Whether it’s a bicycle ride alongside traffic in Louisville or Lexington or a trip on a rural Kentucky highway, cyclists have every right to the road. Drivers may say they didn’t know this was true, but it’s their duty to know the laws affecting everyone using Kentucky roads.
Unfortunately, a driver’s ignorance or carelessness is always a risk to cause a major accident for someone on a bike. Cyclists can take a hit and sail over their handlebars. Their outstretched hands and arms are often the first body parts to absorb an impact.
Once a broken arm or wrist has occurred, it’s up to riders to work towards a full recovery. Unfortunately, it’s also up to victims to demand full injury support from an at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
Seek a Free Consultation From a Kentucky Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Cyclists use their hands and arms not only to hold handlebars, but also to do their jobs, fix lunch for their kids, and hug their spouses. A traumatic arm fracture can take weeks to heal and lead to complications that might develop into a permanent disability.
You should never face the expense and emotional battles of a difficult Kentucky bicycle accident recovery alone. In order to make sure you aren’t held responsible for the costs of your comeback from injury, contact Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, of Kentucky. We offer a free, no-obligation case consultation to all bicycle accident victims. It’s an easy way to understand every benefit that’s available to you and how to secure those benefits from an unhelpful car insurance company.
Broken Arm Bicycle Accident Dangers on Kentucky Roadways
You may enjoy the challenges of the Midland Kentucky Trail through the Red River Gorge. Or you might take your rides with your children through a quiet Louisville neighborhood. Riders should be able to enjoy some fresh air without worrying about their safety or their loved ones’ safety. They deserve the highest level of caution shown by all passing drivers, but that isn’t always the case.
Motorists can allow their 5,000lb SUVs to drift over into a bike lane to bump a rider from the road. A big rig can make a left or right turn in front of a cyclist, leaving no room to steer clear of a dangerous impact. A driver can be ignorant of the laws protecting cyclists on rural roads which gives them the same right to use a lane as any motorist.
Broken Arm Complications for Kentucky Bicycle Accident Victims
When drivers cause crashes, arms can be the first line of defense for a falling cyclist. Unfortunately, the three bones that make up the arm and form the elbow are often the first to take a blow. The upper arm is made up of the humerus bone connecting to the shoulder and the elbow. The lower arm is made up of the radius bone and the ulna bone connecting the elbow with the wrist.
Broken arms usually heal on their own and regain most of their strength over several months. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, there are several complications that can extend the debilitating effects of a fractured arm:
- Osteoarthritis – Broken bones that form part of a joint can cause the pain of arthritis years later. It’s why a Kentucky Bicycle Accident Lawyer makes certain that victims have the support they need now and down the road.
- Infections — Broken bones that break through the skin are exposed to dangerous germs that can cause bone infections. Victims can need surgery to remove areas of the bone that have died due to infection.
- Nerve or blood vessel injury – A broken arm bone may have jagged edges that damage nerves and blood vessels. Numbness can be a sign that circulation has been affected. Circulation issues can mean a cyclist doesn’t recover enough strength to endure a long ride.
- Stiffness – When an arm is immobilized in a cast or sling for a long period, long-term stiffness can develop. This stiffness can limit the range of motion a cyclist has in the arms and definitely make a bicycle ride more difficult.
- Uneven growth – Children are too often the victims in bicycle accidents. Their arms are especially vulnerable to fractures. A broken arm bone may cause stunted growth and affect a child’s physical development in the future. A Kentucky Bicycle Accident Traumatic Injury Lawyer works to secure enough financial support to cover any care the child may need in the years ahead.
Compensation Available for Kentucky Bicycle Accident Broken Arm Victims
One of the most important ways you can earn the most out of your bicycle accident broken arm claim is to ensure an insurance adjuster is aware of every damage you’ve suffered. You and your bicycle collision attorney will create a thorough list of every hardship you and your family have faced.
Every cost and difficulty must be on this list because anything left off won’t be eligible to earn compensation.
Your claim will include a list of these factors and more that all determine the size of your bicycle accident settlement check:
- Totals on hospital bills and estimates on future care expected to be necessary.
- Totals on any physical therapy to restore function to your arm.
- The costs you’ll encounter over a lifetime when confronted with a permanent disability resulting from a loss of function in the arm or an amputated arm.
- Pain and suffering. This includes the PTSD and anxiety you experience as a result of being in a traumatic accident. You should also earn support when facing a loss of enjoyment of life, especially if you can’t return to the bicycle rides you love.
- Reimbursement for the income and benefits you lose while you can’t work.
- Money for a new bicycle.
- Wrongful death benefits. Families may file a civil claim to earn important financial support for their hardships now and the hardships they’ll endure in the years to come. This includes assistance paying for a funeral and help with replacing the income the deceased would have continued to provide family members in the future.
Contact a Kentucky Bicycle Accident Lawyer After an Arm Fracture
Cyclists who suffer broken arms in a bicycle accident have up to two years to file an injury claim against a careless driver. But if you or a loved one have been injured due to a driver’s carelessness, it’s always best to act quickly. The longer you wait the harder it will be for your attorney to locate evidence and keep track of witnesses to get their testimony.
Talk to a Kentucky Bike Accident Lawyer you can trust to be on your side and fight for your fair compensation. To discuss your case in a free consultation with a real Kentucky lawyer, contact Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC today, by clicking here. If you decide we can help you earn the most for your bicycle accident arm injury claim, you won’t need any money. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.
