Proposed by Fort Collins Democratic Rep. John Kefalas, House Bill 1147 has the potential to make Colorado the 23 state including the District of Columbia to make helmets required by law for youth riders. In addition to state laws, close to 200 local laws attempt to curb annual bicycle-related injuries.
Helmet Laws Reduce Medical Costs
The Child Safety Network reports that close to 200 children under the age of 15 die each year from a bicycle-related injury. Each year, close to 9,000 children are hospitalized and 344,000 additional children are treated in emergency rooms for injuries sustained from a bicycle accident. Bicycle helmets prevent 52 to 60 percent of bike-related head injury deaths, 68-85 percent of nonfatal head and scalp injuries and 65 percent of upper and middle face injuries – results that may be increased as helmet laws expect to reduce medical costs for bike-related injuries.
Bicycle accidents can result in costly traumatic brain injuries. These type of injuries can impact quality of life, reduce future earnings due to permanent disability and can often result in costly medical bills. The CSN estimates that “if 85 percent of all child cyclists wore helmets in 1 year, the lifetime medical cost savings would total $197 to $256 million.
The Colorado government is estimated to save $110 per year in medical costs for each helmet that is worn – a figure that could result in $1 million a month in savings.
Traumatic Brain Injuries and Children
According to the United States Center for Disease Control, the following statistics reveal the number of children age 0 to 14 who fall victim to a traumatic brain injury:
* 2,685 deaths
* 37,000 hospitalizations
* 435,000 emergency department visits annually
Preventative measures to reduce the number of brain injuries that occur each year would be fiscally beneficial and would help improve the quality of life for active children – ensuring their safety during the activities they love. Preventative measures are anticipated to reduce the number of traumatic brain injury lawsuits filed by those seeking monetary compensation.
Developing a potential brain injury case can be time consuming and difficult, which is why consulting with an experienced lawyer can help individuals receive appropriate compensation. Visit LegalView.info to learn more or to get information about filing a potential Avandia lawsuit.
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