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Learning to ride a bicycle is one of the great moments in a child’s life, a milestone in their journey to becoming independent adults. While bicycling is a healthy activity that children can do one their own or with friends and family, it also has risks that need to be avoided. According to the Center for Disease Control, 59% of bicycle injuries that were treated in emergency rooms in 2001 were in children 15 years of age or younger. This accounts for almost 300,000 injuries a year in this age group.
The Chicago bicycle accident attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC know the feelings of anger and frustration many parents experience when there child is injured in a bike crash. When it comes to cases involving minors, our office has experience getting minor's the compensation they are entitled to for both past and future damages. We invite you to complete this on-line intake form for a free review of your child's bike accident case.
Motor Vehicle-Bike Accidents Involving Children
Although most injuries happen from a child falling from their bicycle, the more severe injuries are when a vehicle hits a child riding a bike. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2010 children 14 years of age or younger accounted for 18% of bicyclists involved in motor vehicle crashes. This resulted in over 9,000 injuries and 55 fatalities.
When a vehicle hits a child, it is not always at cut and dry to who is at fault. Although children are more likely to not know or obey the rules of the road, there is a certain amount of liability on the part of the driver of a vehicle to watch for pedestrians and bicyclists. The laws in different localities and states can leave room for interpretation on when a bicyclist is at fault and when the driver of the vehicle is to blame in a crash. It is always best to get legal advice if your child is hit while riding their bicycle, even if you think that the driver was not at fault.
Child Bicycle Accident Injuries
The scariest aspect of a bicycle accident involving a child is the possibility of a brain injury. Although lacerations, broken bones and many other injuries may be more frequent in a bicycle accident, the most common severe injury is one to the brain of the child.
According to the Brain Injury Association, traumatic brain injuries are the largest cause of death and disability among children in the U.S. Over a million children each year sustain some form of brain injury. The difficult issue with these young child brain injuries is that the affects are not always immediately apparent. A child can seem to recover quickly after a bicycle accident that involved a head injury. However, sometimes it can take years for the affect of that injury to become noticeable. Children with brain injuries can suffer from:
- Lower IQ or cognitive difficulties
- Behavioral problems from frontal cortex damage
- Attention or memory deficits
- Long-term emotional problems
Chicago Attorneys for Children Injured in Bike Accidents
We understand that having a child injured in a Chicago bicycle accident is a traumatic time for a family and that the well being of your child it your highest concern. However, adding the stress of financial strain will not do you or your child any good. It is important to know what your legal rights are concerning the financial compensation your child may be eligible to receive due to their accident.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are experienced personal injury attorneys that understand the complexities of a child bike accident case and we can help you get the financial help you need to ensure your child gets the best medical care. Call us first before discussing your case with the insurance company and let us give you a free consultation on what your options are.
Resources for children’s bicycle safety:
