Risk Factors for Bicycle Accidents in Children
I’m Ed Smith, a West Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer. Riding a bike has numerous benefits including helping people stay in shape, maintain a healthy weight, and even as a mode of transportation. Unfortunately, people run the risk of being involved in a biking accident, which could lead to serious injuries. According to information published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- In 2015, more than 1,000 people were killed while riding their bike.
- Close to 500,000 people sought medical care because of injuries they sustained in a bicycle accident.
- Bicycle accidents lead to more than $10 billion in lost income and medical expenses.
Because of how serious bicycle accidents can be, it is essential to understand the risk factors that could increase the chance of someone being involved in a bike accident. Children who ride bikes are at an even higher risk because of their size and their lack of awareness.
Bicycle Accident Risk Factors
A team of medical professionals looked at over 14 different studies that were conducted over a thirty year period. Their goal was to find trends that led to an increased risk of someone being involved in a bicycle accident, leading to traumatic injuries. Based on their information, children are more likely to be involved in bicycle accidents because they are still developing their coordination skills, often do not understand the risks associated with biking on the road, and are harder to see. Researchers found that the following factors increased the chances of being involved in a bike accident:
- Lower Socioeconomic Status: Children who come from families with a relatively low socioeconomic status were more likely to be hurt in a bike accident. This could be due to the relative safety in their communities or the area they live in.
- Riding on the Road: Many children ride bikes in the street because there aren’t any bike lanes available. The presence of a bike lane could make it easier for vehicles to spot and avoid bikers.
- Riding in Rural Areas: Children who bike in rural areas were more likely to be involved in an accident. Perhaps cities have more bike lanes available.
When a child has been injured while riding his or her bike, the circumstances deserve to be investigated. In this situation, an experienced bicycle accident attorney in West Sacramento can provide valuable assistance.
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West Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a West Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer. Bike accidents can cause serious injuries. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, please call me today at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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