Wearing a bicycle helmet is cool. There. We said it. And it’s true. Wearing a bicycle helmet is cool. Not only that, but when worn properly it can save your or your child’s life.
Of the millions of Americans who ride a bicycle daily, only half of those regularly wear a helmet. And did you know that 85% of all traumatic brain injuries caused by a bicycle accident could have been prevented if the rider would have just worn a helmet? If you are not familiar with traumatic brain injuries, or TBI as they are also known, then we here at Texan Insurance have some information to help get you better educated.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A TBI occurs when a sudden trauma to the brain causes injury. Sometimes these injuries are mild, and that means a slight concussion or maybe loss of consciousness for a seconds up to a few minutes. The effects can linger for a month or two but typically disappear when given the proper time to heal.
Unfortunately, the more severe cases can present long-term problems, and even disability, both mental and physical. In these instances, treatment often consists of various therapies (physical, occupational or speech), physiatry and psychological support.
TBI is thought to be one of the most chronically misunderstood and therefore underfunded public health problems in our country today. But there is something we can do about, we can help get the word out. Cyclists in particular need to know about TBI.
While wearing a helmet is your choice, there is a lot to be said for doing so. Yes, wearing a helmet can save your life, but bicycle injuries are not always so extreme. They can have lingering, long-lasting effects that might not be readily seen by the naked eye. A TBI can harm you in a lot of other ways.
The best way for cyclists to prevent TBI is to wear a helmet. So please, protect your most valuable asset, you brain, and wear a helmet when you hit the road.