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The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) observes Brain Injury Awareness Month every March to raise awareness and advocate for brain injury causes. BIAA reports that, annually, at least 2.8 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Every three non-fatal bicyclist accidents result in acquired brain injuries (ABIs), causing emergency rooms to treat 80,000 cycling-related head injuries each year, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

BIAA defines an ABI as a brain injury that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or induced by birth trauma. It is a type of brain injury that occurs after birth. There are two types of ABI: non-traumatic and traumatic.

• Non-traumatic brain injuries can result from an illness, oxygen deprivation, metabolic disorders, aneurysms, cardiac arrest, near-drowning experiences, etc. In other words, any injury to the brain that is not caused by an external physical force to the head, according to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
• The Mayo Clinic says a TBI usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. If the brain injury is mild, it may temporarily affect the brain cells. When traumatic brain injuries occur, they can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding, and other physical damage to the brain. These injuries can result in long-term complications or death.

The American Journal of Surgery reports that more than 50 percent of all bicyclists have suffered a TBI after a bike accident. The chances of incurring a TBI increase dramatically when a bicyclist rides at night or rides in urban areas where there is heavy traffic.

Fort Myers Brain Injury Attorney Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. successfully handles these complex traumatic brain injury cases when bicyclists are injured because of the negligence of another.

Symptoms: There are many symptoms that vary depending on a particular accident. Attorney Spivey urges injured bicyclists to seek medical attention if they are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Forgetfulness
• Not thinking clearly
• Lethargy or lack of energy
• Irregular sleep patterns
• Trouble falling asleep
• Unexplained sadness
• Unexplained depression
• Unexplained anxiety
• Easily angered, upset, or annoyed
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Persistent headaches
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to noise
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness or balance problems 

When bicyclists suffer brain damage, they may be entitled to compensation for such things as medical expenses, physical and cognitive rehabilitation, the loss of the quality of life, compensation for future damages, along with any damages incurred at the time of a personal injury claim.

Florida’s Helmet Law: According to Florida law Chapter 316 Section 2065, “A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and is fastened securely upon the passenger’s head by a strap and that meets the federal safety standard for bicycle helmets.” The lack of wearing a helmet can have some impact on a personal injury lawsuit, but it cannot be used to give a defendant the upper hand in a case. Florida specifically prohibits this tactic.

Florida Statute of Limitations: Generally, Florida statute 95.11 states that an injured person has four years from the date of his/her injury to file a personal injury claim. However, Fort Myers Brain Injury Attorney Randall Spivey urges injured victims to contact his office immediately after seeking medical attention. This is important because memories fade, and evidence may be lost.

Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. represents people involved in numerous types of personal injury and wrongful death accidents throughout the state of Florida. All of the firm’s clients have unique personal injury cases, and the firm provides personal contact and communication along with aggressive representation.

“Should you or a loved one be injured in a bike accident, please contact me at 239.337.7483, toll-free at 1.888.477.4839, or online at SpiveyLaw.com,” said Attorney Spivey.