Did You Suffer a Traumatic Injury in a Motorcycle Accident?
Riding a motorcycle has a lot of advantages. It’s fun, economical, and it gives you a great sense of freedom. But a motorcycle rider doesn’t have the same type of protection that an automobile provides. A car has seatbelts, airbags, and a steel frame to protect passengers. Motorcycles are also less visible on the road than cars.
Because a motorcycle rider is not protected by a secured cabin like an automobile driver, they only have their safety gear and a helmet to protect them. When a motorcycle crashes, the rider will hit the ground or collide with solid object such as another vehicle.
Motorcycle accidents often have catastrophic results, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, or amputation. These conditions cause immense challenges and extended periods of recovery. If you are facing a traumatic injury due to a motorcycle accident, you will want to talk to an experienced Summit County motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Traumatic brain injuries often results from a motorcycle accident. In Colorado, riders over the age of eighteen are not required to wear a helmet, but motorcycle helmets are strongly recommended by the Department of Transportation (DOT.) Riders are five time more likely to be killed in and accident when they are not wearing a helmet according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
A helmet prevents the rider’s head from making direct contact with the ground or another solid object, greatly reducing the risk of a cracked skull and the direct exposure of brain tissue. But even when the rider is wearing a helmet, the impact of a crash forces the brain to move around inside your skull, often causing concussion and bleeding of the brain. It’s essential to seek medical care right away if you have injured you head in a motorcycle accident.
Symptoms of TBI include:
- Dizziness
- Severe Headaches
- Loss of consciousness
- Bruising around the eyes
- Convulsion or seizures
- Nausea and vomiting
- Memory problems
- Difficulty speaking
- Depression and anxiety
- Fluid draining from the nose or ears
- Difficulty sleeping or trouble waking up
Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries to the neck and back are common in motorcycle accidents, and this often causes spinal cord damage. Partial or complete paralysis may result from a spinal cord injury. Paralysis is the loss of movement and sensation.
Depending on the location of the spinal cord injury, you may be unable to make voluntary muscle movements below the neck or below the waste. People who suffer from paralysis require a lifetime of extremely expensive care and they may also suffer from:
- Chronic pain
- Spastic muscles
- Sexual disfunction
- Circulatory problems
- Respiratory problems
- Weakness and flaccid muscles
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
Amputation
Irreparable damage caused by a motorcycle accident may lead to the amputation of one or more limbs. Crush injuries and other types of extreme trauma could cause you to lose an arm, leg, hand, or foot. The psychological impact of an amputation can be devastating, too. Most amputations don’t occur at the accident site. But surgeons are often forced to remove limbs that cannot be repaired. Patients may be angry and depressed when they discover they have lost a limb from a motorcycle accident, and PTSD can also occur.
The rehabilitation period will probably require a prolonged period of physical therapy, and psychological counseling may also be necessary. There have been great advancements in prosthesis, but these devises are very expenses and the adjustment period is often difficult.
Were You Injured in an Accident?
If you were injured in an accident, you will want to speak with our experienced Colorado personal injury lawyers. At Whitaker & Penix, LLC, we can help you get a settlement to cover the cost of your injuries. Give us a call at (970) 368-0602 to learn more today. We’re on your side.