If you fall correctly when knocked off a bike, you will throw your hands out in front of you to brace your fall. Unfortunately, reaching out the hand often leads to a variety of hand injuries, shoulder injuries and collarbone problems. Here’s a look at some of the most common hand injuries that bicyclists may experience in a bicycle accident.
Broken Hand or/and Wrist
A broken hand or broken wrist is one of the most common bicycle hand injuries. According to the Mayo Clinic, these injuries are most common when people try to catch themselves during a fall by outwardly extending a hand. The hand or wrist can break in multiple locations, including throughout the fingers.
Breaks in this area include symptoms like the following.
- Severe pain
- Immobility
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Bruising
- Visible deformity
Treatment options may include this list.
- Immobilization therapy
- Prescription drugs
- Surgery
Superficial Hand Injuries
When a hand makes contact with the ground or another object, superficial—meaning that only the dermis is affected—hand injuries are likely.
These injuries can include this list.
- Lacerations
- Road rash or road burns
- Bruising
Sometimes, injuries will be severe enough to penetrate more than the outermost layer of skin alone. Many superficial hand injuries can be prevented by wearing cycling gloves.
Crush Injuries
Finally, crush injuries are the most severe hand injury type, and as the name implies, occur when the hand is broken during a collision. A crush injury often breaks multiple bones within the hand, and may do so beyond repair. When crush injuries are very severe, amputation may be required. Sometimes, the accident itself can result in immediate amputation of the hand or another limb.
What are my rights as an injured cyclist?
If you’re a cyclist in Washington State who has been involved in an accident, you should know that you have the right to compensation. The other driver’s car insurance may help to pay for injuries, or your car insurance may kick in to pay benefits depending upon the cause of your accident.
If your injuries are severe and filing a claim through the insurance company does not yield enough damages, you also have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
Understanding your compensation options after a bicycle crash can be overwhelming. To help you, Max Meyers Law PLLC would love to meet with you soon. Call to set up a free case evaluation at 425-399-7000 now.
