In theory, riding a bicycle should be no more dangerous than traveling inside a passenger car or by other means of modern transportation. However, bicyclists are often at much greater risk of getting hurt en route to their destination than almost anyone else on the road. Bicycles offer very little protection to their riders during collisions, and many motor vehicle drivers do not pay close enough attention to cyclists near them.
Regardless of the exact circumstances that lead to a crash, many of the most common injuries from bicycle accidents in Albuquerque can serve as valid grounds for civil litigation if they stem mainly and directly from someone else’s misconduct. Our skilled attorneys have years of experience building strong claims around a variety of injuries resulting from bike crashes.
Impacts to the head and neck are one of the most frequent injuries resulting from a bicycle crash in Albuquerque. They are also the single most common cause of life-altering and life-threatening injuries from this kind of accident. Fortunately, you can substantially reduce your risk of suffering facial disfigurement, skull fractures, and traumatic brain damage in a bike crash simply by wearing a properly fitted and designed safety helmet, even if you are not strictly required to do so by state or local law.
Wearing additional safety gear, such as knee and elbow pads, can help reduce the risk of a bicycle crash causing bone fractures and injuries to other parts of the body besides the head. Unfortunately, such injuries are still a common outcome of collisions caused by negligent drivers in Albuquerque, no matter what the bicyclist involved is wearing to protect themselves. The hips, ribs, hands, and lower legs are especially susceptible to damage.
Soft-tissue injury is a broad term that covers all kinds of traumatic damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the body that facilitate normal movement. This type of damage occurs frequently as a result of Albuquerque bicycle accidents, but tends to be overlooked compared to injuries such as head trauma.
Even if a cyclist avoids a high-speed impact against a speeding car or the pavement underneath them, an awkward landing could still lead to a sprained ankle, dislocated joint, or some other debilitating injury that limits their mobility for weeks or months afterwards.
Perhaps the most consequential non-fatal injury that a bike crash victim in Albuquerque can sustain is damage to their spinal cord. Because it cannot heal from trauma on its own or even with invasive medical care, damage to the cord of nerves inside the vertebrae of the spine is often irreversible. It can lead to permanent paralysis in every part of the body below the injury site.
This is far from a comprehensive list of every form of trauma that someone involved in a bicycle crash may experience. However, what is clear is that a cyclist’s life can change dramatically because of the short-term and long-term impact of these common injuries from bicycle accidents in Albuquerque.
If you have been seriously hurt in a bike wreck caused mainly by another person’s misconduct or negligence, you likely have a right to demand civil restitution. The attorneys at Duran & McDonald are dedicated to helping their fellow community members and could guide you through the legal process to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call today to schedule a consultation so we can discuss your possible claim.
