Cincinnati is a city full of charm: historic neighborhoods, riverfront views, and a growing number of folks who bike for fun, commute, or fitness. But its busy streets, changing weather, and mixed traffic mean that bicyclists are vulnerable. When a crash happens, the consequences can be severe.
That’s why O’Connor, Acciani & Levy Co., LPA is a go-to firm in Greater Cincinnati for people injured in bicycle accidents. They combine local know-how, strong legal experience, and compassion for clients navigating not only physical recovery but legal recovery, too.
About O’Connor, Acciani & Levy Co., LPA
O’Connor, Acciani & Levy is a personal injury law firm with deep roots in the Cincinnati region. The team has represented bicycle accident victims, car crash victims, and other personal injury clients for many years. What sets them apart is their focus on how these accidents affect individual lives, not just in dollars and medical bills, but in pain, future limitations, lifestyle changes, and emotional impact.
They offer free consultations, work on a contingency fee basis (so clients aren’t paying unless there’s a recovery), and use their experience to build strong cases: gathering evidence, working with medical experts, documenting injuries, and negotiating with insurance companies or litigating when necessary.
Common Injuries Bicycle Accident Victims May Experience
Based on information from O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, and broader data on bicycle crashes, here is a list of injuries victims often suffer.
1. Head Injuries
One of the gravest risks in bicycle accidents is damage to the head. Even with helmets, bicyclists may suffer concussions, skull fractures, or more serious brain injuries. These can lead to long-term cognitive, emotional, or physical impairments. OAL stresses the importance of recognizing symptoms early, such as headaches, confusion, and dizziness, to get a proper medical evaluation.
2. Fractured Bones
Arms, wrists, collarbones, legs, ribs, and shoulders are commonly broken or fractured when a cyclist is struck or thrown. Dislocations (joints or the shoulder, for example) also happen. These injuries often require surgery, long recovery periods, physical therapy, possibly hardware (plates, screws), and sometimes permanent loss of mobility or strength.
3. Road Rash, Abrasions, and Skin Lacerations
Sliding on pavement or asphalt often leads to scraped skin, deep abrasions, burns, or lacerations. Though sometimes dismissed as “just superficial,” these injuries can become infected, leave scars, and cause ongoing pain or sensitivity.
4. Soft Tissue Injuries
These happen a lot. Muscles, ligaments, and tendons can be stretched, torn, or bruised. Even if they’re not obvious in X-rays, they can cause lingering pain, limit range of motion, affect sleep, and require therapy.
5. Spinal Injuries and Neck Trauma
Impacts that throw a bicyclist off their bike or smash them against a vehicle can injure the spine or neck. This can range from herniated discs or pinched nerves to more serious spinal cord damage. These injuries can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, or, in severe cases, paralysis.
6. Facial Injuries, Dental Damage, Disfigurement
The face is exposed in many bicycle crashes. Broken teeth, cuts, broken noses, jaw fractures, orbital injuries, or cheekbone fractures are not unusual. Scarring and disfigurement can also result.
7. Internal Injuries
Sometimes damage is not obvious externally: organ bruising, internal bleeding, lung injury, etc., can be life-threatening. These often require imaging, monitoring, and fast medical care. Missing internal injuries can lead to complications.
8. Emotional and Psychological Harm
Beyond physical injury, many accident victims suffer anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, difficulty sleeping, or fear of riding again. These non-physical damages matter in recovery, daily life, and quality of life. OAL aims to recognize and quantify these when pursuing a claim.
How O’Connor, Acciani & Levy Helps Victims
- Thorough investigation and evidence gathering: getting medical records, photos/videos, witness statements, and possibly accident reconstruction when needed.
- Working with medical experts to determine both current injuries and future medical care needs.
- Documenting both visible and less visible injuries so clients are not shortchanged.
- Negotiation or litigation: dealing with insurance companies, pushing for fair settlement; if necessary, taking cases to court.
- Personal attention and support: helping clients understand what to expect, costs, treatment, and what legal damages may cover.
Key Takeaways
- Bicycle crashes often result in a wide range of injuries.
- Even injuries that seem “minor” at first (bruises, scrapes, mild neck pain) can have long-term consequences if not treated properly.
- Selecting a law firm like O’Connor, Acciani & Levy Co., LPA can help ensure that all injuries, visible and invisible, are recognized and valued in a legal claim.
- Timing and medical documentation are critical.
- Having attorneys experienced with bicycle-vehicle collisions means stronger evidence, better compensation, and less stress.
