issues related to coordination, posture, temperature variations, and touch
Potential Damages You Can Recover After a Bicycle Accident Caused TBI in Florida
The severity of your TBI will determine if you need medical and personal care for the rest of your life. Often, a TBI injury can be emotionally and financially devastating for the victim and their family. Some incidents even result in death.
When you hire a Florida bike accident lawyer from Jonathan Perkins Injury Lawyers, you have someone on your side, fighting for your right to recover the maximum amount of compensation possible from the liable party.
While each case is unique and the damages you receive can vary, some of the most common that are awarded include:
- Past medical costs and any medical costs that will likely be incurred because of the TBI in the future
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disfigurement
- Lost earnings and earnings you will likely lose in the future due to the TBI
- Permanent disability
- Burial or funeral costs if the injury results in a wrongful death claim
- Loss of a normal life
You Have the Right to Cycle Safety in Connecticut
It’s important to note that in Connecticut, the law gives the same rights to the roads it gives to motorists. Unfortunately, not all motorists respect these rights. In other situations, a driver may not see a bicyclist at all or until it is too late, and an accident can’t be prevented.
In some cases of bicycle accidents, the cause is poor road conditions. Gravel, repair materials, sinkholes, and potholes can all cause or contribute to bike accidents.
What Is the Average Settlement for Bicycle Accident-Caused Brain Injuries?
It’s difficult to provide a number or range when it comes to receiving a settlement for a brain injury. The settlement you receive will vary greatly from one person to another. The extent of the injury and if it causes permanent damage or disability are huge factors that must be considered.
While this is true, for a mild TBI, you can expect a settlement that is around $85,000. For moderate TBIs, compensation amounts are often near $900,000. More severe TBIs that involve permanent disabilities can result in settlements of $3 million or more.
How a Connecticut Brain Injury Attorney Can Help with Your Lawsuit
When you call our expert team of brain injury attorneys, you will find we can provide you with the exceptional representation you need. We understand the potential impact of head trauma and want to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible.
If you are in this situation, our team can help. When you hire us, our first step will be to prove liability for the accident and injury. Some of the factors that must be proven include the following:
Duty
This refers to a person’s specific requirement to follow the law and avoid causing harm to someone else. We will show the person who struck you had a duty to act carefully and prevent harm.
Breach of Duty
The evidence we gather will be used to show the person who hit you breached the duty they had to ensure you were not harmed. This can be time-consuming, but our legal team has experience proving a breach of duty occurred.
Causation
This refers to the relationship between the effect and cause of the accident and head injury. Sometimes, the other party, their insurance provider, or an attorney may try to place negligence on the victim; however, we will work to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Damages
We will prove that you suffered damages, a brain injury, and related costs due to the at-fault party’s breach of duty of care. This is also when we will assign a value to your case and request compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company.
FAQs About Connecticut Bicycle Accidents
While many questions related to TBIs and bicycle accidents in Connecticut were answered above, you may have others. Our law firm strives to answer all our clients’ questions to the best of our ability. Some of the bicycle-related accident questions we get regularly are answered here.
What happens if you suffer permanent brain damage after being struck while riding a bike?
You can recover compensation if you experience an injury because of another person’s or party’s negligence and experience permanent brain damage. This compensation will be to cover your medical treatment costs, rehabilitation needed because of the injury, and a loss of quality of life.
You can also recover compensation for potential, future damages and those that you have experienced up to the time you file a personal injury claim.
What if you were not wearing a helmet when you were struck and experienced a brain injury?
It is required that anyone under the age of 12 wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. If a bicycle is rented from a business or service provider, helmets must be provided to all age 16 and under riders. However, not wearing a helmet (even when required) does not mean you can’t recover any compensation if someone strikes you.
The law will consider what party is at fault and if the driver in the situation acted negligently. If they did, the driver must cover the cost of your injuries, even in situations where no helmet was worn.
Even though this is the case, you will find that insurance companies and defense attorneys will try to put the blame for the accident on the bicyclist (especially if they were not wearing a helmet). Hiring an attorney from our law firm ensures that you have someone to argue your side of the case and who will work to secure compensation for your injuries.
Is there a time limit regarding how long you have to file a bicycle accident claim?
In the state of Connecticut, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years. However, exceptions to this rule may make the amount of time you have to file shorter or longer. It is smart to discuss this with a personal injury lawyer, who can provide more insight and information into how long you have to file a claim.
After you file a lawsuit against the at-fault party, there is no limit regarding how long the case can take to resolve. This is particularly important if you have experienced a TBI that has lasting effects on your life. In these situations, it’s important to allow the symptoms and issues to stabilize, which will help your attorney determine the true value of your case.
Don’t Wait to Contact Us for Help with Your Bicycle Accident Case
If you need assistance getting the compensation you deserve after a bicycle accident, contact our legal team for help. We can provide you with the quality legal services you want, need, and deserve.
Read More
Understanding Moped and Scooter Laws in Connecticut
How Much Compensation Are You Entitled to After a Traumatic Brain Injury?