May is National Bike Month and the coming weeks are filled with events and awareness campaigns to help you and your child bike safely. Bike to Work Week runs from May 16-20 and, depending on how long your commute is, gives you an opportunity to get some healthy exercise and get to work a little greener than driving your car.
On a more serious note, bicyclists face a number of dangers while out on the main roadways. Collisions between vehicles and bikes oftentimes end in severe injury. Collisions between bikes and motor vehicles comprise about 90% of the total number of bicycle-related fatalities. Keeping this in mind, parents should make sure that their children know about the importance of staying safe while on two wheels and always wearing their helmets to prevent head injuries.
The Connection Between Head Injuries and Helmets
It is estimated that nearly 28 million children, ranging in age from 5-14, ride bicycles. However, just 15-25% of kids actually wear a helmet while on a bike. Wearing a helmet reportedly lowers the risk of suffering a head injury by 85% in the event of a crash. About 50% of children age 14 and younger are treated at hospitals for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) following a bike accident.
Emergency departments across the U.S. see 1/3 of their patients for bike-related injuries. The decision to wear a helmet is one that should not be taken lightly because it could mean the difference between bruises or scrapes and a severe TBI. Please remind your child to wear his or her helmet at all times, even if they just plan on riding back and forth in your driveway. The risk of not wearing a helmet is simply not worth it.
Statistics on Bike Accidents
A USA Safe Kids Bicycle Safety report revealed that accidents between cars and children on bikes, which resulted in the death of a child, occur at non-intersection areas between April through October and typically in the afternoon hours, after school. 60% of bike accidents involving a child fatality take place on secondary or back roads. Usually, accidents between a motor vehicle and a child on a bike take place within 1 mile of the child’s house.
Safety Reminders for Parents
Parents can ensure that their child rides safely by teaching traffic laws and hand signals to use while on a bike. Kids should always be required to wear a helmet when riding and to always look both ways when entering a roadway. These safety measures can ensure safe travels while out on the roadways or bike paths.
When You Need to Talk to Massachusetts Child Brain Injury Attorney
If your child has been seriously hurt by another, you shouldn’t have to pay for ongoing medical care and treatment. A serious injury may require lifelong care and financial support. Accepting a settlement offer without the guidance of skilled Massachusetts child brain injury lawyers can leave you and your child ill prepared for the road ahead. Your child deserves a legal team who is experienced in handling child injury cases in Massachusetts and one who can ensure that he or she will receive fair compensation for his or her injury.
Before you sign any insurance claim forms, give a recorded statement to the insurance adjuster, or agree to a settlement offer, schedule your FREE case evaluation today by calling 800-930-8145.
