What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, focus first on safety and appropriate medical care. Cyclists have very little protection in a collision, especially when a car or truck is involved, so injuries can range from muscle strains and joint pain to fractures, head injuries, and other serious trauma.
If you have severe pain, head trauma, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, significant bleeding, weakness, numbness, signs of a fracture, or other emergency symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency medical care. If your injuries are not life-threatening but you develop neck pain, back pain, soft tissue pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility, an evaluation can help determine what type of treatment may be appropriate.
Steps to Take After a Cycling Accident
1. Check Yourself and Others for Injuries
Before focusing on the bicycle, vehicle damage, or exchanging information, check yourself and anyone else involved for injuries. If someone appears seriously hurt, call 911 and follow the instructions of emergency personnel.
Do not assume you are uninjured just because you can stand or walk after the crash. Some symptoms may become more noticeable after the initial shock of the accident wears off.
2. Get to a Safe Location
If you are able to move safely and remaining in the roadway puts you at risk, move to a safer location away from traffic. Avoid unnecessary movement if you have severe pain, dizziness, weakness, numbness, or a suspected head, neck, back, or fracture-related injury.
3. Report the Accident
If a motor vehicle was involved, someone was injured, or the crash involved other serious circumstances, contact law enforcement and follow their instructions. An official report can help document basic information about the collision.
4. Document the Scene
If your condition allows and it is safe to do so, take photographs or video of the accident scene. Document the bicycle, any vehicles involved, visible damage, road conditions, traffic signals, signs, and other details that may help show what happened.
You may also want to collect contact information from witnesses and the driver or drivers involved.
5. Seek Appropriate Medical Care
Bicycle accidents can cause serious injuries that require emergency or specialized medical treatment. Head injuries, fractures, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, significant bleeding, and other serious trauma should be evaluated through appropriate medical care.
For accident-related musculoskeletal injuries such as neck pain, back pain, soft tissue injuries, shoulder pain, knee and leg injuries, joint stiffness, or reduced mobility, chiropractic care and rehabilitation may be appropriate after more serious injuries have been ruled out or treated.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
The type and severity of injury after a bicycle accident depends on how the collision occurred, whether a motor vehicle was involved, the direction of impact, and how the cyclist landed or struck another object.
Common bicycle accident injuries may include:
- Head injuries and concussions
- Fractures
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee and leg injuries
- Hip and pelvic injuries
- Joint sprains and strains
- Muscle injuries
- Dental and facial injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Lacerations and bruising
Neck Pain and Whiplash
Sudden impact can place stress on the neck and surrounding soft tissue. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, headaches, soreness, and reduced range of motion. Learn more about whiplash and neck injury treatment.
Back Injuries
Landing hard, twisting during the fall, or being struck by a vehicle can injure the muscles, joints, and other structures of the back. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, muscle tightness, reduced mobility, or radiating discomfort.
Learn more about back pain treatment after an accident.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can be stretched or injured during a bicycle crash. Soft tissue injuries may cause swelling, soreness, bruising, stiffness, and limited movement.
Shoulder Injuries
Cyclists often brace for impact or land on an arm or shoulder during a fall. This can lead to shoulder pain, weakness, stiffness, or difficulty lifting and reaching.
Knee and Leg Injuries
The knees and legs may be injured through direct impact, twisting, or contact with the bicycle, vehicle, or roadway. Pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness, or difficulty walking should be evaluated appropriately.
Can a Chiropractor Help After a Bicycle Accident?
Chiropractic care and rehabilitation may be appropriate for certain musculoskeletal injuries after serious trauma has been evaluated and emergency conditions have been ruled out or treated.
At Premier Injury Clinics of DFW, our accident injury chiropractors evaluate patients experiencing musculoskeletal pain, stiffness, and mobility problems after accidents. Depending on the injury, treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation therapy, mobility-focused exercises, soft tissue techniques, and other supportive care.
Chiropractic care is not appropriate as the sole treatment for fractures, internal injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord trauma, or other medical emergencies.
What to Expect During Bicycle Accident Injury Treatment
Your first visit begins with an evaluation of how the accident happened, where you are experiencing pain or stiffness, and how your movement or daily activities have been affected.
Your provider will assess your symptoms and mobility and determine whether your condition is appropriate for chiropractic or rehabilitation care. If your injuries require additional medical evaluation, imaging, or another type of treatment, an appropriate referral may be recommended.
When musculoskeletal treatment is appropriate, your care plan may include chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, mobility work, and other supportive therapies. Progress is monitored throughout treatment so your care can be adjusted as your symptoms and function change.
When Should You Get Checked After a Bicycle Accident?
If you develop neck pain, back pain, headaches, muscle soreness, joint stiffness, swelling, weakness, or reduced mobility after a bicycle accident, an evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and what type of care is appropriate.
Do not wait for a chiropractic appointment if you have symptoms suggesting a medical emergency. Loss of consciousness, confusion, repeated vomiting, severe headache, significant bleeding, difficulty breathing, inability to bear weight, suspected fractures, or other serious symptoms require prompt medical evaluation.
Bicycle Accident Injury Treatment in DFW
Premier Injury Clinics of DFW provides accident-focused chiropractic care and rehabilitation for appropriate musculoskeletal injuries at seven locations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Our team helps patients recovering from neck pain, back pain, soft tissue injuries, shoulder pain, knee and leg injuries, joint stiffness, and reduced mobility following bicycle accidents and other traumatic events.
Same-day appointments may be available, and free transportation is available within 15 miles of each clinic for qualifying patients. If you are dealing with musculoskeletal pain or mobility problems after a cycling accident, contact Premier Injury Clinics of DFW to schedule an evaluation.
Bicycle Accident Injury FAQs
Should I go to the emergency room after a bicycle accident?
Emergency care may be necessary if you have head trauma, loss of consciousness, significant bleeding, severe pain, difficulty breathing, a suspected fracture, weakness, numbness, or other serious symptoms. When in doubt after a significant collision, seek appropriate medical evaluation.
Can bicycle accident injuries have delayed symptoms?
Yes. Muscle soreness, stiffness, swelling, headaches, neck pain, back pain, and mobility problems may become more noticeable after the initial shock of the accident. New, severe, or worsening symptoms should be medically evaluated.
What bicycle accident injuries can a chiropractor treat?
Chiropractic and rehabilitation care may be appropriate for certain musculoskeletal conditions such as neck pain, back pain, soft tissue injuries, joint stiffness, muscle strains, shoulder pain, and reduced mobility. The type of care depends on the patient’s individual injury and condition.
What happens during my first bicycle accident injury appointment?
Your provider will review how the accident happened, your symptoms, and how your movement has been affected. The evaluation helps determine whether chiropractic care, rehabilitation, additional medical evaluation, or another type of treatment is appropriate.
What treatment may be used after a bicycle accident?
For appropriate musculoskeletal injuries, treatment may include chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, mobility work, soft tissue techniques, and other supportive therapies based on the patient’s symptoms and recovery needs.
Does Premier Injury Clinics of DFW provide transportation?
Premier Injury Clinics of DFW offers free transportation within 15 miles of each clinic for qualifying patients. Contact the clinic to confirm availability and schedule your appointment.
Bicycle Safety Tips
Preventing a bicycle crash is not always possible, but safer riding habits can reduce risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends practices such as riding with traffic, following roadway rules, staying visible, using appropriate lighting, and wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet.
- Wear a properly fitted helmet.
- Ride in the same direction as traffic.
- Follow traffic signs and signals.
- Use hand signals when turning or changing position.
- Use lights and reflective equipment when riding in low-light conditions.
- Wear visible clothing and avoid riding in vehicle blind spots.
- Stay alert for opening car doors, turning vehicles, driveways, and intersections.
- Avoid distractions that make it harder to hear or see surrounding traffic.