Bicycling is more than just a form of recreation for several people throughout Colorado Springs, it’s also a leading mode of transportation. There are unquestionable benefits to riding a bike. Bicycling is better for the environment, costs very little to maintain, and is a great method of exercise. It’s no wonder than more and more people are taking up bicycling and making it a part of their daily lives.
But, there is a downside to the rise in the number of bicyclists: an increasing number of people are at risk of being seriously injured. It’s clear that an individual is exceedingly more vulnerable when riding a bike as opposed to driving a car. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that there were approximately 48,000 bicyclists injured during 2013 in the United States. As one might expect, cyclists’ arms and legs were most often injured, occasionally resulting in broken bones.
Most bicycle accidents that result in broken bones are of the car-vs.-bicycle variety. The treatment and recovery process can be varied depending on the type of break and its severity. The types of bone fractures that a victim can suffer in a bicycling accident are:
• Closed fracture: This is a break or crack in the bone that does not puncture the skin but sometimes causes injury to tissues in the area.
• Open fracture: This is when a bone breaks in such a way that bone fragments stick out through the skin or a wound penetrates down to the broken bone. In open fractures, there is an increased risk of a deep bone infection.
• Comminuted fracture: This is a break or splinter of the bone into more than two fragments. These types of fractures occur as a result of high impact trauma.
• Displaced fracture: This is a traumatic bone break in which two ends of the bone are separated and moved out of their normal positions. The bone may puncture the skin or remain contained within the skin.
• Non-displaced fracture: In these cases, the bone is cracked but maintains its positioning.
If you or someone you love has suffered a bone fracture from a bicycle accident, then you know well the significant pain and discomfort that occurs as a result. Some victims may require surgery, depending on the severity of the injury. The employment status of the victim may be impacted, possibly as the result of a long recovery process on the road back to full health. It is important that you get the legal expertise you deserve to help you get through this difficult time. Know your legal rights. Call the attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. today at (719) 475-2555.