The consequences of bicycle accidents

Whether due to contributory negligence or not, insurance experts are seeing not only an increase in bicycle and e-bike accidents, but also an increase in the severity of the resulting injuries. Cyclists are often affected primarily in the shoulders, arms, and legs. According to data from the German Society for Trauma Surgery from 2016, injuries to these areas of the body are particularly common in bicycle accidents, accounting for 60 percent of all injuries. The types of injuries range from superficial damage such as minor abrasions, bruises, and contusions to more serious injuries such as fractures of the wrists, forearms, and legs, as well as pelvic fractures, especially in older people.

The reasons for this are simple: when a person falls, they reflexively break their fall with their limbs, which often leads to injuries to the aforementioned parts of the body. There is little protection possible here, and although fractures do occur, they are rarely life-threatening. In serious or fatal accidents, however, head injuries are the most common and most serious injuries. This is precisely the argument repeatedly put forward by proponents of compulsory helmet use, because although helmets do not prevent accidents, they do prevent serious injuries.

Cyclists more vulnerable than pedestrians, children less vulnerable than older people

The risk of suffering a serious head injury in a collision with a car is much higher for cyclists than for pedestrians. Cyclists often travel at higher speeds, which increases the risk of serious injury in accidents. Interestingly, however, the risk of children on bicycles suffering serious head injuries in a car accident is lower than for adults. The reason for this is probably that children usually collide with the softer hood of a car in an accident rather than the windshield, which can reduce the severity of injuries. Nevertheless, it is important that children always wear a suitable helmet when cycling to minimize the risk factors.

Tip: Whether you're looking for a brightly designed helmet for toddlers, a stylish bike helmet for teenagers, or a special NTA helmet for S-pedelecs and similar bikes, you'll find the right helmet model for every age and every need in the ABUS range.

What can you do to increase your safety when cycling?

Unfortunately, unlike cars, humans do not have a crumple zone, and complete bicycle safety is not possible in road traffic.

In a bicycle accident, the human body always hits a hard surface, whether it is the road or other vehicles. Apart from bicycle helmets, there are hardly any widespread safety standards or suitable safety equipment for cyclists in road and bicycle traffic. Bicycle accidents can only be avoided by increased caution on the part of all road users. Wearing a bicycle helmet does not prevent accidents, but it significantly reduces the risk of serious head injuries. In addition, you should follow these four tips:

• Crossing hazards: Cyclists have no crumple zone and are often difficult for motorized road users to see, especially at intersections. There is a risk that cyclists will be overlooked by truck drivers turning, particularly due to blind spots. An important rule for cyclists is therefore to keep a safe distance from large vehicles.
• Maintain safe distances: Cyclists should keep a sufficient distance from the right-hand edge of the road, ideally one meter from the sidewalk and one and a half meters from parked cars, to avoid collisions with suddenly opened doors (dooring). This distance creates a safety zone and prevents cars from overtaking too closely. Even if drivers seem impatient: in many cases, it is correct that they cannot overtake if the distances are maintained correctly.
• Use bike lanes: Whenever possible, you should ride on a bike lane for your own safety. If it is marked with an appropriate traffic sign, you are even required to use it. However, if the bike lane is blocked, in poor condition, or heavily littered, you may also use the road.
• Adapt your riding behavior: Cyclists should always observe the basic rules of the road, such as right of way rules and clearly signaling turning maneuvers. They should also always expect other road users to make mistakes, especially when turning right, as they sometimes fail to give way to cyclists. Increased speed is also one of the risk factors for accidents: thanks to e-bikes, cyclists are now traveling much faster than in the past, which many motorists still underestimate and therefore cause accidents. On the other hand, those who drive empathetically, attentively, and with foresight can greatly increase their own safety and that of others on the road.