Wear the Helmet - 85% reduction in Head injuries

Posted by Daniel Clayton in Personal Injury

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, riding a bike without a helmet significantly increases a bicyclist’s risk of sustaining a head injury in the event of a crash. I have seen studies asserting that wearing a helmet can reduce head-injury chances by 85%. Of course, the most significant head injuries are those involving brain bleeds and skull fractures. Intracranial bleeds can cause death or catastrophic injuries.

In 2010, more than 600 people on bicycles were killed in collisions with motor vehicles across the country, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. At least 70 percent of the victims were not wearing helmets.

Other than motor vehicle accidents, bicycle injuries are linked to more childhood injuries than any other product.

Don’t Forget the Helmet!

If you are a bike rider – always wear a helmet. Tennessee does require those under the age of 16 to wear a helmet while riding a bike. (To view helmet laws listed by state, please visit www.iihs.org. This site also provides the statistics for cycling fatalities). Naturally, it is important to make sure the helmet fits properly. If you’re not sure if it fits, then ask a pro.

In Hermitage, I recommend The Bike Pedlar, owned by Kerry Roberts. (http://www.facebook.com/bikepedlar)

In Franklin, a great bicycle shop is MHB bike shop (http://macsharpethbikes.com). A couple of weeks ago, I bought a bike from them - and they were awesome!

Also, you might try Harpeth Bikes (http://harpethbikes.com). 

Tags: Bike Accidents, Personal Injury, Catastrophic Injuries

Give them Three Feet! - Bicycle Safety Laws in Tennessee

Posted by Daniel Clayton

While I was driving home Wednesday through Franklin, Tennessee, I came across multiple bicycle riders out near Arno Road.  I am somewhat jealous of bike riders – because that is a sport I would like to take up at some point in time.

The country roads around the area I live are prime places for the bike riders.  As a result, I have to be very diligent in making sure I am exercising care while driving.  Those bike riders have a right to be on those roads, and I fully support their right to be on the road.

I have had several friends who have been involved in serious bike accidents. Most bike accidents are not the fault of the bike rider, but by the automobile driver.

With the summer upon us, and more people riding bikes, I thought I would post some basic Tennessee bike law information.

three-feet law

In 2007, Tennessee passed a “three-feet” law, requiring automobiles to give cyclists three feet of space when passing them on highways. This became an issue as two men were killed in separate accidents on highways in the state in 2006.

Bicycles are considered vehicles just as automobiles are and, when necessary, may occupy an entire lane of traffic. Cars may not occupy the same lane of traffic if they cannot give the cyclist three feet of clearance space.

In 1994, Tennessee passed a law requiring the use of helmets for cyclists under the age of 16.

The Tennessee Department of Safety has a Bicycle/Pedestrian Program.  More information can be found on that website.

Read more at Trails.com: Bicycle Safety in Tennessee | Trails.com

Tags: Bike Accidents, Car Accidents