Do I Need to See a Doctor After a Bike Crash? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Riding a bike is an excellent form of transportation. It’s environmentally friendly, fun, affordable, and promotes physical fitness. However, like any method of transportation, bicycling can come with risks, especially due to the exposed nature of the vehicle compared to cars or trucks. Even the safest of bike riders can get into an accident from time to time. While helmets and safety gear can mitigate injuries, you’ll need to know what to do after a bike accident and what injuries warrant medical attention.

Neck, Back, or Head Trauma

If you have immediate or delayed pain in your neck, back, or head, specifically focusing on the spine or brain, you’re better off playing it safe by seeing a doctor. It may be a simple injury, but you don’t want to take risks near your spinal cord or brain. Even simple swelling can cause irreversible damage, and some injuries get worse with time or without treatment. Serious neck, back, or head injuries are more likely in bicycle accidents involving a motor vehicle. If a car struck you, it’s a good idea to seek medical care. In urban areas, such as Chicago or New York, car accidents involving cyclists are much more common. Cyclists are more likely to need to cross traffic or busy street intersections, and car drivers often experience road rage that can make accidents more likely. It’s even such a common occurrence that cyclists usually need to seek out a Chicago road rage bicycle accident lawyer. If you’re in a similar situation, consult with an attorney to know your rights and options; cyclists need road safety no matter where they’re operating a bike.

Severe Bleeding

When an injury occurs, blood will clot in order to prevent excessive bleeding. Deep wounds and injuries take longer to stop bleeding, and some require medical intervention. Severe bicycle accidents may cause these deeper wounds. You’ll want to get medical attention if a wound won’t stop bleeding even after pressure is applied. If injuries seem particularly severe or deep, you may need stitches—it’s best to get the wound cleaned and dressed by medical professionals.

Loss of Consciousness

If a bike accident causes you to black out, lose time, or faint, you need to get to an emergency room. Calling an ambulance is likely the best course of action. If your accident injures your head in any way, a concussion or traumatic brain injury can cause a loss of consciousness. You’ll want to get this treated and addressed right away.

Dizziness or Confusion

Similar to a loss of consciousness, concussions can cause you to feel dizzy, disoriented, or confused. If you experience any of these symptoms during or after a bike accident, heading to emergency or urgent care is highly recommended. Even if you have a minor concussion, you’ll want to rule out any concerns when it comes to head trauma.

Chest Pain or Trouble Breathing

If a bicycle accident is severe enough to cause trauma to the chest, you may be experiencing a broken rib, punctured lung, or even swelling of the heart. If it hurts to breathe, you have trouble catching your breath, or you’re experiencing chest pain, you will want to seek medical attention to rule out more severe internal injuries.

Difficulty Moving

If you can’t walk after your accident, there’s a high likelihood that you may have broken a bone, injured your spine, or strained a part of your body. Even if you can walk somewhat, you may need to have a bone set properly or a brace to encourage healing without issues. A doctor can provide imaging to determine if injuries require surgery or other interventions. You may also need to acquire braces, crutches, or other mobility aids.

Headaches That Don’t Improve

Headaches can be caused by many things, from lack of sleep to hunger. If you begin to experience headaches after a bike accident, you should be concerned. Head to the doctor to get image scans of your head to ensure there isn’t excess swelling, a concussion, or brain trauma. You may even experience a delayed headache reaction after an accident.

Intense Anxiety

Getting into any accident, even a mild one on a bicycle, can be traumatizing. If you’re having nightmares, paranoia, or intense fear getting back on the bike or in other situations, you may want to head to your doctor. It can be pretty easy to develop anxiety or PTSD after any kind of accident, and your doctor can help you with medical intervention.

Persistent Swelling

During a bike accident, you often receive a lot of wounds that may seem superficial at first. Road rash, knee gashes, or elbow scrapes can quickly become more of an issue when they become infected. Even if you clean a wound, you can pick up an infection easily afterwards. If you notice heat, redness, swelling, or discharge near any wound, especially if it worsens or won’t go away, you’ll need to head to the doctor for treatment.

Numbness or Tingling

When you feel numb or tingling after a bicycle accident, there’s likely been some damage to the nerve. While some nerve damage can go away, other types are more severe and can cause long-term problems. Physicians can help identify the cause and location of the nerve damage to increase your chances of a full recovery.

Conclusion

When it comes to accidents, especially on an exposed vehicle like a bicycle, you’ll want to play it safe and get checked out by a medical professional in most circumstances. If you’ve been hit by a motor vehicle, you’ll definitely want to seek medical care. Any severe bleeding, swelling, brain trauma, tingling, back pain, chest pain, or neck pain warrants a trip to a doctor or emergency room as well. Getting medical attention also establishes an official record of your treatment, which may come in handy during insurance claims or potential legal intervention. If you consult with an attorney, medical attention is a valuable piece of the puzzle. Most importantly, seeking medical care ensures a swift and safe recovery.