Case Studies
Bicycle Accident
An 8 year old girl fell off her bicycle and received a cervical spinal cord injury.
We were asked to determine whether the use of a helmet would have prevented her injury.
We analyzed the fractures, contusions, and abrasions she sustained by thorough review of the medical records.
We reviewed witness testimony, examined the bicycle, and inspected the accident site.
Witness statements provided distances of travel of the girl as she reportedly flew over the handle bars of her bicycle. Scuff marks and transfer were found on a curb at the accident site that were consistent with the reported location of the accident. Using this information, velocity calculations were performed to determine her speed upon landing. We also determined through her medical records that she landed on her face as she dove into the ground and received her spine injuries. We reconstructed her spine injuries in three dimensions using radiology (x-rays, CT, MRI scans) and found them to be consistent with a face first impact causing both compression and extension (backward motion) of the head.
These facts indicated that the girl flew over the handle bars of her bicycle and landed on the ground at a speed sufficient to cause a cervical spine injury. Because the primary impact was to her face, the use of a standard bicycle helmet would not have prevented her spine injury.