Bicycle handlebars without grips can be lethal in a fall.
Falls bring more than one-half of the approximate 600,000 annual bicycle injuries seen by U.S. hospitals. Seventy percent involving males.
The data is collected by Emergency Rooms and reported to the Consumer Product Safety Commission via the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. This system plays a key role in accident and injury knowledge and prevention.
In a fall from a bicycle, the exposed ends of handlebars can impale a rider’s chest and abdomen. Our research shows that between 2000 and 2019, there have been six deaths by impalement and an estimated 2,000 emergency room visits associated with handlebar injuries. The most recent death was in 2018 and involved a six-year-old boy. Another two deaths in 2018 involved children.
Handlebars without grips are easily overlooked when conducting a safety inspection for mechanical issues such a loose axle nuts, derailers, drive chains and tire wear, but they’re just as important. It’s very dangerous if the handlebar ends are exposed, or the grips have come off, or if the ends are worn on the ends and the metal is beginning to show.
In addition to regular safety inspections of your bicycle, and make sure everyone has a properly fitted and certified helmets on for every ride. An Allianz Group study shows that more than 40% of all collisions of a bike and a car involve a severe head and brain injury. If a cyclist doesn’t wear a helmet at the time of the accident, the risk of suffering brain damage is twice as likely.
Contact Our Santa Clara Personal Injury Attorneys for Immediate Help
Alexander Law Group, LLP attorneys are available to answer questions and share our knowledge of the law and the results of our research and experience. Our goal as personal injury lawyers is to make a difference for our clients. Every day we deal with a range of health and safety issues that most people do not encounter until after an injury occurs. As safety lawyers we are committed to providing our clients and the public with information for safer and healthier living. Call 888-777-1776 or contact us online to schedule a consultation to see how we can help you.
