Cycling is a very popular way of transportation and a fun activity that has a great impact on health and the environment.

Although bicycles offer fast, efficient ways of transport, saving money, and are environmentally friendly, many accidents are caused by bicycles, whether it was the cyclist’s fault or someone else in the traffic. These accidents can result in serious injuries such as nerve damage, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, etc.

Among the above-listed injuries, nerve damage is one of the most complex ones, considering it affects sensory functions, coordination, in worst cases, causes paralysis, and can cause significant neuropathic pain.

If the accident happens, it is important to contact a legal company in order to seek accountability if the incident wasn’t your fault and recover the compensation to which you are entitled.

Causes of Injury

There are many ways a bicycle accident can happen (e.g., riding at excessive speed, which reduces concentration, making it harder to react in time when facing potential danger). In addition, other vehicles on the road can endanger the lives of cyclists and other road users through careless or irresponsible behavior.

In some areas, not all parts of the city are suitable for cycling, which compromises safety since other road users may not expect cyclists in places without designated bike lanes and where cycling is not anticipated.

Injuries resulting from bicycle accidents most commonly include nerve damage, brain injuries, spinal injuries, and broken bones. One of the most serious is nerve damage, because it can lead to long-term impairment, loss of sensation, chronic pain, and difficulty performing everyday tasks.

Nerve injuries also affect coordination and motor function, which is challenging and has a huge impact on everyday routine and quality of life overall. 

How Can Location Affect Risk of Injury

Larger, fast-paced cities like New York or Chicago naturally have a higher number of bicycle accidents due to the large variety of vehicles: motorcycles, cars, trucks, bicycles, and many others.

Heavy traffic in these cities also affects people’s ability to stay focused, leading to a greater number of collisions, whether between two cyclists, a cyclist and a pedestrian, or a car and a bicycle. If an injury does happen, it’s very important to respond appropriately and determine who was at fault for the accident, a key factor that may change based on where the accident happened. If, for instance, the injury happened in Chicago and you contact a Chicago lawyer for bicycle-related nerve damage, the legal representative will immediately focus on ‘modified comparative negligence,’ which under Illinois law allows you to recover damages as long as you were 50% or below at fault.

If the accident happened in NYC, under New York law, you’d be looking at ‘pure comparative negligence,’ which states that you can recover damages even if you’re 99% at fault—quite the difference.

Importance of Early Intervention

It’s extremely important to receive necessary medical care immediately after an accident, even if the pain doesn’t seem severe at first, because it can worsen over time, and your overall health condition may deteriorate.

For example, in cases of nerve damage, the pain may initially feel like mild tingling, but these sensations can progress into complete numbness, sharp pain, muscle atrophy, lowered blood pressure, and more.

That’s why it’s crucial that if you notice any symptoms after an injury, you consult a doctor who can perform a professional evaluation of the injury and help you recover as quickly as possible. If the damage is permanent, the doctor can still help minimize pain and improve your quality of life to some extent.

Financial  and Emotional Burdens

In addition to physical strain, those injured in an accident must also deal with financial and emotional burdens.

There are a lot of medical bills to pay, rehabilitation, loss of financial stability due to the inability to work and provide for yourself and your family, and many more challenges the victims of a bicycle crash have to face. That’s why, if the accident was not your fault but caused by another person’s negligence on the road, poorly constructed bike lanes, missing signage, or improperly maintained vehicles, it’s advisable to take legal action as soon as possible to obtain the financial assistance you need.

Although it’s not strictly necessary, it is best to choose a law firm that specializes in nerve injuries and bicycle accidents.

On the other hand, coping with an injury can be the most challenging part of adjusting, mentally and emotionally.

Others may not fully know about (or understand) your anxieties and feelings of depression. Many struggle with the loss of the sense of being able to provide for their family.

This often results in a smaller circle of friends, spending less time outside the home, isolating yourself, and not talking about the problems you are facing.

Conclusion

For those coping with injuries resulting from a bicycle accident, persistence and patience are essential. Everything in life falls into place if you believe and stay committed to improving your quality of life.

By attending regular rehabilitation sessions, visiting your doctor, and focusing on the small things in life that bring you joy, it becomes much easier to cope with loss.

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