Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
Bicycling with your kids is healthy, good for your wallet, good for the environment, and it can be a wonderful family bonding experience. When children are too young to ride on their own, some parents still choose to bring them along for the ride, using either a rear-mounted bicycle seat or trailer. Although both options can provide countless hours of family enjoyment, they also come with risks. Read on for more information about how to choose the best option for your family, and how to keep your child safe.
Which Option is Safest?
A study published in the Archives of Pediatric Adolescent Medicine reported that trailers are safer than mounted seats. According to the study’s authors, “When compared with bicycle-mounted child seats, there were fewer reported injuries to children associated with the use of bicycle-towed trailers. Motor vehicle involvement and need for hospital admission were similar among injured children in both groups, and the head or face was the most common site of injury.” So, while there were more reported injuries linked to mounted seats, the extent of injuries suffered seems to be about the same for trailers as for mounted seats. A MA injury lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident.
Tips to Keep Your Child Safe in a Bicycle Seat or Trailer
As the parent, it is up to you to decide which bicycle seat option is best for your family. By following the tips below, you can help ensure that your child stays safe while riding in a mounted seat or bicycle trailer. If your child was injured due to a defective bicycle seat or trailer, a Boston bicycle accident lawyer can help you determine the next steps.
- Never put your child in a mounted bicycle seat until they are at least one year of age. Prior to one year, a child’s skull is too soft and can be easily damaged, especially on bumpy roads.
- Pull-behind trailers should be adequately padded for shock absorption. A very young child can suffer brain damage from too much jostling around while seated in mounted seats and trailers.
- Whether inside a trailer or in a mounted seat, children of all ages should always wear a helmet.
- Due to a bicycle trailer’s low profile, they can be hard for drivers of motor vehicles to see. To call attention to the trailer, equip it with a high-visibility orange flag.
- Avoid riding after dark, but if you must, make sure your trailer and bicycle are equipped with lights.
- Do not ride on the shoulder of the road if you have an attached trailer.
- If purchasing a mounted seat, make sure your bike is compatible with your seat of choice.
- Always follow the same rules of the road that motor vehicle drivers use when bicycling.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Bicycle Accident Lawyers Serving Boston and the Surrounding Areas
If you or your child has been injured in a bicycle-related accident, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. If a defective seat or trailer has resulted in injuries, the manufacturer should be held accountable. Nothing is more important than a child. When negligence leads to injury, compensation may be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other associated costs. At Altman & Altman, LLP, we will analyze the details of your case to determine the best legal strategy. Our attorneys will make sure you understand your rights and options, and we will be by your side throughout the entire process. Don’t go through this difficult time alone. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
