What if my Child was Injured in a Bike Accident in Missouri or Kansas?

How to Prevent Child Injuries from a Bike Accident in Missouri & Kansas

Bicycle accidents cause thousands of injuries and fatalities each year. In 2018, 857 riders lost their lives in bicycle accidents in the United States. In 2019 in Missouri, 13 bicyclists died and 375 were injured in bike accidents. Also, in 2019, eight bicyclists died in Kansas because of traffic accidents.

Children between the ages of five and 19 years have the highest rates of non-fatal bicycle injuries in the nation. The age group accounts for more than one-third of all bicycle-related injuries treated in emergency rooms.

Parents need to teach children that bicycles are not toys. They are vehicles. Therefore, they must exercise caution and take steps to avoid injuries and accidents when riding their bicycles.

Tips for Preventing Child Injuries from Bike Accidents

Parents in Kansas and Missouri can help their children avoid bike injuries by teaching them bicycle safety rules. The NHTSA suggests the following safe riding tips for parents and children:

• Always wear a bicycle helmet. Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of injury and death in a bicycle accident.
• Make sure that your bicycle helmet is fitted correctly and that it meets or exceeds the federal government’s standards for bicycle helmets.
• Wear brightly colored clothing to increase visibility. At night, wear reflective clothing and use lights on the rear and front of the bicycle.
• Always check the bicycle before riding to make sure all equipment is working correctly.
• Obey all traffic laws for bicyclists.
• Watch for road hazards and dangers, such as broken glass, potholes, dogs, and car backing out of driveways.
• Use hand signals to indicate when turning or stopping.
• Never ride your bicycle when you are distracted. Always remain focused on the road ahead.
• Use bike paths and bicycle lanes wherever available.

Parents need to supervise young children whenever they ride their bicycles. Older children may also need supervision depending on their maturity level, needs, and ability to make safe decisions consistently when riding their bicycles.

For more bicycle safety tips for parents and kids and state-specific information for bicyclists, you can check the following websites:

• Safe Kids Worldwide
• Kids Health
• Healthy Children
• Missouri State Highway Patrol
• Missouri Department of Transportation
• Kansas Department of Transportation

One of the best ways for parents to teach their children about bicycle safety is to model good bicycle habits. Riding bicycles with your children allows you to model behavior that could prevent child injuries from a bike accident.

Steps to Take After a Child’s Bicycle Accident in Kansas and Missouri

Even the safest rider can be injured in a bicycle accident caused by a reckless driver. If your child is injured in a bicycle accident, call 911 to report the accident to the police and request emergency medical services.

Seek medical treatment for your child’s injuries. Monitor your child closely for signs or symptoms of brain injuries. Even though your child was wearing a helmet, he or she could have sustained a brain injury or other injury.

Seeking prompt treatment reduces the risk of injuries from worsening into life-threatening conditions. Also, prompt documentation of injuries through medical records improves your child’s chances of recovering the compensation they deserve for their pain and suffering and other damages.

Document your child’s bicycle accident injuries by taking photographs of the injuries. Keep a journal detailing your child’s suffering caused by the injuries. It can also help your child’s claim to make notes about how the injuries impacted your child’s emotional wellbeing, as well as social and educational activities.

Do not allow your child to answer questions or discuss the case with an insurance adjuster or anyone other than an experienced bicycle accident attorney. The insurance company may try to shift the blame for the bike accident to your child. An adjuster may allege that your child darted in front of the car or disobeyed traffic laws. The insurance company denies your child’s injury claim.

Instead, contact a Kansas City bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney reviews your child’s bicycle accident. He explains your child’s legal rights and the steps you need to take to help your child receive fair compensation for their injuries and damages. You may also be entitled to compensation for damages. We fight for compensation for parents and children.

Call Now for a Free Consultation with a Kansas City Bicycle Accident Lawyer

The Law Office of Kevin J. McManus handles cases for clients in Kansas and Missouri injured in bicycle accidents. Child injury cases can be complicated. Many children sustain injuries that have long-term consequences for their emotional, physical, and cognitive development.

Reach out to our office now to schedule your free consultation with a Kansas City bicycle accident attorney by completing our online contact form or by calling 816-203-0143.