Did you know that U.S. Bicycle Route 21 runs through Kentucky? This is an officially designated bike route that stretches across 1,044 miles between Atlanta and Cleveland. The Kentucky portion is around 250 miles, snaking through 10 counties between Middlesboro and Maysville. Taking on that kind of bike trip would be a major undertaking.
Most Kentucky cyclists take advantage of the many local bike trails. They also ride on their bikes to work or school. While there are many health and environmental benefits to cycling, it is also an activity that is not without risks. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1,000 bicyclists are killed, and 130,000 more are injured in crashes across the country every year.
Cyclists are extremely cautious when sharing the road with vehicles. Unfortunately, no amount of precautions can prevent an accident from occurring that is caused by a negligent driver. In nearly every bike accident, the cyclist is going to end up hitting the road. That can lead to devastating injuries that require a lot of treatment and recovery time.
A cyclist who gets into this type of accident will benefit from speaking with an experienced bicycle crash attorney in Louisville. The attorneys at McCoy & Hiestand, PLC can provide the kind of legal counsel to help with the initial insurance claim filing or a civil lawsuit if needed.
Kentucky Bike Helmet Laws
One of the ways to reduce the risk of a serious injury while biking is to wear a helmet. The Cleveland Clinic found the following analysis:
“Reduces serious head injuries by 60%.
Reduces traumatic brain injury by 53%.
Reduces the number of cyclists killed or seriously injured by 34%.”
Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of severe injury. However, there’s no law in Louisville that requires cyclists to wear a helmet, with one exception: anyone riding a bike under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.
The helmet must fit properly and be well maintained to achieve this protection.
Proper Fit
If your helmet doesn’t fit properly, it may shift on your head during a collision, reducing its ability to protect you.
- Your helmet should fit snugly with no wiggle room. Some helmets have removable padding or an adjustable fitting ring 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 or your child’s helmet before getting on your bike. Never wear a helmet that’s cracked, broken, or missing parts.
- Avoid storing your helmet in your vehicle. The helmet should be stored in a fair climate away from direct sunlight to ensure its durability.
- 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 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, whether 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 bicycle accident attorneys at McCoy & Hiestand, PLC, are here to help you through this difficult time and seek the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and other damages.
