Riding a bicycle in New York City has become a trendy and efficient alternative mode of transportation for many New Yorkers and visitors. Like many other cities in New York, the use of helmets is optional. While riding without a helmet is no crime, a close look at the statistics suggests such an important decision should not be made lightly.
Leading Sport for Traumatic Brain Injuries
Although football has dominated the discussion for sports-related head injuries, research shows that bicycle accidents result in more traumatic brain injuries (TBI) each year in the United States. In fact, according to research conducted by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 86,000 of the 447,000 sports related head injuries treated in emergency rooms in 2009 were due to bicycle accidents.
New York City bicycle accidents also account for the leading cause of sports-related head injuries in children under 14 years of age.
How to Reduce Likelihood of Head Injuries
While sustaining a head injury while cycling may not be totally preventable, there are certain precautionary measures you can take to reduce the risk of sustaining head injury, specifically a TBI.
Perhaps the most important safety measure to prevent serious head injury is to wear a fitted helmet while riding your bike. Although New York law only mandates children under 14 wear a helmet while riding, riders of all ages can benefit from the protection of this important safety device.
In addition to wearing a helmet, another helpful safety measure is using marked bike lanes while riding. While not all New York City streets have marked bicycle lanes, those that do have 40 percent fewer bicycle accidents ending in death or serious injuries.
Injured on a Bike? We Are Here to Help!
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bicycle accident that was caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another party, call the NYC bike accident lawyers at Gersowitz, Libo & Korek, P.C. to discuss your rights.
For more information or to schedule a complimentary consultation, call us at 212-584-2494.