One of the best things about living in California is enjoying a temperate climate during most of the year. This allows most people to ability to ride a bike throughout the year if they would like to. The bad news is that there are more bike accidents in California than most states. The worse news is that there are also more fatal accidents here than in most other states.
The Statistics on Bike Accidents Can Be Alarming
Many people have no idea about how common bike accidents are. More than 500,000 people end up in the emergency room throughout the country every year due to injuries sustained in bike accidents. Studies have shown that around two out of three fatal bike accidents and one out of three bike accidents involved trauma to the head or face.
When you consider how often head or face trauma is the main injury or cause of death, it seems like common sense for bike riders to wear helmets. While the percentage of regular riders regularly wearing helmets is on the rise, it is still not high enough. Despite the fact that helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%, only about half of cyclists wear them.
How to Choose the Best Helmet for Your Needs
Helmets work by absorbing the energy of an impact. This can help to significantly reduce the likelihood of and seriousness of a head injury. However, this all depends on whether or not the right helmet is chosen. The idea is to pick a helmet that is snug but still comfortable. It should be worn level on the forehead. It should never be tilted back, too loose, or tilted forward.
If the helmet is not positioned correctly or is too loose, it can shift or flay off in the impact of a bike accident. It will then essentially be useless in protecting the rider. The majority of bike helmets have a back strap that can be used to tighten it. They generally have padding that can be further customized to help personalize the fit. When a parent buys a helmet for their child, their child should be present so that the right size can be chosen.
It is also essential for a helmet to have a chin strap and buckle that will stain fastened. The chin strap should be entirely fixed – no matter how hard you pull or wiggle it, it should not come off the helmet and the strap should not unfasten.
If you or a loved one is injured in a bike accident, there are options available to you. Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 to find out if you have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit. We can help you find the best way to move forward.
