Broken Bones and Busted Bikes: 7 Common Bicycle Injuries in Florida and How To Avoid Them

It was supposed to be a leisurely Saturday morning bike ride through the streets of Fort Lauderdale, but in the blink of an eye, Samantha’s world was turned upside down. As she approached an intersection, a careless driver ran a red light and sent her flying off her bicycle. The impact was immediate and devastating. Samantha broke her collarbone and fractured her wrist, leaving her in excruciating pain. She faced a long, difficult recovery, and the stress of navigating a personal injury claim certainly didn’t help. What was meant to be a relaxing exercise had morphed into a nightmare scenario — one that far too many Floridians experience each year.

Whether you’re an avid cyclist or an occasional bike commuter, understanding the risks and taking proactive steps to stay safe on the roads is crucial. In this article, we’ll explore the seven most common bicycle injuries in Florida, and provide practical tips to help you avoid them.

However, even if you take all the necessary precautions, some accidents are unavoidable. If you’ve suffered a bicycle injury, take the first step and contact an experienced Hollywood, FL personal injury attorney to discuss your case at (954) 983-7100.

At Cohen & Cohen Law, we are here to be the experience you need and the representation you can trust with your bicycle accident case.

Head Injuries

Head injuries are among the most common bicycle injuries in Florida. While a helmet may seem like a minor accessory, it is the most important piece of safety gear a cyclist can wear.

The force of impact during a collision or fall can easily cause serious injuries, including concussions, skull fractures, and even life-threatening brain trauma. Cyclists are uniquely vulnerable, as even low-speed crashes can send the rider flying off the bike and crashing directly onto the pavement.

Investing in a high-quality, properly-fitted bicycle helmet is worth every penny. This simple piece of equipment can dramatically reduce the risk of a catastrophic head injury and even save your life in the event of an accident. While no safety gear is 100% effective, a helmet provides an essential first line of defense against the dangers of common bicycle injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

While head injuries can range in severity, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most devastating and life-altering. A TBI occurs when the force of a crash is strong enough to move the brain inside the skull, which can result in bruising, tearing, and other catastrophic damage.

The effects of a TBI can be profound and long-lasting, impacting a person’s cognition, motor skills, emotions, and overall quality of life. Survivors often require extensive rehabilitation and may never fully recover their pre-accident capabilities.

If you or a loved one have experienced a traumatic brain injury from a bicycle accident, it’s critical to seek immediate medical attention and consult an experienced bicycle accident attorney. They can help you navigate the complex legal landscape and seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Facial Injuries

Facial injuries are also common for cyclists involved in accidents. Impacts can result in painful and disfiguring injuries such as broken noses, shattered orbital bones, and broken or damaged teeth. These types of injuries don’t just cause physical pain — they can also have long-lasting emotional and psychological consequences. Victims may struggle with self-esteem, social anxiety, and other mental health challenges.

If you do find yourself in this unfortunate situation, working with a skilled bike injury lawyer can help ensure you receive the medical care and compensation you need to heal and recover.

Broken Bones

The force of a bicycle accident can easily result in fractured bones, from the arms and legs to the ribs, etc. These painful injuries often require extensive treatment, including casting, surgery, and prolonged physical therapy. Recovery can be both physically and financially draining.

We’ve already covered the importance of safety gear, but situational awareness is equally crucial. If the force of impact is strong enough, even safety gear may fail to protect you from serious injuries. Keep an eye out for the cars in your vicinity, and be especially careful near intersections, driveways, and other areas where a vehicle may not see you until it’s too late.

Chest Injuries

Chest injuries, which may include broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and internal organ damage, require immediate medical attention and can potentially have long-lasting and life-threatening consequences.

Protective gear like padded jackets can help mitigate the risk, but serious trauma is always a possibility in a bicycle accident. If you or a loved one have experienced a chest injury from a cycling incident, consulting a skilled bicycle accident attorney should be a top priority. They can help you pursue compensation for all your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Road rash, sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries are probably the most common bicycle injuries in Florida. While these types of injuries may not be as dramatic as broken bones or head trauma, they can still be excruciatingly painful and disruptive to daily life.

Cyclists who take a spill often suffer road rash — a painful abrasion caused by skin grinding against pavement. Sprains and strains to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments can also occur, leading to limited mobility and ongoing discomfort.

Back Injuries

The impact of a bicycle accident can also lead to debilitating back injuries, including herniated discs, spinal cord damage, and incessant pain. These types of injuries can have a profound and lasting impact on a person’s quality of life, making even basic movements and activities incredibly difficult.

Back injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, physical therapy, and long-term pain management. The costs associated with these injuries can become overwhelming, and in some cases even lead to financial ruin. If you’ve suffered a back injury in a bicycle accident, it’s imperative that you contact an experienced Hollywood, FL personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Looking for an Experienced Bicycle Accident Attorney? Let Cohen & Cohen Law Be the Experience You Need and the Representation You Can Trust 

At Cohen and Cohen Law, we understand the overwhelming pain and emotions that follow a bicycle injury. With over 50 years of experience helping injured Floridians seek justice and financial compensation, we are committed to fighting tirelessly on your behalf to hold responsible parties accountable and secure the resources your family needs to move forward. Call us at (954) 983-7100 or complete our online form to schedule a free consultation. 

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The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

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(954) 983-7100
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