Helmets key in reducing cyclists risk of traumatic brain injury

When car accidents in Maryland involve two vehicles, the damage the vehicles sustain as well as the injuries the occupants suffer can cover a wide range. In some cases, the occupants may be able to walk away without a scratch while in other, less-fortunate cases, the occupants suffer serious injury or even death. However, when an accident between a motor vehicle and a bicycle occurs, the cyclist typically can suffer great damage to his or her health, including suffering a traumatic brain injury.

There is little a cyclist can do to prevent being in an accident with a car besides obeying all traffic signs and practicing defensive cycling. However, there is an easy choice that, in the case of an accident, offers a great deal of protection — deciding to wear a helmet. Many may know that it’s a good choice to do so, but a new study has shown that in wearing one, the chance of suffering a traumatic brain injury — as well as death — is reduced significantly.

Researchers the the University of Arizona analyzed medical records of over 6,200 individuals who had suffered a traumatic brain injury in a crash. Of those individuals, a little over one-quarter of them were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. When compared to the individuals who were not wearing a helmet, those who did were around 58 percent less likely to have suffered a severe brain injury and 59 percent less likely to be killed.

Although cycling accidents sometimes result in catastrophic injuries, by wearing a helmet, this study has shown that even if a Maryland individual develops a traumatic brain injury, wearing one really does make a difference. But if an individual suffers a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence of another driver, he or she may decide to file a personal injury suit against the party believed to be responsible. An experienced personal injury attorney is often consulted to assist in defending the individual’s rights as well as to help with any litigation, if necessary.

Source: health.usnews.com, “Bike helmets protect against severe brain injury, study says“, Robert Preidt, Oct. 8, 2015