Riding a bicycle may result in cost savings and health improvement, but it could also be hazardous. Anyone who rides their bike near traffic has to worry about a potential collision. Parents might worry about young people who lack bike riding experience, which is understandable. However, adults also find themselves involved in bicycle accidents on Connecticut roads. Statistics even reveal that adults often outnumber children in certain incidents.
Adults and bicycle accidents
Someone who falls off a bike could suffer a broken arm or another serious injury. Among the most worrisome injuries would be head trauma. Wearing a helmet could help, but there are limits. Anyone knocked off a bike hard enough may land so hard that the helmet cracks, and a severe injury results.
Surprisingly, more adults suffer from bike accident-related head trauma than children. Thankfully, recorded incidents of bike accident-inflicted head injuries declined between 2009 and 2018. The decline was 48.7% for children, but the drop for adults was far lower: only 5.5%.
Bike accident worries
Several reasons may contribute to the traumatic brain injuries suffered by adults. For one, more adults ride bikes these days since bicycles provide a less expensive way to commute. Others find bike riding to be an enjoyable weekend or retirement years hobby. Unfortunately, not everyone takes safety as seriously as they should. Riding without a helmet puts many people at risk.
Also concerning is the sheer number of bike accident-related emergency room visits. Between 2009 and 2018, 600,000 victims sought care after head injuries after bike accidents.
Adults might purchase the appropriate safety equipment, follow all biking/traffic laws and still get hurt. A reckless driver may hit a bicyclist due to speeding or being under the influence, among other reasons. These drivers could face a civil lawsuit due to their behavior.