Bicycle Safety 101: Choosing the Right Bicycle Helmet for Your Child

July 4, 2018 | Bicycle Accidents

With the summer months firmly upon us, many children are biking to get to friend’s houses, the pool, or just to pass the time. While biking is certainly a healthy and enjoyable activity that many adults fondly remember from childhood themselves, it is important to remember that it also exposes kids to a risk of serious injury. Parents should take steps to makes sure that their children are as safe as possible when they ride, which includes making sure they have appropriate safety gear – the most important piece of which is a well-fitting, high-quality helmet.

Here are some tips on choosing the right bike helmet for your child provided by the Cleveland Clinic:

• Check the helmet for a Consumer Product Safety Commission sticker (CPSC). This indicates that the helmet meets mandatory safety standards that have been in place since 1999. The following labels indicate voluntary safety standards that are compliant with the standards set by the CPSC as well: ASTM, ANSI, and Snell.
• If you are considering a hand-me-down or used helmet, never use or purchase one that has cracks or has been involved in a crash.
• Make sure your child’s helmet fits correctly. Make sure it is snug yet comfortable. If you try and move the helmet up or down or from side to side, it should stay snug. When your child opens his or her mouth, he or she should feel the helmet pulling down. The helmet should rest low on the forehead and be level, and its bottom edge should be one or two finger widths above your child’s eyebrows. Finally, make sure your child can see and hear clearly by asking questions or asking him or her to perform some basic tasks.

If Your Child Is Injured in a Bicycle Accident, Call an Attorney Immediately

Unfortunately, children can sustain extremely serious injuries in bicycle accidents, even when they are wearing appropriate safety gear. These injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, serious broken bones, crush injuries, severe lacerations, and other injuries that can result in life-long complications. In the event of an accident, call an attorney immediately after your child’s condition is stabilized. A lawyer may be able you and your child obtain compensation for any damages you incurred, including the following:

• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Property damage
• Disfigurement
• Loss of future income

Remember, insurance companies will go to great lengths to minimize the amount they pay out, so it is imperative that victims and their parents retain qualified, experienced, and aggressive legal counsel.

Call Indiana Personal Injury Attorney Merry Fountain Today for a Free Consultation

Indianapolis bike accident lawyer Merry Fountain is a skilled injury advocate. If you are looking for a bicycle accident attorney 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.