Helmet Use Reduces Spine Injuries
I’m Ed Smith, an Ione Bicycle Accident Attorney. While people are growing up, many of them learn how to ride a bike. There is even a saying that once people learn how to ride a bike, they never forget. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of people and helmet use while riding a bicycle. Many people do not wear helmets while riding either because they just forget or because they find them to be uncomfortable. A recent medical article was published demonstrating that helmet use reduces spine injuries.
Mechanism of Injury in Bike Accidents
When people are learning how to ride a bike, it is not unusual to fall as people work on developing their muscle coordination. A bicycle does not offer the same protection between the person and the road that a car might. Therefore, it is not uncommon for people to sustain severe traumatic injuries from riding a bike. Some of the common injuries include:
- Bone Fractures: When someone falls from a bike, bone fractures, are common. This typically comes from people bracing their fall with their hands and wrists.
- Abdominal Trauma: Abdominal trauma often happens from impacts between the stomach and handlebars. This could lead to internal bleeding or organ rupture.
- Spine Injuries: Unfortunately, spinal injuries and head injuries can occur. For this reason, it is essential to wear a helmet. This equipment keeps the rider from suffering severe injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury.
A Study: Helmet Use and Spine Injuries
A team of medical professionals recently published a study detailing the change in frequency and severity that is seen in spine injuries concerning bicycle accidents. In the study, the professionals collected all of the records from their hospital regarding spine injuries that people had sustained in a bicycle accident. They then conducted a systematic review to compare the wounds of those who were wearing a helmet to those who were not. What they found was that when people were involved in an accident without wearing a helmet, they sustained more frequent and more severe spinal injuries than those who had an accident while wearing the protective device. Some important statistics on helmets include:
- Deaths: Around 75 percent of bikers who were killed sustained a head or spine injury in the process.
- Helmet Use: Over 95 percent of bikers who were killed were not wearing a helmet.
- Serious Injuries: Bikers suffering devastating injuries were rarely wearing a helmet. Just over 10 percent of these patients had one on.
- Teenagers and Young Adults: More than half of the individuals sustaining a spine injury were between the ages of 16 and 30.
The results of this study show that if people wear their helmet while they ride a bike, they are at a significantly lower risk of sustaining a spinal injury.
Recovery from Spine Injuries
When someone sustains a spinal injury, the complications of this injury can be severe. Depending on the level of the spine where the damage is received, there are a variety of symptoms that someone could manifest. Examples of possible signs include:
- Incontinence: An injury at one of the lower levels of the spine could lead to someone having dysfunction in their bowel or bladder habits.
- Mobility and Sensation: An injury at one of the spine’s higher levels could lead to challenges with motor and sensory function. This can seriously impair someone’s quality of life with relation to mobility, ability to work, and ability to exercise.
Families who have concerns should not feel hesitant about reaching out and asking for help. An experienced attorney can help a family conduct a full investigation into the circumstances of the accident and can discuss if there are any other options available that family might find benefit in pursuing.
Related Articles by Ed Smith:
- Who is at Fault in an Accident?
- Factors in Determining the Value of a Personal Injury Claim
- Time Limit in Filing a Personal Injury Claim
Ione Bicycle Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, an Ione Bicycle Accident Attorney. Individuals who sustained a severe injury in a bike accident can contact me using (209) 227-1931 or toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
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Image Attribution: The picture at the beginning of this article was seen on Unsplash. It has been shown on this location with permission.
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