Compensation for Bicycle Accidents and Injuries
A bike can be a fun form of recreation for your child and their friends, not to mention an excellent form of physical exercise. Bikes provide transportation for a trip to the store or local park, or just for exploring neighborhood streets and trails. As parents, it is important to make sure your child has the skills needed to ride their bike safely and responsibly.
How A Helmet Can Protect Your Child In A Bicycle Accident
According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA), only 21 states currently have bicycle helmet laws requiring bicyclists to wear helmets when riding, while many municipalities have their own rules about helmet use for children under the age of 16. While South Carolina does not have any state laws requiring helmet use, riders are still encouraged to use one to increase their own safety.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that while more than 500,000 people suffer serious injuries each year as a result of bike accidents, many of these injuries could have been avoided if the rider had been wearing a helmet. Children in particular are at risk for suffering severe, potentially disabling, and even life threatening head injuries as the result of bicycle accidents — and their rate of injury is more than twice that of adults.
Common types of head injuries suffered in bicycle accidents include:
- Facial injuries, including broken bones and severe lacerations
- Dental injuries, resulting in missing and damaged teeth
- Skull fractures, bruises, and contusions
- Concussions and brain trauma, such as traumatic brain injury
For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222
Safety Tips That Can Protect Your Child While Biking
The Children’s Trust of South Carolina states that bicycle helmets are the single most effective way to protect your child in the event of an accident, and that parents should insist their child wear one every time they are on their bikes. In addition to helmet use, you can help protect your child by teaching them the following safety tips:
- Always ride on the right side of the road, with traffic, and stay as far to the right as possible
- Obey all traffic signals, and always come to a complete stop at stop signs or red lights
- Use hand signals to indicate when making a turn to other drivers
- Look left, right, then left again before crossing any roads or intersections
Additional steps parents can take to ensure their child’s safety on a bike include supervising all children until they have learned the above safety rules, restricting children under the age of ten to riding off-road, and restricting children from riding after dark, in fog, or in adverse weather conditions.
Find Help in Obtaining Compensation for a Bicycle Accident
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a bicycle accident, contact Anastopoulo Law Firm. Our experienced South Carolina bike accident attorneys understand the serious injuries you are likely facing and can advise you on how you can hold responsible parties accountable for the damages they have caused.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
