Written by Parnall Law Firm reviewed by Bert Parnall Bicycle Accidents BlogPersonal Injury Blog
Owner/CEO at Parnall Law Firm
Most bicyclists know that wearing a helmet is the best way to prevent serious injury in an accident. Bicyclists are among the most vulnerable road users because they are not protected in the event of a collision like motorists. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports more than 1,000 cyclists are killed in traffic crashes in the United States each year, and more than 130,000 are injured nationwide. The New Mexico Department of Transportation reports 266 cyclists were involved in traffic accidents statewide in one recent year.
Studies show that helmets save lives and prevent severe head injuries. Here, the legal team at Parnall Law explains why helmets are effective and how you can stay safe while cycling in New Mexico.
The primary function of a bicycle helmet is to absorb the force of a blow to the head. If a cyclist wearing a helmet is in a crash, the helmet will absorb the force from the impact, preventing the cyclist from suffering a significant head injury. A cyclist who is not wearing a helmet during a collision is likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries can be fatal and often lead to serious medical conditions like paralysis, memory problems, seizures, and coma.
A recent meta-analysis of studies on helmet effectiveness over nearly 30 years shows that:
A separate study found that cyclists who wore helmets were 95 percent less likely to be diagnosed with a head injury after an accident.
Here are a few tips for staying safe while riding your bicycle in New Mexico:
While wearing a helmet may save your life in a crash, it cannot prevent accidents from happening in the first place. Contact Parnall Law for a free consultation if you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in New Mexico. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and other losses, and we can help fight for it.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Bertrand Russell Parnall who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.