How do Bicycle Helmets Protect the Head in an Accident?
If you ride a bike, you have probably worn a bicycle helmet. You may have even fallen off your bike once or twice. Head injuries resulting from a
bicycle accident are no joke and can result in serious debilitation or even death. With that being said, it is almost always a good idea to wear a bike helmet.
At first glance, a bicycle helmet might look commonplace. Take a closer look, however, and you will see that bike helmets are sophisticated apparatuses, with plenty of science and engineering behind their design.
The Structure of a Bicycle Helmet
A bicycle helmet usually consists of two main parts: a hard outer shell and a softer liner. The hard shell is meant to spread the area of impact should you fall and hit your head, thereby making it less likely that you will suffer a fractured skull or other serious head injury. The soft lining works to limit the impact by squeezing inward and absorbing the energy created by the impact. This method transmits less of the impact onto your head.
The
materials used to create a bike helmet are important. For instance, the outer shell should be made of fiberglass, hard plastic, or carbon fiber. Liners are usually composed of two types of foam. One is light and bouncy, meant to absorb lower-impact incidents. The second layer is a firmer foam, which is meant to absorb stronger.
Bicycle helmets are also designed to be aerodynamic so they will not slow the rider. Helmets should have plenty of ventilation holes to keep the rider from overheating.
Choosing a Bicycle Helmet
The type of bicycle helmet you buy may depend on the type of riding you do. For example, a road cyclist may not want to wear the same helmet as a BMX cyclist.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided some tips when purchasing a bicycle helmet.
- Choose the right size helmet for yourself or your child by measuring the person’s head prior to ensure a proper fit. Bike helmet size can vary between manufacturers; always check the fit before you buy.
- The bike helmet should have a snug fit all around and not have spaces between the foam and the bike rider’s head. If the helmet is too tight, it may cause headaches.
- Check the helmet for labels, such as a manufacturing date for recall purposes, and/or the U.S. Product Safety Commission (CPSC), meaning it was tested for safety and meets the federal safety standards.
The federal safety standards for bicycle helmets are a series of tests that the helmet endures to determine how it will hold up if involved in a bicycle accident. The tests involve placing the helmet on an instrumented head-form, turning it upside down, and dropping it on an anvil. The standards also specify the helmet coverage required, the strength of the chinstrap, and the stability on the head.
The benefits of wearing a helmet are undeniable and it is better to be safe than sorry. A good bike helmet may keep you safe and protect your head or reduce the severity of injury in the event of a collision or fall. Head injuries are serious and can even be fatal, so bicyclists should do anything possible to protect themselves.
Injured In A Bicycle Accident? Call William Mattar.
Head injuries caused from a bicycle accident can be serious and life-threatening. At William Mattar law offices, our injury attorneys can help you after your bike accident. Call our bicycle accident attorneys to file a claim today at 844-444-4444.