5 Tips to Protect Yourself If You Lose Balance While Biking

You’re riding along thinking everything is fine and then you feel the wheel slip. With a jolt in your stomach, you can tell you’re losing your balance on the bicycle. While a lot of thoughts may run through your head, the fall only takes a few seconds. However, a lot of damage can occur in that short amount of time. If you’ve been injured in an accident that was caused by someone else, you may be able to take legal action. Bey & Associates can help you get the justice you deserve.

Many bicyclists sustain injuries because of negligence. Drivers may not notice them or could be unfamiliar with sharing the road with bicyclists. No matter what the reason, their actions caused your injuries. We’ll do everything we can to get you compensation so you can recover in peace.

Before learning more about how we may be able to help you, let’s take a look at what bicyclists can do to possibly reduce or prevent injuries in a fall.

How Can You Prepare for Losing Balance on a Bike?

While you cannot stop an accident, you may be able to take measures to reduce the severity of your injuries. Here are some tips on what to do if you’re falling off your bike.

• Use Protective Gear. Before going out on your bike, you can take many preventative measures to protect your body in the event of a crash. You should always wear a helmet to protect your head. You may also consider wearing padding along your elbows and knees. Wearing long-sleeved clothing can also work as a layer between the road and your skin. Gloves with padding may also help protect your hands in a fall.
• Look at Your Route. Plan out your route beforehand. Does it have space for you to ride comfortably and is the road consistent? Roads that change to gravel or are riddled with potholes could make you lose your balance. Even if you ride the same route, always keep an eye out for debris or other hazards on the road that could throw you off your bike.
• Don’t Brace the Fall with Your Hands. When you’re falling, your first instinct may be to catch yourself with your hands. However, this often leads to severe injuries. You can sprain your wrist and can also break your collarbone.
• Learn Falling Techniques. There are several ways you may fall off your bike, each of which has its own falling technique to reduce your injuries. If you’re falling over your handlebars, try to tuck and roll. You can use your arms to protect your face. If you’re falling to the side, remember to not hold out an arm. Instead, try to fall on the back of your shoulder. Your shoulder and the back of your body will absorb the impact instead of your arm. Before you make impact in any crash, try to make your body go limp. While this is easier said than done, tensing before impact makes it more likely that you’ll sustain an injury.
• Be Visible. After a fall, you may be in the way of traffic. If other drivers can see you, they can take measures to stop or avoid you. When you’re about to go for a ride, consider wearing bright, reflective clothing. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends a white front light and red rear light as well as reflectors on your bike to add visibility at night. If you’re riding in the road and you’re at an intersection, make sure you’re visible at the red light.

When you’re an avid bicycle rider, you may experience a few falls. But your preparations beforehand could be the difference between a few scrapes or a broken bone.

However, no matter how many safety precautions you take, a negligent driver could cause life-threatening injuries. If this has happened to you or a loved one, having trusted representation at your side is the best way to get the help you need.

Bey & Associates Can Help You Get Justice

When you’re injured in an accident, your life can be put on hold. A bicycle accident can result in injuries that require intense medical care. While you’re healing, you may be worrying about paying medical bills. Our lawyers will do everything possible to win you a fair settlement so you will be able to cover the financial losses of the accident. Get in touch with our office in Atlanta today. We’ll find the best way for you to move forward.