March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

Along with common injuries such as road rash and broken bones, most bicyclists sustain severe head injuries even if they were wearing a safety helmet at the time of their bicycle accident. Cyclists who do not war a safety helmet run a much higher risk of incurring traumatic brain injury (TBI) or even death. The following statistics, taken from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, are indeed humbling:

• 1.4 million people sustain TBI each year
• 50,000 people die from sustaining serious head injuries
• An additional 235,000 are hospitalized for TBI
• 5.3 million Americans are estimating to be living with lifelong brain injures

March is nationally recognized as Brain injury Month; we urge Utah motorists and bicyclists to participate in raising awareness and education of the causes and consequences of head injuries. The 2010 nationwide education campaign, largely sponsored by the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), is “A Concussion is a Brain Injury. Get the Facts.”

Have you Suffered a Concussion Lately?

As Salt Lake personal injury attorneys, I have found that a concussion is the predominant injury that bicyclists involved in an auto verse bike accident sustain. Most cyclists focus on treating their bruises, scrapes and neck pain before seeing a medical doctor about their head injury. It isn’t until their headaches, memory loss, ringing in their ears or other symptoms become a serious nuisance. Tragically, since these Utah Bicycle accident victims have waited so long for medical treatment, their injuries have worsened and they risk irreparable damage.

What is a Concussion?

Cyclists are run a much higher risk of incurring a concussion brain injury when they have been involved in a car verses bicycle accident. The following information was provided by the BIAA:

• Concussions can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head.
• Concussions can be caused from a blow to the body that causes the head to move rapidly back and forth.
• Contrary to popular thought, most concussions occur without the loss of consciousness.
• The lack of properly diagnosing or treating a concussion may result in serious consequences including irreparable brain damage, memory loss, brain hemorrhaging, coma and even death.
• The signs and symptoms of a concussion may take days or weeks to fully present themselves—when the damage is permanent. This is why one should seek immediate medical treatment after a bicycle accident.
• A concussion is a form of Traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Finding the Right Utah Bicycle Accident Attorney for You

Attorney Kenneth L. Christensen and the attorneys of the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, know the laws relating to personal injury in Utah, particularly brain injuries. While we cannot undo the harm that has been done, we can provide you and your family with the security and comfort knowing that we will obtain a fair and just settlement for your bicycle accident case.  Call us today for a FREE consultation at 801.506.0800 or feel free to navigate through our main website for more information about brain injuries and resources.

In September of 2009, Sam was enjoying a fall afternoon bike ride through the neighborhoods near Brighton High School. A motorist failed to yield to the right of way of traffic and hit Sam head on.  The force of the impact propelled Sam 20 feet into the air. Fortunately, Sam was wearing his helmet. Sam hit his head upon impact with the asphalt with enough force that his jaw was broken. Sam sustained serious injury in this Utah bicycle verses automobile accident. He also had a broken wrist, a broken ankle, road rash and a laceration that required stitches. A family friend referred Sam and his family to Attorney Ken Christensen at the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC. Together, they have successfully filed a personal injury claim with Allstate Insurance Company.

How to Protect Your Utah Bicycle Injury Case

Get a Police Report

Sam was fortunate that a couple was walking their dog in the area and witnessed the bicycle verses car accident. They quickly called Cottonwood Heights Police Department and were able to provide statements which confirmed that Sam had signaled properly and that he had the right of way. Since the motorist was cited at the scene of the accident, Allstate Insurance company was compelled to accept liability for the personal injury claim much more quickly than they would have.

Document Property Damage

Sam’s bicycle was totaled. The windshield of the SUV was broken. The front passenger lights were broken. Upon Sam’s request, photographs were taken of all the property damage and the scene of the accident. Attorney Ken Christensen can now use these pieces of evidence to give further weight to Sam’s personal injury claim. This includes getting Sam fully compensated for the loss of his road bicycle—the custom tires, clip on shoes and pedals, and eye wear. Without proper documentation, the bicycle accessories that were destroyed in the collision would have been difficult to recover for full value.

Get Medical Attention

As Salt Lake Personal Injury attorneys, we have seen the numerous tragedies following the dangerous trend of cyclists not going to the emergency room after a bicycle accident. Unless they have visible wounds or broken bones, Utah bicyclists often wait a few days before seeing a medical professional. This is an unwise and unsafe practice. Along with the common injuries such as road rash, many cyclists sustain severe head injuries called traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can have long-term or even lifelong effects.

Symptoms of TBI

Victims from TBI can suffer from a range of debilitating symptoms, including minor to severe amnesia, subdural hematoma, brain hemorrhaging and seizures. Minor forms of TBI are dizziness, short term memory loss, blurred vision, depression attention loss, or personality changes. Cyclists have suffered a brain hemorrhage and died because they waited to see a doctor. I f you are involved in a bicycle accident, be sure to seek medical treatment right away. It’s better to rule out all possible brain and spine injuries than to find out you could have prevented further injury or death.

Why Talking to a Qualified Bicycle Accident Lawyer Matters?

Attorney Ken Christensen wrote The Utah Bicycle Accident Handbook to educate bicyclists on what to do if they ever find themselves in an accident. He knows Utah Accident law, what cyclists rights are and how to directly deal with insurance adjusters. You can order a free copy of this book today by calling 801.506.0800.

Whether or not to hire an attorney and begin the legal process is a big decision that can have long-lasting consequences. That is why we offer a Free no obligation meeting with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys. At this meeting you have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding your legal options, insurance benefits and what lies ahead in your personal injury claim. At the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, we find it important that you have a relationship with your attorney. Please feel free to contact Ken Christensen at 801.506.0800.

Bicyclists run a great risk of severe injury when involved in an accident.  Many public safety sources estimate that 9 out of 10 bicycle accidents involve a motor vehicle.  A bicyclist has little protection against the force of a two-ton car or truck.  While many victims of such accidents suffer from road rash and broken bones, most bicyclists sustain severe head injuries.Serious head trauma is often called traumatic brain injury (TBI). 

Victims of TBI can face debilitating symptoms, many of which have long-term or even lifelong effects.  TBI symptoms can include minor to severe amnesia, subdural hematomas, brain hemorrhaging and seizures.  These are the more serious of TBI symptoms, but even minor injuries can have painful and life-altering consequences.  Victims of more minor forms of TBI often suffer from dizziness, short-term memory loss, blurred vision, depressions, attention loss or personality changes.

Of course, the physical implications and symptoms of TBI constitute only a portion of the overall consequences and effects of this serious injury.  The mental and emotional toll from TBI affects not only the victim, but also friends, relatives and loved ones.  Symptoms incurred from TBI --whether minor or severe-- can result in emotional repercussions, familial strain and social stress.  Such angst is only exacerbated by the hospital visits and medical expenses that result from such an accident.

Utah State law does not require bicyclists to wear safety helmets.  However, research has consistently proven that bicycle helmets reduce the chances of severe head trauma by 85%.  Since one-third of all bicycle accident fatalities are caused by traumatic brain injuries, we strongly recommend you always wear a helmet while riding your bicycle.If you have suffered a TBI from a bicycle accident due to the negligence of a motorist, you are entitled to full and just compensation for your injuries. Monetary damages are not limited to medical expenses.  TBI victims may receive damages for the following:

• Present and future pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Reasonable value for loss of time and earning capacity
• Poor health or disability caused by the traumatic brain injury
• Mental anguish

The expert bicycle attorneys at the Christensen Law Firm offer Utah bicycle accident victims the personal attention their case deserves.  If you have been injured in a bicycle crash, contact us today for a free consultation on your legal rights.  We provide caring service to our clients as we diligently and aggressively seek to hold the responsible party accountable.  Obtaining the recompense you deserve will help ensure you receive proper medical treatment and help ease the burdens of TBI.

Main Office: 801-506-0800
Utah County: 801-224-2999
Davis/Weber County: 801-294-9500