Common Injuries in a DC Bicycle Accident
Common injuries in a DC bicycle accident range from soft tissue injuries and soreness to brutal head injuries that leave a lasting impact on your mental and physical health. Unfortunately, even low-speed accidents can result in severe injury. In our 70 years of practice handling bicycle accident cases, we have seen the most common injuries claimants suffer due to negligent drivers in the District. While the most common injury in the typical car accident case tends to be a soft tissue injury, bicycle accident cases, albeit less frequent, tend to have more serious injuries. When you get into a bad bike crash, speaking to a DC bicycle accident lawyer is critical. There are steps you should take to preserve your legal rights.
Moreover, depending on the severity of your injury, time-sensitive options may increase your case’s value. Whether on a Lime Bike, Capital Bikeshare bicycle, or even an electric scooter, liability in an accident with a car tends to stay the same. The instance where you may run into trouble in terms of finding a source of recovery is when you get into an accident with a pedestrian. While you can ride your bike on sidewalks in most of DC, you have a duty to yield to pedestrians. A pedestrian may still be responsible for your accident, though it is less common. The issue with that case is there is likely no source of recovery as neither party has insurance. Nevertheless, it is always worth discussing your options with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer to discuss your common injuries.
Head and Brain Injuries: The Most Serious Bicycle Accident Risk
Tragically, head and brain injuries are more common in bicycle accidents than in car and truck accidents. Of course, wearing a helmet can help mitigate the risk of these injuries. But without a helmet, almost no bicycle offers a seatbelt. Thus, if you are in a bicycle accident, you probably will be thrown from the bicycle. How you land tells a lot about the common injuries you will suffer in a DC bicycle accident. If you land on your head, your injuries can be life-threatening. In this case, it is essential to seek out medical treatment immediately. We have seen accident victims suffer mild concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and severe brain damage. The consequences of a head injury can include cognitive impairment, memory loss, difficulties with motor skills, and emotional changes, all of which may require long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Victims might face challenges in resuming their daily lives, returning to work, or engaging in activities they once enjoyed. Brain injuries have dramatic effects on compensation in a bicycle accident case. While common bicycle injuries include head and brain injuries, these injuries are anything but ordinary. The cost of medical care for a brain injury can be substantial. If you lose motor skills, you may require permanent nursing care. Undoubtedly, this can be very expensive. Fortunately, so long as there is sufficient insurance coverage, you can recover all future medical expenses related to your brain injury. If this case goes to trial, hiring the necessary expert witnesses to testify to your future medical expenses would be relatively expensive, but these cases often settle.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis from Bicycle Crashes

A spinal cord injury can lead to paralysis, making it potentially as debilitating of an injury as a brain injury. The effects of a spinal cord injury can range from herniated discs and back pain to complete paralysis. In cases of partial or total paralysis, the emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming. This falls under your claim’s pain and suffering, or general damages, portion. There is an argument that you may suffer less emotionally if you have a serious brain injury because you cannot process the emotions. This is not the case with a spinal cord injury, meaning there may be more compensation available to spinal cord accident victims of bike accidents. This is not to say that brain injury victims do not get sympathy from a jury because they absolutely do. Rather, this is the defense that the defendant often presents.
Broken Bones and Fractures from Bicycle Collisions
Broken bones and fractures are common injuries in bicycle accidents. When you are thrown off your bicycle in an accident, it is natural to brace yourself for impact. Unfortunately, this can lead to fractures in the wrists, arms, or collarbones. Additionally, legs, ribs, and hips are frequently broken in more serious accidents, especially if the cyclist is directly hit by a car or falls at a high speed. However, unlike a brain injury, you will probably not require future medical expenses. At the most, you will require rehabilitation that can be completed before the case is fully resolved. Additionally, you may have a claim for lost wages because of your accident. A broken bone may restrict your ability to earn an income, particularly if you work a job that requires any kind of physical labor.
This economic damage is compensable. However, you are responsible for mitigating your damages to some extent. Thus, you should consult with a DC bicycle accident lawyer if you break bones or suffer other common injuries in a DC bicycle accident.
Soft Tissue Injuries: Cuts, Bruises, and Ligament Damage
This is the most common injury in a DC bicycle accident. This is good because it is also the least severe and life-impacting. A soft tissue injury can include cuts, bruises, and ligament damage. While not as severe as a spinal cord injury or a brain injury, it still can have long-term impacts on your well-being. For example, if you injure your neck or back to the point of soreness in a bike accident, while this does not show up on the x-rays and thus is less tangible and persuasive to a jury, it still can nag you for decades to come. If you do not have soreness in your back or neck, you probably know at least three people who do. This is a hindrance to your quality of life that deserves compensation.
Speak to an experienced DC bicycle accident lawyer today to discuss what options may be available to you.
Long-Term Effects of Bicycle Accident Injuries
- Chronic Pain: Pain from broken bones, soft tissue damage, or spinal cord injuries.
- Limited Mobility: Difficulty moving due to fractures, joint damage, or ligament injuries.
- Cognitive Impairments: Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, or personality changes from TBIs.
- Emotional Trauma: Conditions like depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the accident.
- Permanent Disability: Paralysis or loss of function in limbs.
- Reduced Quality of Life: Difficulty performing daily activities or enjoying your favorite hobbies.
- Financial Strain: Ongoing medical expenses, therapy costs, and wage loss from an inability to work.
- Need for Long-Term Care: Requiring assistance with daily activities, rehabilitation, or mobility aids due to severe injuries.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Permanent marks or altered appearance from cuts, road rash, or surgeries.
- Social Isolation: A sense of isolation or withdrawal from social activities due to physical limitations or emotional distress.
Contact a DC Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
Call Gelb & Gelb, P.C. today for a free consultation and case evaluation. We will walk you through the steps and start you on the road to recovery.
