Women Cyclists: Select the Right Helmet

May 23, 2018 | Bicycle Accidents

Thousands of people in the Indianapolis area regularly ride bicycles as a means of transportation, exercise, or simply as a way to enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, every time you get on your bike, you expose yourself to a risk of serious injury—including serious head injuries like concussions and skull fractures. Always wear an appropriate bicycle helmet every time you ride. This is particularly true for women, who, according to recent research, are more adversely affected by concussions.

How to Choose the Right Helmet

Protecting yourself from a head injury involves much more than simply putting on any old helmet you find at the store. Consumer Reports provides the following tips to help you find the right helmet for you:

• The front edge of your helmet should only sit one inch above your eyebrows.
• With the straps fastened, push up on the front edge of the helmet to see if it moves. If it does, the straps are too loose.
• Rock the helmet from side to side. It should fit tight enough that moving will wrinkle the skin on your temples.
• Your hairstyle has the potential to change the way that your helmet fits, try the helmet on with your hair styled the way you plan to wear it when you ride.
• Open your mouth halfway with the chinstrap fastened. Your jaw should pull your helmet down on the top of your head.
• The back and front straps should make a “V” just in front of and below your ear.
• Hold the back your helmet and attempt to pull it over the top of your head. If the front slips downward, your back straps are too long.

Even the Best-Fitting Helmet Can’t Reduce Your Risk of Injury to Zero

Unfortunately, you can never completely eliminate your risk of injury when riding, even with the best-fitting and highest quality gear available. Bicycle accidents can cause a number of serious injuries, including:

• Broken bones
• Serious soft tissue injuries like lacerations and contusions
• Dislocations
• Crush injuries
• Amputations
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

If you are hurt in an accident, protect your legal rights. Undergo a thorough medical evaluation, even if you think your injuries will heal on their own. Doing so will result in the creation of a medical record that you can use as evidence to establish the extent and severity of your injuries, and that the accident in which you were involved caused them.

As soon as you receive medical treatment, call a personal injury lawyer with experience in bike accident cases. Waiting to start your claim can result the loss of evidence important to your case.

Call Indiana Bike Accident Attorney Merry Fountain Today for a Free Consultation

Indianapolis personal injury lawyer Merry Fountain is a skilled injury advocate. If you are looking for a bicycle accident lawyer in the greater Indy area—Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Westfield, Zionsville, Brownsburg, Avon, Kokomo, Lebanon … she’s here to help! Call her anytime at 1-888-242-HURT (4878), or simply click Tell Us About Your Case for a free consultation.