Cycling Accidents and Head Injuries in Oregon: What You Need to Know

Head injuries are perhaps one of the most devastating injuries associated with bicycle accidents. If you have been injured in a crash that was caused by a driver, the bicycle accident attorneys at Schauermann Thayer can help. 

Bicycle accidents typically have a high rate of injury because there is no outer protection (like a car) to absorb the impact. If a cyclist strikes their head in an accident, they may be forced to deal with lasting injuries that may never heal. The brain is different from other organs in the body, and can be more susceptible to permanent injury. While bicycle helmets are required by law, they cannot provide full protection from head injuries. Bicycle helmets reduce the risk of traumatic brain injuries, but they are not 100% preventative. 

Bicycle Accidents Occur Regularly in the Portland Area

Despite Portland’s reputation as a cyclist-friendly city, bicycle accidents still occur regularly. Safety improvements by local authorities have reduced the number of bicycle accident injuries, but several hundred bicyclists each year are still hurt in crashes with motor vehicles. In these collisions, the driver of the vehicle is to blame more than 60% of the time.

Bicycle Accidents and Head Injuries

Nationally, more than 50,000 cyclists each year will be taken to the emergency room with some type of traumatic brain injury, whether it is a concussion or something even more serious. The statistics may not even tell the true story because only cyclists whose primary injury was a TBI were counted in this particular study. Many suffer concussions as a secondary injury when there is more serious harm done to another part of their body.

Regardless of what type of head injury you have suffered, you are likely looking at a period of inactivity and recovery. Head injuries may take several weeks for the symptoms to abate, and some may result in effects that could remain with you for months, years, or forever.

Examples of traumatic brain injuries can include: 

• Diffuse axonal injuries occur when there is shearing of the fibers in the brain because it has shifted violently in the skull
• Coup contrecoup injuries happen when the brain is bruised both at the point of impact and when it has slammed against the other side of the skull
• Hematomas are when there is blood pooling in the brain, which can lead to tissue death
• Penetrating brain injuries are when debris enters the skull and damages the brain

These brain injuries can cause permanent damage and may be accompanied by the loss of ability to perform vital functions, including:

• Movement
• Speech
• Concentration
• Memory
• Behavior changes
• Higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases

Accident victims who suffer traumatic brain injuries may not be able to work and have could have a diminished life expectancy. Additionally, the medical costs of treating a brain injury can be extremely costly. 

You May Be Entitled to Financial Compensation for Your Bicycle Accident

If a driver caused your bicycle accident head injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. It may be difficult to calculate the damages associated with your injuries. A bicycle accident attorney can investigate the crash and gather proof, while fighting for you to receive compensation for your injuries.

The bicycle accident lawyers at Schauermann Thayer can investigate your claim and help you navigate the legal process. Call us today at 360-695-4244 to speak with an attorney about your legal matter.