Yes there were head injuries. Often resulting in death, so they didn't say "he had a head injury in the accident" -it was "he was killed in the accident". We have far better technology now to save lives if not restore cognitive function after head trauma. If you didn't have a head injury and didn't wear a helmet then you probably didn't sustain a violent bike crash where your head hit the pavement. My son survived 2 such crashes because he wore a helmet.

Do you also not wear seat belts or have smoke alarms because they weren't around back when, and people are alive from back when? When you know better and you have the safety technology and equipment, you use them. Why wouldn't you?