Cyclists on a bike lane along a Louisville Street or in a quiet tree-lined neighborhood in Lexington must constantly watch out for inattentive drivers. These drivers can take their eyes from the lane on a city boulevard or along a country highway and suddenly send riders off their bikes.
These dangerous impacts often cause major injuries and the first concern for a bicyclist is always the brain. The brain is a delicate instrument and any blow suffered in a bicycle accident can affect its ability to control the body.
Once a traumatic brain injury is diagnosed, it is critical that victims get the best medical care available. It’s also critical that they receive full support when it comes time to pay hospital bills.
Contact a Kentucky Bicycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Kentucky cyclists who suffer traumatic brain injuries after being struck by a vehicle are entitled to know every option and benefit available to them. Insurance companies for at-fault drivers can be asked for compensation to pay for hospital bills, to replace lost time at work, and for many other hardships bicycle accident victims experience.
Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, is a strong advocate for Kentucky cyclists. We want safe rides for bicyclists of all ages and skill levels. That’s why our law firm offers a free consultation to all Kentucky bicycle accident victims and to the parents of children who have been injured. Contact us to schedule a free case review. It’s an easy way to determine how much your bicycle injury may be worth and the level of support you should be expecting from an insurance company.
Bicycle Accident Traumatic Brain Injury Dangers in Kentucky
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are caused by a sudden blunt or penetrating force inflicted on the head. This blow causes damage to the brain by causing it to collide with the skull or by sending something through the skull to penetrate the brain. Penetration can also be caused by the skull fracturing and sending pieces of bone into the brain.
For cyclists sent from their bikes, a head impact can be caused by contact with a vehicle and then the pavement. Another impact may be suffered once the cyclist is on the ground and vulnerable to getting hit by the same car again or another vehicle.
A TBI may not even be detected by the victim until a medical checkup is performed. These are just a few of the common symptoms experienced after a bicycle accident Traumatic Brain Injury.
- Loss of consciousness. With a mild TBI, consciousness may only be lost for a few moments. With a more serious blow, a patient may be out for 30 minutes or more.
- This is considered a mild traumatic brain injury. Concussions are followed by a brief alteration of consciousness resulting in confusion for a short period.
- Headaches
- Blurry Vision.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Memory loss and amnesia. The severity will depend on the extent of the brain injury.
- Seizures.
- Vomiting.
Bicycle helmets often greatly reduce the severity of Traumatic Brain Injuries. In Kentucky, riders are not required to wear helmets and victims can still seek injury compensation even if they weren’t wearing one. A Kentucky Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer investigates your crash and builds a strong case for you so that you can get the most out of your Traumatic Brain Injury claim.
What to Do After a Brain Injury Suffered in a Kentucky Bicycle Accident
Your Kentucky bicycle accident attorney will be organizing powerful evidence and testimony in order to force an insurance provider to supply what’s fair in support. However, some of the best evidence will likely be found on the scene of your bicycle collision in the moments after it happens.
You’ll be the only one who can secure this evidence of a driver’s mistake that caused a TBI. If you are able, or someone with you is able to help, you should gather as much proof of what happened as possible.
Try to collect these details in order to have the best chance of getting the most out of your Traumatic Brain Injury:
- Put your safety first. Make sure you aren’t in a spot where you could get hit again. Dial 911. Give police officers a full report of what happened so they can create a collision report. Allow paramedics to check out your injuries and go to a trauma center if necessary.
- Use your phone to take pictures. Once police have secured the scene, get photos of your bike damage and the signs of the collision left on the car. Show traffic signs, signals, and lane markings that relate to what happened. Get pics of any visible injuries and abrasions to the head. Document that you were wearing a bicycle helmet if you have one.
- Talk to witnesses about what they saw. Get their contact information for your Kentucky bicycle accident lawyer.
- Exchange information with the driver if police don’t provide the driver’s information to you. Don’t discuss fault in the accident or talk about how badly you’re injured with the driver. These comments can be twisted to hurt your insurance claim later.
- Schedule a check-up with your own doctor. Traumatic brain injuries are often overlooked by victims. You may not feel serious symptoms until a day later. Follow the doctor’s recommendations.
- Keep damaged personal items, including your bicycle. Keep and preserve bloody clothing and shoes. These all make for solid evidence.
Contact a Kentucky Bicycle Accident TBI Lawyer
After you or a loved one suffers a traumatic brain injury in a bicycle accident caused by a careless driver, talk over your options with a skilled personal injury attorney. Insurance companies sometimes work fast so that you don’t have time to learn about every benefit available to you and your family. They pay you far less than you need, and suddenly you are left to cover the months of physical therapy bills that remain.
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 facial injury claim, you won’t need any money. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.
