New York Bike Injuries from Not Wearing a Helmet
Brain injuries are some of the most common types of personal injuries from not wearing a bike helmet. Bike accidents in New York can either be caused by the fault of the cyclist or another driver on the road. Collisions with other objects and vehicles are common causes of severe bike accidents. In certain instances, you may be eligible for compensation. If your bike accident was partly caused by the actions of another driver, try contacting a Central New York Bicycle Accidents Lawyer to see if you can file a lawsuit.
Brain Injuries from Bike Accidents
New York law mandates that children under the age of 14 wear bike helmets, but this same law does not apply for adults. The reality is that only 48% of children under age 14 wear bike helmets in the United States, and the older kids become, the less likely they are to wear a helmet. This has led to a variety of injuries and thousands of deaths.
There were 515,000 bicycle injuries and 26,000 injuries in children and teenagers involving traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Some TBIs can become detrimental if left untreated. Moderate-to-severe TBIs can cause a multitude of cognitive problems, loss of movement or sensation, and memory loss. The most severe forms of TBI can lead to coma or death.
It is because of these statistics that we encourage the use of bike helmets, especially for people who ride their bikes on the busy highways and intersections. However, there are some cases in which you may be able to file a lawsuit if you were injured in a bicycle accident while not wearing a helmet.
Filing Lawsuits for Bike Accidents Without Helmet
New York operates under modified comparative negligence, which means you can still be compensated even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Although, the damages you are entitled to are limited based on your percentage of fault. Common damages people are eligible for when it comes to accidents on the road are personal injuries, psychological distress, and lost wages. In the case of bike accidents without helmets, you may eligible for any of these damages depending on your situation.
However, lost wages can only be collected if you were out of work because of your bicycle injuries. Missing work is not uncommon for bone fractures, but also for brain injuries that create temporary cognitive impairments that take time to recover from. A lawyer will be able to lay out more options for you.
New York Bicycle Accident Attorney
No one can predict when a bicycle accident will occur. The brain injuries caused by bike accidents can put many people out of a job for long periods of time and may result in lifelong impairments with permanent damage. These often require years of physical therapy and other long-term treatments. Brain injuries like these are usually considered severe, which means you may be able to file a lawsuit with the help of an Auburn Personal Injury Lawyer.
At Gattuso & Ciotoli we offer our clients four areas of legal practice. Contact us at (315) 314-8000 today for a free consultation. Our offices are located in Central New York, Syracuse, Watertown, Binghamton, Syracuse, North Syracuse, Camillus, Liverpool, Cortland, and Auburn. Let us help you earn the compensation you need to recover.