Accident And Injury Are No Respecter Of Persons!

Aug. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- Attorneys Kenneth L. Christensen and D. Russell Hymas of the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC created a new infographic that compiles statistics related to the most common bicycle injuries. The graphic was created to illustrate the relationship between cycling and injury, and also to convey the likely tragedy that can result from riding without a helmet.

Bicycle injuries result in 580,000 emergency visits each year, and 1 out of every 8 bicyclists injured has a traumatic brain injury. This infographic reminds riders that helmets are a way to prevent head injuries. Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 85%, brain injury by 88%, and severe brain injury by more than 75%. Knowledge of these shocking statistics is imperative since two-thirds of all bicycle deaths are a result of traumatic brain injuries, and an astounding 91% of all the bicyclists killed in 2008 were not wearing a helmet.

While wearing a helmet reduces the chances of fatal head injury, the probability of other injuries remains high even if you are taking preventative measures. Despite what you may think, it’s not just the inexperienced or undereducated cyclists that are being injured while riding. Statistics show that 61.2% of cyclists are following the law and riding on paved roads as required by most state laws – including Utah. Yet, the statistics in the infographic show that 15.7% are still riding in unapproved areas. Utah Law (Title 41, Chapter 6a) regards bicycles like automobiles on the road; they must stay in turning lanes, stop for pedestrians and lights, etc…  

A comparison between the number of injuries a year and the number of cyclists that are following laws demonstrates that accident and injury is no respecter of persons. Level of experience and education on a bike does not seem to disqualify any cyclist from injury.  But, it does bring up a whole set of questions:
1.   Do cyclists need to be more cautious about overuse?
2.   Does there need to be more awareness amongst motorists about cycling?
3.   What is it going to take to make sure every cyclist is wearing a helmet?
Regardless of the answers to those questions, cyclists don’t need to wonder whether or not they’re going to get injured on a bike. It is a statistical reality.  A word to the wise – the best defense is a good offense.  Make sure you have all the safety gear you need.

As a whole, bicycle accidents are more likely to result in severe injuries because of the more direct impact cyclists sustain. The Utah-based Christensen Law Firm, PLLC specializes in bicycle injury cases and works with insurance companies to help injury victims obtain the compensation they need to completely heal and get back on their feet.
The infographic was released to inform the public about the realities of bicycle injuries.

To spread the information and help reduce these statistics share the infographic with others. Embed the graphic on your own website, provide a link to the graphic from your website, blog about it, share it on Facebook, Twitter, and any other social networking site, or e-mail friends and colleagues the link.