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Bicycle Accidents: Head Injury Prevention And Helmet Safety

We have been following the story of 20-year-old Kaylynne Charles, an Ocala woman who suffered a severe brain injury in a biking accident in Sylvia, North Carolina. Charles, who was not wearing a bike helmet at the time of her cyclist crash, suffered a skull fracture, brain bleeding, and a cardiac arrest after her accident.

Sadly, head injuries are very common when it comes to bicycle accidents – bikers often hold onto their handlebars during an accident, which means that their heads often come into contact with asphalt or concrete at high velocity.

The single most effective way to prevent head injuries during bike accidents is to wear an approved safety helmet. While it is the law in North Carolina for all children under the age of 16 to wear a bicycle helmet while riding, adults are free to choose whether or not to wear safety gear while cycling. Although helmet certainly do not prevent all brain injuries, they have been proven to reduce fatalities considerably and minimize damage done.

What are other steps that bicycle riders can take to reduce the risk of a head injury while biking?

• Know the rules of the road. A significant number of bike accidents occur when a cyclist breaks a traffic law, such as running a stop sign or riding on the wrong side of the road. If you know the laws, you are less likely to get hit.
• Make sure you can be seen. Many motorists who strike cyclists say, “I just didn’t see them.” Make sure to wear bright colors during the day and that you are equipped with reflects, lights, and light-colored clothing at night.
• Know your experience level. Don’t ride your new bike in a high-traffic area without getting used to it first, and don’t assume that because you see other bikes on a certain road that it is safe for you to try the route. The more experience you have, the safer you will be.

Have you or a loved one suffered a head injury in a bicycle accident in North Carolina? Consider scheduling a private meeting with a Raleigh personal injury attorney about your legal options for recovering money for medical bills and other damages.

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