Spinal Cord Dislocation in a Bicycle Accident
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer. When children are first taught how to ride a bicycle, they are always told to wear a helmet. A helmet can lessen the risk of a head injury, even saving someone’s life. Bicycle accidents also carry with them the risk of a serious spinal cord injury. A recent infographic published with statistics from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that:
- In 2008, more than 90 percent of cyclists who were killed were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
- Close to 600,000 people visit an ER due to injuries sustained while riding a bike each year.
- The most common locations for injuries while riding a bike are the neck, back, hands, and knees.
- Close to 20 states have laws that regulate how much distance motor vehicle drivers must give to cyclists.
- The majority of deaths from bicycle accidents are due to traumatic brain injuries. It is essential to have head injury symptoms checked out by a doctor immediately.
A recent case report was published illustrating the seriousness of bicycle accidents.
A Case Report: Serious Biking Injury in a Child
A team of medical professionals published a case report discussing a child who dislocated his spine in a bicycle accident. An 11-year-old boy was riding his bike when he was struck from the side by a motor vehicle. The child was thrown from his bike and landed on the ground, suffering numerous traumatic injuries. Fortunately, the child was wearing a helmet, which probably saved his life. Unfortunately, he had serious injuries and was taken to a hospital. There, he was diagnosed with multiple injuries, the most serious of which was a spinal cord dislocation. An MRI revealed that the child had dislocated his spinal cord a few vertebrae beneath the base of the skull. Unfortunately, he was paralyzed from the neck down. When a child is paralyzed at this location, his or her quality of life is significantly diminished. This young boy cannot feel anything below the neck. He can’t move his arms or legs, meaning that he can’t write, walk, or feed himself. He will be totally dependent on others for the rest of his life.
With the Assistance of a Lawyer
When a child sustains a serious injury, there is an overwhelming sense of fear and uncertainty that a family fears. Some of the common questions include:
- Will my child recover from this?
- Will my child grow up to become a functioning adult?
- How did this accident happen?
These are all normal questions following a traumatic accident, and every parent should be sure to ask the medical professionals any and all questions that they have. Sometimes, it can be helpful to talk with people outside of the medical field as well. Whenever a child is seriously injured, the accident should be fully investigated. Meeting with a caring bicycle accident lawyer in Sacramento will ensure that all details are uncovered.
Watch YouTube Video: Kids Bike Safety. Health experts say before kids start riding a bike there are a few safety tips they need to know. This video provides safety tips for parents to teach their children how to bike safely.
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Sacramento Bicycle Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, please contact me today at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Image Attribution: The photograph at the beginning of this page was located first on pixabay.com. The image has been reproduced here under the CCo, Creative Commons License.
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