Each year around 800 bicyclists are killed and 500,000 are hospitalized across America. More than 75% of those deaths involve injury to the head and face. However, wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%.
In order to reach this high percentage of protection the helmet must fit properly and be well maintained.
Proper Fit
If your helmet does not fit properly it can shift from your head during a collision, reducing its ability to protect you.
- Your helmet should fit snug with no wiggle room. Some helmets have removable padding or a fit ring that can be adjusted to ensure a good fit.
- It shouldn’t sit too high or too low on your head; the front should be about one inch above your eyebrows and the back should not touch the top of your neck.
- The chin strap should be centered and fit snug enough that no more than two fingers fit between the chin and the strap. Once the strap is tightened the helmet should not wiggle in any direction.
Maintenance
- Be sure to check your helmet or the helmet of your child before getting on your bike. Never wear or let someone else wear a helmet that is cracked, broke, or missing any parts.
- Avoid storing your helmet in your vehicle. In order to ensure its durability, the helmet should be stored somewhere with a fair climate away from direct sunlight.
- If your helmet has experienced an impact, replace it. Even if you cannot physically see damage, helmets are designed to endure one serious impact. Whether you can see it or not, that impact slightly crushes the foam inside, affecting its ability to protect your head from future accidents.
When purchasing be sure that it is certified. Look for a small sticker on the inside that reads CPSC, ASTM, or Snell. This ensures that it is designed to protect your head in the event of an impact.
Along with wearing a helmet, bike riders should always remain on alert and follow all rules of the road. Bicyclists are at an increased risk of injury in an accident, and distraction is a major factor in that, whether it be from the cyclist or the motorists they’re sharing the road with.
Contact us today if you or someone you know has been injured on a bicycle due to someone else’s negligence. Our experienced attorneys at McCoy, Hiestand & Smith are here to help you through this time of tragedy and work to get compensation to cover medical bills and other damages.
