SUV Struck Bicyclist
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento bicycle accident attorney. A young girl was riding her bike to school when she was struck by a sport utility vehicle on the morning of Friday, October 21, 2016. Thankfully, the injured girl is expected to make a full recovery. Sadly, this is not always the case when a motorist and a bicyclist collide.
What Happened?
The young girl was a 10-year-old student commuting to school in Sacramento. According to the California Highway Patrol, the driver of an SUV was on Howe Avenue looking left to observe for oncoming traffic approaching from the left. She did not see the girl approaching from the opposite direction in the vicinity of Howe Avenue Elementary School. The injured girl was transported to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries she received in the crash. The driver remained at the scene until authorities arrived.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration brings awareness to the topic of driving safely around bicyclists. In 2013, approximately 48,000 bicyclists were injured and 743 bicyclists passed away in crashes. A motorist should be constantly vigilant about scanning the roadway in all directions and at all times to prevent an accident like the one outlined above. One of the most common types of bicycle versus motor vehicle accident is when a motorist turns left or right in front of someone riding a bike.
Common Injuries Sustained in Bicycle Accidents
Sadly, a head injury is one of the most common type of bicycle-related injuries. This often occurs as a result of the bicyclist being thrown over their handlebars. Head injuries may be reduced by wearing a helmet. Common head injuries may include bumps, facial lacerations or even a skull fracture.
We see a lot of brain injuries resulting from bike accidents. This can range from a concussion to a serious brain injury. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) may lead to devastating results, like decreased bodily functions, memory loss and even permanent disabilities. Once again, TBIs occur in cases where the bicyclist was not wearing a helmet or crashes involving a high rate of speed, etc.
Spinal cord injuries. Our bodies are vulnerable to injury when we are riding our bicycles. Spinal cord injuries result when a bicycle accident victim lands on his head, neck or back with a significant amount of force. This can result in vertebrae fractures and paralysis.
Facial fractures and other injuries to the face. This may include include damage to or loss of an eye, broken nose, chipped teeth, broken jaw and facial scarring.
Fractured bones involving the arms, legs, shoulder, back, hip and neck. Multiple bone breaks are common and can lead to extensive rehabilitation.
Amputation Injuries. By far one of the most catastrophic injuries we see in our practice involve the loss of a limb.
Bicyclist Fatality. With no protection or barrier between a bicyclist and a motorist or a fixed object like a tree, building, or light post, the chance of suffering a fatal injury is much greater than someone driving a car. When someone you love has suffered a wrongful death, our injury lawyers are here to help you.
Sacramento Bicycle Accident & Wrongful Death Lawyers
Hello, my name is Ed Smith. I am a Sacramento bicycle accident attorney. If you’ve been injured while riding your bicycle due to no fault of your own, please call me as soon as you are able at for fast, free and friendly advice. You may also contact me free of toll at (800) 404-5400 anytime.
I have been assisting Sacramento families with their personal injury cases and wrongful death claims since 1982.
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Information Source for SUV Struck Bicyclist: http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2016/10/21/sacramento-girl-hit-by-suv-on-her-way-to-school/
Picture Source: By Boris Thaser from Augsburg, Germany via Wikimedia Commons
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