Your biking helmet is the greatest tool you have to reduce head injuries. Unfortunately, a biking helmet can help you only so much.
An accident with a car could deal a lot more damage to you than, for example, falling off your bike and hitting your head. You may suffer the following kinds of head injuries after a biking accident with a vehicle:
1. Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries in any kind of accident, especially biking accidents. Whiplash occurs when the head is hit or struck, causing the head to whip around and putting pressure on the neck, shoulder muscles and spine. In most cases, victims of whiplash will experience some kind of dizziness, confusion, pain and nausea.
2. Concussion
Another common injury following a head wound is a concussion. Much like whiplash, a concussion occurs when the head is violently injured. As a result, the brain will rattle around, hitting the inner walls of the skull. This can cause the brain to release chemicals and suffer from bruises. Some concussions leave the victim with memory issues, confusion and sickness, while others may lose consciousness.
3. Brain bruising
If the brain is injured, it may suffer from a bruise. Unlike a bruise that would appear on an arm or leg, a brain bruise can lead to serious medical conditions. The bruise could swell and put pressure on the skull and injure even more brain tissue. In some cases, a brain bruise has damaged blood cells, causing the brain to bleed, which may lead to permanent injuries and mental problems.
In a biking accident, it’s important to know your legal rights so you can act fast and receive compensation for your injuries and losses.