Recovery and Rehabilitation After a Bicycle Accident

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Injuries Sustained in a Bicycle Accident?

Bikes are a popular form of transportation, but cyclists are often exposed to dangerous conditions on the road. Negligent motorists, poor road conditions, and defective or missing road signs and traffic lights often cause severe injuries to the victims. A bike accident can have devastating consequences, so you shouldn’t take the injuries lightly.

Personal injury lawyers in Fresno often encounter bicycle accident victims who sustain various types of injuries after an accident. Recovering from the injuries can take a toll on the victim, given the psychological, physical, and financial aspects of the injuries.

Types of Injuries from Bicycle Accidents and Their Expected Recovery Time

Fresno bicycle accident lawyers explain that the recovery period often depends on the type and severity of the injuries and the kind of medical care accorded to the victim. Some common bicycle accident injuries are as follows:

• Bruises: They may occur on the arms, thighs, shins, legs, and torso.
• Road rash: You could sustain injuries on the knees, elbows, palms, shoulders, or hips.
• Sprains and strains: They could affect the ankles, knees, wrists, and shoulders.
• Minor fractures: You could break some bones in the hands and wrists.
• Major fractures: They commonly occur on the arms, legs, ankles, feet, or hands.
• Concussions: They affect the head and range from mild to severe.
• Spinal cord injuries: A single slipped or ruptured disk may heal more quickly, while it could be several months or years before you recover from more severe spinal cord injuries. Depending on the location of the injury, you could suffer permanent disability.

The cost of treating these injuries can quickly escalate into several thousand dollars, especially if the injuries are severe and require long-term care. Skilled Fresno bicycle accident lawyers can help you file a compensation claim from the at-fault party.

How Do I Deal with Injuries Sustained in a Bike Accident?

Even if you think your bicycle accident was minor, ensure you get a proper medical evaluation by a qualified physician. You may have sustained severe injuries and not realize it immediately.

Symptoms may present days or weeks later when your condition is already worse than it would have been if you got immediate medical attention.

For example, if you hit your head against a hard surface after falling off your bike, your brain could bleed even without you knowing it. You could develop signs such as confusion, loss of consciousness, and vision changes. If your helmet cracked in the accident, it could indicate you were involved in a severe accident.

Checking Yourself for Injuries

California personal injury lawyers recommend checking the following after an accident, even if you don’t feel like anything is wrong:

• Breathe: Your ribs could break from the impact of the fall or collision, or you could sustain a punctured lung. Take a deep breath, and rush to the emergency room immediately if you feel pain while breathing.
• Bleeding: Bleeding can be external and internal. Check for distended or firm areas to determine a potential internal bleeding situation. Apply pressure on the area if you have external bleeding and seek immediate medical care for further assistance.
• Spine and neck: Spine and neck injuries could be serious, and if you believe your spine has been hurt in the accident, you may want to wait for emergency medical care to arrive. Potential signs of neck injuries are tingling, numbness, and inability to move your toes and fingers. Don’t risk moving, as you could further complicate the injury.
• Stomach check: If you hit the handlebars due to the impact of the collision, the impact could have caused damage to internal organs and soft tissues in the stomach. Use your hands and palpate the abdomen to check for sore areas. A distended area could indicate internal bleeding. Seek immediate medical care.
• Broken bones: Try moving your extremities to determine if you have a broken or fractured bone. You’ll feel a shooting pain and may not be able to move without pain if a bone is broken.

Once you determine the extent of your injuries through a doctor’s report, let your Fresno bicycle accident lawyers know to start compiling a report that supports your compensation claim.

Do I Need Physical Therapy After a Bicycle Accident?

Whether you require physical therapy after a bicycle accident depends on various factors. Some injuries may heal in a few weeks with enough rest, ice compression, and medication. Others may require ongoing medication and physical therapy over weeks and, sometimes, months to alleviate pain and enable you to recover sooner.

Once your physician assesses your condition, they can advise if you need physical therapy and how long it will take based on the following:

The Type of Injury

The type of injury and how long you take to recover are crucial factors that your doctor will consider in determining whether you need physical therapy. Examples are the following:

• Whiplash is a common injury sustained in bicycle accidents. Some people take about three weeks to recover fully, but if your case is severe, you may require physical therapy.
• Soft tissue injuries take about 6 to 8 weeks of physical therapy to heal.
• Broken bones that take more than 8 weeks to heal may require physical therapy to speed up healing, which extends the time it takes to recover.

Previous Injuries Sustained

If you have been injured before, it could determine whether and how long you need physical therapy. For example, you could have scar tissue that slows healing or the previous injury may not be fully healed. Your therapist will address the scar tissue and any lingering injuries as part of the overall treatment plan, which can extend your treatment and recovery period.

Treatment Goals

The treatment goals will also affect whether you need physical therapy and how long it will take. Your therapist will help you set goals, such as restoring your range of motion to a certain level or increasing your strength to a certain amount. The further you are from achieving your goals, the more time you might spend in therapy.

Who Will Cater to My Treatment Costs or Injuries Sustained in a Bicycle Accident?

Understandably, you may worry about how to meet your treatment and rehabilitation costs. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay the expenses out of pocket if the accident was due to someone’s negligence. Skilled Fresno bicycle accident attorneys can help you establish who was at fault for the accident and hold them liable for your injuries.

Once they determine liability, they can help you file a compensation claim for a settlement amount that adequately covers the following damages:

• Past and future medical bills
• Emergency treatment costs
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Assistive medical device costs
• Nursing facility or home care costs
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering

The actual settlement amount you can get depends on various factors and specific circumstances of your case. Your bicycle accident attorneys and insurance adjusters will evaluate factors such as the extent of the injuries, the value of property damaged in the crash, your medical costs, and the availability of resources to compensate you.

How Can I Deal with the Emotional Trauma of a Bicycle Accident?

Trauma includes the physical and psychological injuries that result from events that cause significant distress, such as a bicycle accident. The psychological impact of a traumatic event can have long-lasting consequences such as depression, anxiety disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

These can further be compounded by the financial stress of treating the injuries. If you find yourself constantly dealing with these issues during your recovery journey, personal injury attorneys recommend doing the following to help you cope:

Practice Self-Care

Self-care is crucial when recovering from a traumatic event such as a bicycle accident. Take time to rest and engage in activities that help you relax and lift your moods. Ensure you also get enough sleep, manage stress levels through meditation or exercise, and eat nutritious foods.

Create a Support System

Your family members can be a great source of emotional support during your recovery journey. They are closest to you and have your best interests in mind, so they can offer emotional support to help you cope. Let them know how they can assist to make life easier for you.

Your bicycle accident lawyers in California can also provide legal support during your recovery. They can handle all the legal matters of your case, shielding you from the back and forth with insurance companies that could be out to frustrate you.

Seek Professional Help

Therapy is an effective tool to help you cope with emotional trauma after an accident. A skilled therapist can help bring out the deep-seated emotions that you may not be able to reveal to your loved ones.

They can help you deal with the emotions associated with the experience by providing healthy coping strategies to empower you. Attend your therapy sessions faithfully to get the most out of them.

Why Should I Retain a Bicycle Accident Attorney During the Recovery Journey?

Skilled bicycle accident lawyers play a crucial role in your recovery regarding your compensation claim. They have the skills and resources to save you a lot of frustration when dealing with the at-fault party or their insurance company. They can do the following as you focus on your healing and recovery:

• Advise you from a legal perspective: Personal injury attorneys know all the applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances at the local, state, and federal levels. They can make it easier to navigate the legal procedures, help you understand your options, and advise you about the progress of your case at each stage.
• Investigate the case and collect the relevant evidence: Your lawyer will handle the complex tasks of investigating the events leading to the accident, determining fault, and creating a solid compensation claim on your behalf.
• Handle insurance providers: Lawyers know how to avoid common pitfalls when dealing with insurance companies. They can protect you from mistakes such as accepting a lowball offer or admitting fault for the accident. They can also fight for the most suitable compensation amount.
• Determine a fair settlement amount: The legal team will evaluate the extent of your economic and non-economic damages to ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
• Legal representation: If negotiations with the insurance providers don’t yield the desired outcome, your lawyers can take the case to trial. They can argue your case before a judge, prove why you deserve compensation, and fight for the maximum amount you deserve.

Personal injury cases can be exhausting and more challenging when you don’t understand your rights or what you deserve. Let aggressive Fresno bicycle accident attorneys represent you for the most favorable outcome.

An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Providing Legal Support as You Recover After a Bicycle Accident

Sustaining injuries after a bicycle accident can be stressful. The injuries may be so severe that they put you on a long recovery journey. You may experience periods of hopelessness and frustration, especially if you’re unable to do the things you did before the accident. However, knowing what to do, as explained above, can help you cope.

Most importantly, retain skilled bicycle accident attorneys from a reputable law firm for legal support. They can ensure you receive adequate compensation to help you meet your rehabilitation and living costs as you work on rebuilding your life. The lawyers at Nunes Law Inc. are ready and willing to help. Call us at 559-702-5124 to schedule a FREE consultation.