New York City recently began a long-awaited community bicycle sharing program. Despite that it is reportedly the largest bicycle sharing program in the country, safety helmet use is optional. The decision was allegedly made in an attempt to increase participation in the bike sharing program. That policy has purportedly left some people in New York concerned.
According to research conducted by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, bicycling causes more traumatic brain injuries than any other sport in the United States. In 2009, 86,000 Americans were reportedly treated in an emergency room for a head injury that was sustained in a bicycle crash. That means nearly 20 percent of sports-related brain injuries were sustained by a bicyclist. In contrast, only 47,000 of such head injuries were sustained by someone who was playing football and about 38,000 by individuals playing baseball. In addition, bicycling accidents apparently caused more than 40,000 brain injuries in children under the age of 14 during the same year.
Currently, about three-quarters of all bicyclist deaths in New York City allegedly involve some sort of brain injury. Dr. Gonzalo Vazquez-Casals, a neuropsychologist at New York's Jamaica Hospital Medical Center reportedly believes bicycling is dangerous for a number of reasons. He said because riding a bike is often seen as a commonplace task, people are less likely to use safety equipment such as a helmet or utilize other precautions like riding in dedicated bicycle lanes. In addition, the risk for being involved in an accident involving a motor vehicle is high for bicycle riders. Approximately 90 percent of bicyclists across the U.S. who were killed in a crash in 2009 were not wearing a safety helmet.
Regrettably, you are placed at risk of being hurt or killed every time you travel on the streets in New York City and elsewhere. Bicycle accident injuries are normally serious and often include severe head trauma, temporary or permanent paralysis, fractured bones, and untimely death. If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in a bicycle accident that was caused by a negligent driver, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your injuries. A quality personal injury and accident law attorney can help.
The caring lawyers at Korngut Paleudis LLC are available to assist the victims of unexpected bicycle and other accidents. Please contact the experienced New York City personal injury and accident law attorneys at Korngut Paleudis LLC to discuss how you can recover the financial compensation you deserve based upon the severity of your bicycle accident injuries. Our capable advocates have more than 45 years of experience helping clients who are located in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. To speak with a knowledgeable lawyer about your personal injury or wrongful death case, contact Korngut Paleudis LLC through the law firm's website or give us a call at (212) 835-6768 in New York City or (609) 480-3080 in Princeton, New Jersey.
Really? Cycling Is the Top Sport for Head Injuries, by Anahad O'Connor, New York Times