Motorcycles are an exciting means of travel, but that feeling of exhilaration comes with serious risks. The exposed position of the rider and the small mass of the bike combine to cause thousands of injuries and deaths every year. Every million miles driven by motorcycles causes roughly 25 deaths, thirty times the expected deaths from cars covering the same distance.
Among the most devastating consequences of motorcycle accidents are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Despite helmet laws and safety measures, riders remain vulnerable to severe head trauma in collisions. These injuries can have life-altering effects, ranging from cognitive impairments to long-term disabilities.
Helping motorcycle accident victims
When a motorcycle accident results in a severe traumatic brain injury or other serious personal injury, the role of an experienced attorney becomes invaluable. A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer can navigate the complex legal landscape, ensuring victims receive proper compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
In cases of wrongful death, attorneys play a critical role in helping families seek justice and financial stability. At Allen & Allen, our Virginia-based legal team has extensive experience with motorcycle accident claims, offering skilled guidance through every step of the legal process to protect the rights of injured riders and their families.
How often do motorcycle crashes result in severe head injury?
Legs and hips may be the most vulnerable parts of the body on a motorcycle, but head injuries are the most common fatal injury. Severe brain injury is of particular concern for bikers. About 12% of all emergency room visits and 26% of all hospitalizations due to motorcycle accidents involve a traumatic brain injury.
All head injuries should be taken seriously
Brain injury victims often exhibit symptoms including memory loss, depression, seizures, paralysis, and loss of motor skills. Many victims are disabled for the rest of their lives, requiring constant care and supervision.
However, some people who suffer traumatic brain injuries don’t show symptoms right away. Although there is no such thing as a mild traumatic brain injury, a brain injury victim may be diagnosed with a concussion or other traumas that seem at first like less severe injuries. But every head injury should be taken seriously.
Types of head and brain injuries from motorcycle crashes
Motorcycle crashes often lead to severe head trauma due to the rider’s exposed position. Even with motorcycle helmets, blunt force trauma of impact can cause significant damage to the brain. Every head injury, no matter how seemingly minor, requires immediate medical attention. There is no such thing as a minor brain injury – all have the potential for serious, long-lasting effects. Following are some of the serious injuries to the head we have seen in a motorcycle crash.
Concussions
Concussions are among the most common traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in motorcycle accidents. They occur when the brain is jolted inside the skull, causing temporary loss of normal brain function. Symptoms may include headaches, confusion, dizziness, and memory problems. Concussions can have serious long-term consequences if not properly treated.
Contusions
Brain contusions are bruises on the brain tissue caused by the brain impacting the inside of the skull during a crash. They can lead to swelling, bleeding, and potential long-term cognitive issues. In severe cases, contusions may require surgical intervention.
Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)
DAI occurs when the brain is violently shaken or rotated within the skull, causing widespread damage to nerve fibers (axons). This type of injury can result in various levels of brain damage, from mild cognitive impairment to a persistent vegetative state.
Skull fracture
The force of a motorcycle accident can cause fractures in the skull, potentially damaging the underlying brain tissue. An open skull fracture, where the bone penetrates the brain, is particularly dangerous and requires immediate surgical intervention.
Intracranial hematomas
These are blood clots that form inside the skull after a head injury. There are several types:
- Epidural hematoma: Bleeding between the skull and the outer membrane covering the brain
- Subdural hematoma: Bleeding between the brain and its outer covering
- Intracerebral hematoma: Bleeding within the brain tissue itself
All types of hematomas can increase pressure inside the skull, potentially leading to severe brain damage if not treated promptly.
Penetrating injuries
In some motorcycle accidents, objects may penetrate the skull and directly damage brain tissue. These injuries can cause immediate and severe brain damage, often with life-threatening consequences.
Second impact syndrome
This rare but dangerous condition occurs when a person suffers a second concussion before symptoms from an initial concussion have subsided. It can lead to rapid and severe brain swelling, often with catastrophic results.
The importance of immediate medical attention for motorcycle accident injuries
All head injuries, regardless of perceived severity, warrant immediate medical evaluation. Symptoms of brain injury may not be immediately apparent, and delayed treatment can lead to worsening conditions and long-term complications. Even a seemingly minor impact to the head can result in serious internal damage that’s not visible externally.
Long-term effects of brain injuries
Brain injuries from motorcycle accidents can have far-reaching consequences, including:
- Cognitive impairments affecting memory, attention, and problem-solving
- Physical disabilities such as paralysis or impaired motor skills
- Sensory processing issues affecting vision, hearing, or touch
- Emotional and behavioral changes, including depression, anxiety, or personality shifts
- Increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s
The road to recovery from a brain injury can be long and challenging, often requiring extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and lifestyle adjustments.
Financial impact of motorcycle injuries
The toll of a traumatic brain injury is both sudden and staggering. The financial and emotional toll on victims and their families can be substantial. Traumatic brain injuries generally incur massive medical bills. The American College of Surgeons has estimated in its journal that such an injury tends to roughly double the final hospital bill.
Due to their increased exposure and large likelihood of head injury, motorcycle accidents account for 12% of emergency medical costs despite being involved in only 6% of accidents. Families are forced into the impossible situation of assuming a major new financial burden just as one of their members is struck with a serious, perhaps even permanent, injury.
Motorcycle insurance
Excellent insurance is also a prerequisite and can prove immeasurably helpful to the victim’s family if the worst should occur. In Virginia, motorcycle insurance protects riders from potentially devastating medical bills following an accident. While the state does not mandate personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for motorcyclists, riders can opt for medical payments coverage as part of their motorcycle insurance policy. This optional coverage helps pay for medical expenses resulting from a motorcycle accident, regardless of who was at fault.
For comprehensive protection, riders should consider policies that include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This can be particularly valuable in covering medical expenses if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance. Virginia motorcyclists should carefully review their insurance options and consider coverage beyond the state minimums to ensure adequate protection against potentially high medical costs associated with motorcycle accidents.
Talk to a motorcycle accident attorney at Allen & Allen
Motorcycle accidents pose a significant risk for various types of head and brain injuries. From concussions to traumatic brain injuries, the potential for life-altering consequences is high. Remember, there is no such thing as a minor brain injury – all head traumas require prompt medical attention and careful monitoring.
If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury in a motorcycle accident, seek immediate medical care and talk to an experienced personal injury attorney to protect your rights and ensure you receive the support needed for recovery. The legal team at Allen & Allen is here to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
We offer free consultations so that you can share your unique situation. Call 866-388-1307 today.
