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Broken Bone Injuries Commonly Suffered by Seattle Bike Riders

On Behalf of | Jul 25, 2016 | Bicycle Accident

By Pendergast Law on July 25, 2016

Bicycling is a cost-efficient, environmentally friendly, and healthy way to get where you need to go in Seattle. Though people are encouraged to continue utilizing their bike as a mode of transportation whenever possible, it’s also understood that cycling through the streets and alongside motorists comes with its risks. Because of hazardous road conditions and negligent drivers, bike riders often find themselves in dangerous situations that result in injury.

Whether a cyclist collides with a vehicle, encounters a pot hole, or another incident occurs that causes them to be thrown from their bike, it’s common for broken bones to be suffered. Depending on the circumstances, this kind of personal injury may permit the victim to seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Broken Bones and Seattle Bike Riders

Any part of the body that has been left exposed is susceptible to experiencing a broken bone when a bike rider is in an accident. However, there are some areas that are more vulnerable than others, such as:

  • Arms
  • Collarbone
  • Hands & Wrists
  • Skull
  • Legs
  • Back
  • Face
  • Pelvis

Where broken bones transpire will be contingent upon how the cyclist lands, if they try to break their fall, and if a car is involved, where exactly they were hit.

Factors That Impact the Severity of Broken Bones

It’s rare to be thrown from a bicycle and not sustain an injury of some nature, but whether bones are broken and how severely will depend on a number of factors. Mainly, these determinants include the force and manner in which the impact occurred and if a helmet or other protective gear was being worn at the time.

Different Types of Bone Fractures

There are different types of fractures that will also determine how bad an injury is and what the healing process will look like. Here are the different types of bone fractures:

  • Simple fracture: A simple fracture is a bone broken in only one spot without puncturing the skin.
  • Compound fracture: This fracture is a broken bone that has punctured through the skin, causing an open wound.
  • Displacement fracture: When a bone break is displaced, the ends have com apart and are unaligned with their normal positions.
  • Comminuted fracture: Comminuted fractures mean the bone has shattered into two or more pieces.

The Seattle bike accident lawyers at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. are dedicated to helping cyclists and their families recover restitution for broken bone injuries. If the careless actions of someone else have left you or a loved one in need of counsel, it’s time to get legal representation for your case. Contact us today at 888-539-9211.