Avoid Minnesota Bike Accidents This Spring

The snow is finally going away, and that means people are going to be hitting Minnesota roads on bicycles. Unfortunately bicycle versus car accidents happen all too frequently. No matter who is at fault, when a bike rider is hit by a car, usually the cyclist comes out on the losing end.

To avoid bicycle accidents, follow these common sense tips:

• Use your head – wear a helmet! Helmets can prevent concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and even death.
• Before you hit the roads, make sure your bicycle is in good working order. Check the brakes, make sure the handlebars won’t slip, check your reflectors, make sure your cranks are tightened, and check that the quick release hub bolt is closed.
• Obey the rules of the road! Bikes are required to follow the same traffic laws as motor vehicles. That means you must stop for stop signs and stop lights, even in residential areas.
• Ride your bike like a motorist. Follow the flow of traffic on the right-hand side of the road. Use signals to alert drivers as to your intentions. Obey traffic signals.
• Be visible. Make sure you have reflectors on your bicycle, and wear bright clothing so motorists can see you more easily.
• Pay attention. Just like motorists, stay off the cell phone! Don’t use headphones, and keep both hands on the handlebars.
• Watch out for motorists. Even if you’re doing what you are supposed to, keep your eye on the other guy. If you’re involved in a car versus bicycle accident, you’re probably going to come out on the losing end, even if you’re not at fault.

Injuries sustained by bicyclists involved in a car versus bike accident are almost always severe. Make sure your medical bills are paid, you are reimbursed for your wage loss, and you are compensated for your pain and suffering. Don’t try to take on the insurance company by yourself. A good Minnesota personal injury lawyer can help make sure you are compensated for your losses.

If you are injured as a result of a bicycle accident due to someone else’s carelessness or negligence, call us at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email for a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our Minnesota personal injury lawyers.

Visit us at MeuserLaw.com!

Use Your Head: Wear a Helmet

Some recreational activities, such as riding horse, skiing, snowboarding, riding bicycle or riding motorcycle, carry with them an increased risk of traumatic brain injury should an accident occur. The single best way to prevent catastrophic brain injuries as the result of an accident is to wear a helmet.

Dr. Marvin Zelkowitz, a board-certified neurologist at Ingalls Memorial Hospital, notes in the SouthTown Star that "In my 30 years as a neurologist, I have seen every type of head injury imaginable, from mild to fatal. Wearing a helmet can help reduce serious head injuries 50 to 80 percent of the time."

Helmets provide two types of protection, Dr. Zelkowitz said. "They're best at preventing penetrating injuries, but they also absorb quite a bit of force."

In order to choose the right type of helmet, one must keep in mind that different activities require different types of helmets. For example, you shouldn't wear a bicycle helmet while skiing and vice versa. Visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Website or the Snell Memorial Foundation, which independently tests all types of helmets to learn more about choosing a helmet. Design and fit are the most important safety features of any helmet. They should be comfortable and snug. A helmet should be centered on the top of the head and the strap should always be buckled.

Helmet use is particularly important for children. As many as 75% of bicycle-related deaths among children could be prevented by the use of a bicycle helmet. To encourage regular helmet use, adults should serve as role models for their children and wear helmets as well.

Despite best intentions, injuries still do happen. The risk of head injuries or traumatic brain injuries is highest among men ages 15 to 24. Fortunately, most head injuries are relatively minor, but for half a million Americans every year, the injuries are severe enough to require hospitalization. For safety’s sake, anyone who has suffered a blow to the head should seek medical attention. If you experience convulsions, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, dilation of one or both pupils, vomiting, severe headaches, confusion or agitation, you should seek emergency medical attention. The initial period of care following a brain injury is critical. Emergency care for traumatic brain injury focuses on preventing permanent and serious brain damage.

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries as the result of a bicycle or motorcycle accident, contact Meuser & Associates to learn about your rights under Minnesota law. For a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at 877-746-5680, or click here to send us an email.

Visit Minnesota Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Law Firm, Meuser & Associates, P.A., at MeuserLaw.com

Warmer Weather in MN Means More Bike Accidents

Nicer weather in Minnesota means more people will be out on bikes for recreation or for commuting in the coming weeks and months. Drivers need to be more watchful for bicyclists, and bicyclists need to watch for inattentive drivers. Unfortunately, crashes between bikes and automobiles will happen. Bikers who are injured through the negligence or carelessness of automobile drivers may be entitled to compensation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2007:

• 698 cyclists who were involved in US traffic crashes that year died
• 44,000 cyclists were injured
• 72% of cyclist injuries occurred in urban areas
• 64% occurred at non-intersection locations
• 26% occurred between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• 22% of cyclist injuries occurred in June and September
• 4 people were killed in bike crashes in Minnesota in 2007
  

Unfortunately, crashes between bikes and cars, trucks, or motorcycles often result in serious or even catastrophic injuries, including lower extremity injuries, head injuries, back and neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or spinal injuries.

A bicyclist injured as the result of the negligence or carelessness of an automobile driver may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, wage loss, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Meuser & Associates has successfully represented several bicyclists injured by at-fault drivers. Call us at 877-746-5680 or click here to send us an email to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers.

Visit our website at MeuserLaw.com!