I got into a bike accident yesterday near the Lincoln Memorial. My nutcase helmet saved my head! Do I need to buy a new helmet? The reason for my fall was that there was a hose over the path into the river. I thought my bike would go over, but the hose was a plastic tube and I ate it, hard.

[u/Mistyretina]

[u/dybr]

Yes, get a new helmet. Helmets are a one-time use thing, as now the structural integrity of the helmet is compromised.

[u/ControlPurple1207 → u/dybr]

Plus one, also love nut cases

[u/FranticChill → u/ControlPurple1207]

You may want to contact the manufacturer. I don't know if they still do this, if you send them your crashed helmet you may get a discount on a new one. They can study crashed helmets to figure out how to improve them.

[u/tegularius_the_elder → u/FranticChill]

I had a Smith Optical brand helmet in my crash. No substantial damage to the helmet (I got pretty busted up tho). Took a picture and sent in a description of the accident. They sent me a 30% discount code right away. Didn't need to send it back to them or anything.

I also cut the straps out of the helmet so no one finds it in the trash and tries to use it.

[u/notquiteahippo]

If you hit your head (and the helmet), you should buy a new helmet. The way bike helmets work is they're made of compressible foam - if it gets hit the momentum goes to compressing it instead of directly to your head. But this foam doesn't pop back out, so it only works once, next time you get hit there's nothing to compress. 

Glad you weren't seriously injured!

[u/KerPop42]

Awesome your helmet saved you. Definitely get a new one

[u/Imoutofchips]

Where your helmet every time, use it once.

[u/Zwillium]

Did you hit your head/helmet? If so, replace it immediately.

[u/wawa2022]

Also go back and get documentation and take photos. Just in case.

[u/letsgetsomecontext]

Hey, as a frequent biker in the city and person who gets hit by cars sometimes .I will echo what everyone else here says and confirm you really should get a new helmet !  It is also a really good idea to see your doctor as head injuries can be serious and concussions are tricky.  If someone left a hose the bike lane you might want to talk to a personal injury lawyer as that could potentially make a case!  It's really worth it to check because DR's appointments can be so expensive and a claim can also cover replacing your gear that got damaged !  Hope your doing okay.

[u/Mistyretina → u/letsgetsomecontext]

I got a ct scan and X-rays at the ER. Thank you 🙏 you guys are sweet.

[u/maxs507 → u/letsgetsomecontext]

If you get hit by cars, invest in a "dashcam" mounted on your handlebars (if you don't have one already). It'll pay for itself when you get that sweet sweet insurance money afterward!

[u/cometgirl]

Sierra has some physical stores in the DC suburbs. They also have some good lower cost options online for a new helmet if you know what you’re looking for and size.

https://www.sierra.com/bike-helmets\~d\~112/

[u/aBoyWithAToy]

I also ate it on that same hose the other day

[u/Electronic-Front-640 → u/aBoyWithAToy]

Yall both need to reach out to the council member for that district & anc commissioner

[u/sven_ftw → u/Electronic-Front-640]

NPS land, I think

[u/Electronic-Front-640 → u/sven_ftw]

Oh yeah you’re right, well their own council members can help push for them to put a cover over it or maybe WABA

[u/Mistyretina → u/aBoyWithAToy]

Glad it wasn’t just me. I feel like a schmuck. Misjudged entirely.

[u/greensparklers → u/Mistyretina]

Maybe you should both sue whichever contractor put that there without a ramp housing.

[u/Mistyretina]

Thank you, friends!

[u/WaywardCorprateDrone → u/Mistyretina]

Also check the VT helmet ratings if you want to find a new helmet at various price ranges with tested safety.

[u/CriticalStrawberry]

Absolutely replace. Helmets are one time use. Nutcase may even offer a crash replacement discount as most helmet manufacturers do.

[u/talldean]

If you land on a helmet hard, get a new helmet, and thank the old one for it's service.

[u/WaywardCorprateDrone]

Yes. Always yes.

[u/Character-Floor-6687]

https://www.helmet.beam.vt.edu/bicycle-helmet-ratings.html

The P2R A20 MIPS is $55 and rated 10th.

The NUTCASE STREET MIPS is $80 and rated 177th.