Treatment of injuries sustained by cyclists costs 140 euros on average
Treatment of injuries sustained by cyclists costs 140 euros on average
The weather is getting warmer and people open their cycling season, and the number of cyclists in streets and on roads increases, which inevitably is to the benefit of the environment, reduces traffic congestions and improves the general health condition of the pedal pushers themselves. Unfortunately, in the case of collisions and falls, cyclists are less protected and an accident can take away quite a buck. The statistical data summarised by BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS (BTA) suggests that treatment of injuries of cyclists in 2017 cost 140 euros on average, with the most expensive one being nearly thousand euros.
Traditionally the most active cycling season in Latvia starts in April and lasts until the end of September. This is also the period of time when most accidents occur with cyclists involved. As of 2008, 10% of all road traffic accidents registered during the year happen in spring months, growing to 17% in summer months, as the statistics of the Latvian Road Traffic Safety Directorate (Ceļu Satiksmes Drošības Direkcija - CSDD) suggests. Half of all accidents take place in Riga, and another quarter – in other cities of the country. Most collisions occur at the close of business day from 16.00 to 18.00 hours, when the traffic intensity is increased.
A similar picture we see with mopeds, motorcycles and quadricycles. The statistical data collected since 2014 indicates that 8% of all accidents for the year occur in April, and the proportion leaps to as much as 20% in summer months.
“A curious fact, one fourth of all the registered cyclist accidents have happened not colliding with another vehicle, but as the rider him or herself falls from the bicycle and gets injured. This is the most widespread cause of accidents second to those involving a car. These figures are even more impressive in the motorized vehicles group – own mistake has become a reason for a fall in one third of accident cases. This is a clear signal to any and every bicycle and motorbike rider to get insured against personal accidents also when they do not frequent busy traffic streets on a daily basis,” says Kārlis Liepiņš, BTA Claims Handling Department Director.
BTA received 120 insurance claims in 2017 from Personal accident insurance policyholders for injuries sustained while riding a bicycle. The most frequent injuries are lacerations, a bone in the leg broken, or fractured collarbone or brain concussion after falling over the steering wheel.
The severest fall was registered in March of last year, when a cyclist would have faced the costs for an arm surgery and the following three-month treatment of 915 euros. In this case all the costs were covered by the insurer. Another insured cyclist in May would have otherwise spend 753 euros for a leg injury treatment in May, while yet another – 620 euros for treatment of a shoulder injury. An average indemnity size disbursed in 2017 for insured personal accident event was 140 euros.
About BTA
BTA Baltic Insurance Company is one of the leading insurance companies in the Baltics, offering the broadest range of non-life insurance services in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. BTA employs more than 1 000 employees in the Baltics. The largest shareholder of BTA is Vienna Insurance Group AG with 200 years of experience in the insurance industry. More than 50 companies in 25 countries constitute the group, which employs 25,000 employees. Vienna Insurance Group AG is a clear leader in its core markets in Europe maintaining high rating of financial stability – Standard & Poor’s A+ (stable outlook), with a listing on the Vienna and the Prague Stock Exchange.
Additional information:
Elīna Rasmane
Marketing and Public Relations Department Director
BTA Baltic Insurance Company AAS
e-mail elina.rasmane@bta.lv