Serious Injuries from Kansas City Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents occur more frequently than you might think in Missouri and Kansas. Many believe the increase in bicycle accidents in Kansas City is a result of more people cycling on our roads. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents can lead to serious and, in some cases, debilitating injuries that could heavily affect your quality of life.

If you or a loved one suffered an injury from a Kansas City bicycle accident, contact the Law Office of Kevin J. McManus at 816-203-0143 or through our contact form or chat to schedule a free consultation. Our experienced Kansas City bicycle accident attorney will work with you to ensure you get just compensation for your injuries.

Common Injuries from Kansas City Bicycle Accidents

While biking in Kansas City is mostly an enjoyable and healthy form of exercise, there are some common injuries to be aware of and take the necessary precautions for your safety. These injuries can include:

Head Injuries

Bicyclists involved in severe accidents are more likely to sustain brain injuries from hitting their head. Head injuries account for the bulk of bicycle accident-related long-term impairments, and brain injuries account for 60% of fatalities. Head injuries range from head scrapes to skull fractures, either of which may lead to brain injury.

Concussions

A concussion is the most common type of head injury suffered by cyclists involved in crashes. Learning what to look for after a head injury can help your diagnosis and recovery time. It is more likely that a head injury sustained in a high-speed bicycle collision will be much more severe.

A concussion could lead to symptoms such as:

impaired speech
dizziness
ringing in the ears
memory loss
temporarily impaired brain function

Any head injury can severely impact a person's mental and physical health, as well as the lives and well-being of their family and loved ones after the accident.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most severe forms of bicycle injuries. Riders may suffer a brain injury without demonstrating any visible head injuries, such as a concussion or other closed head injury. A traumatic brain injury can manifest as memory loss, impaired bodily function, mood swings, and long-term mental and emotional disorders.

Spinal Injuries

When a bicycle accident occurs, injuries can be easily sustained to vertebrae in your neck, back or spine due to the lack of physical protection of the bike. The most common spine injuries resulting from bicycle accidents include:

Slipped discs
Slipped discs fractures
Spinal-cord damage

Injury to the spine may have serious repercussions, including paralysis and movement difficulties.

Fractured or Broken Collarbone

A broken or fractured collarbone is one of the most frequent injury cyclists suffer due to the way an accident victim receives an impact with the ground. Being such a delicate bone, the collarbone is rarely protected when cyclists fall from their bikes. This results from the typical "forward" momentum of a bicycle fall. Treatment options will range from simple rest to surgery and bone plating for serious fractures.

Wrist, Arm or Leg Injuries

It is not surprising that the arms, wrists and legs are particularly vulnerable when cycling. Because of the nature of cycling, your upper extremity (arms, wrists and hands) and lower extremity (knees, ankles, and legs) are susceptible to injury. This can range in severity from mild sprains to serious fractures or breaks.

Depending on the severity, a wrist, arm or leg injury can keep you off your bike for a long period and perhaps necessitate a hospital stay or long-term disability.

Facial and Dental Injuries

Facial injuries can be prevalent after bicycle accidents. Such injuries may include abrasions or severe cuts, which require stitching and leave permanent cosmetic scars. Bicycle accidents could also lead to extensive damage to the cyclist's face, including broken or lost teeth, eye or vision impairment or damage, and injuries like a broken nose.

Jaw fractures and soft tissue injuries to the mandible are also frequent and require treatment from expert oral and maxillofacial surgeons, which is often costly.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Most soft tissue injuries occur and last the longest in your neck (cervical), middle (thoracic) or lower (lumbar) spine, and shoulder regions. These injuries can include persistent soreness, pain, and discomfort, in the back, neck, leg, shoulder, foot, arm, and hand.

Compared to fractures, which can heal more rapidly and completely, soft tissue injuries to the shoulder can cause long-term impairment. Due to the complexity of the spine or shoulder joint, long-term effects frequently occur when ligaments or tendons are torn or strained.

What Should You Do After a Kansas City Bicycle Accident?

It is common for a driver to try to place the blame on you after you have been injured in a bicycle accident. However, reckless driving by drivers—including speeding, intoxicated driving, distracted driving, and more—leads to numerous bicycle accidents in Kansas City every year. It is thus crucial to put up strong evidence toward your case as you work toward recovery.

Once you've checked yourself for injuries and carefully moved to a safe location to avoid further injuries, call 911 and report the bicycle accident. If your injuries are severe, and you are unable to call 911, have someone do it for you. You will need an official accident report when filing an insurance claim.

If possible, take photos or a video of the accident scene, but ensure you don't endanger yourself or others while doing so. Also, obtain the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Witness evidence is often highly useful in proving fault and culpability.

After the bicycle accident, you should see a doctor as soon as you can. Prompt medical care protects your health and the right to compensation for your injuries. Once your injuries have stabilized, reach out to our Kansas City bicycle accident attorney for a free consultation. Our attorney will help you file an insurance claim and avoid errors that could invalidate your claim, ensuring you get a fair settlement for your bicycle injury claim.

Get Help from Our Experienced Kansas City Bicycle Accident Attorney

The Law Office of Kevin J. McManus represents bicycle accident victims throughout Kansas and Missouri. If a careless driver caused your injury or you were hurt because of third-party negligence, let us help you in navigating receiving compensation for your losses and damages.

Call our office today at 816-203-0143 or through our online form or chat to schedule a free consultation with our Kansas City bicycle accident attorney. You can also instantly download a free copy of our book Crash Course, to learn more about the mistakes that could wreck your Kansas City bicycle accident claim. Call us today and let us help, we’re on your side!