Catastrophic Injuries from Motorcycle Crashes

Those who love to ride motorcycles will tell you about the thrill and exhilaration they feel when hitting the open road, especially when the weather is beautiful. Motorcycle owners are among the most enthusiastic motorists on the road in terms of the passion they have for their vehicles. However, motorcycle accidents are something that riders must take great care to avoid. Dangers on the road exist for drivers of all types of vehicles. However, motorcycle drivers face the threat of catastrophic injuries in an even more elevated way due to some of the inherent challenges they face of staying safe on the road in these vehicles.

Any significant injury due to a motorcycle crash can bring about immense challenges physically, emotionally, mentally, and financial. The injuries possible in a motorcycle accident are wide-ranging, including everything from minor scratches and bumps to debilitating catastrophic injuries that result in permanent disability and even death. Two of the most common types motorcycle accident injuries are traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

Riders are at risk of traumatic brain injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) inflicts damage to the brain. It results from an impact to the head in some manner, either by an object such as a shard of glass, metal, or some other material that penetrates the skull and causes the devastating brain injuries.

Brain injuries can impose very high medical costs to the patient. These injuries often require a significant amount of inpatient treatment. The National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHSTA) estimates that a patient may incur nearly $32,000 in hospital bills due to a TBI.

There are additional costs that persons with TBI can incur even after they leave the hospital. These costs can involve medical checkups, rehabilitation, medical equipment, and physical therapy – all of which pileup and may not be covered completely by medical insurance. Severe TBI can cause loss of muscle control, paralysis, memory and concentration problems, severe headaches, permanent disabilities, and difficulty communicating.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the chance of receiving a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident can be reduced by one-half by wearing a helmet. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that wearing a motorcycle helmet can lower the chance of death by 37 percent.

Spinal cord injuries can permanently injured riders

Another form of catastrophic injuries that result from motorcycle accidents are spinal cord injuries. These injuries consist of damage to the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves that originate from the brain and extend through the bones in the spine.

When it comes to motorcycle accidents and injuries from those accidents that result in hospital admission, spinal cord injuries are at the top of the list. They also result in very high medical costs to the patient. Just as with a TBI, a patient may incur tens of thousands of dollars in hospital bills due to a spinal cord injury. Often, patients suffer additional injuries as well that add to the hospital stay and medical treatment costs.

Spinal cord injuries can be either partial or total. A partial spinal cord injury can cause loss of movement or feeling in the extremities or limbs, nerve pain, and difficulties with organ function. A total spinal cord injury usually results in complete paralysis of the area of the body below the location where the spinal cord was severed. Either type of injury can bring about permanent disability. Both types of injuries require extensive follow-up care and rehab which increased the burden of medical expenses on the injured individual and his or her family.

If you or a loved one has been severely injured in a motorcycle crash, we understand the difficult physical and emotional pain you may be experiencing. If your injuries have been caused by the negligence of another driver, you may have the right to recover compensation for your losses. Our experienced Los Angeles motorcycle accident attorneys are here to support you and fight on your behalf for an outcome that helps you move forward financially from the devastation you have experienced. To schedule a free consultation with a lawyer from Taylor & Ring, call us today at 310.776.6390 or fill out our contact form.