Motorcyclists are more prone to suffering severe injuries in accidents because they’re so exposed. Riders obviously don’t have the same level of protection as drivers, so they’re at a higher risk. When an accident does happen, the injuries will typically be very serious. As a result, riders will usually be entitled to a substantial amount of money when an accident isn’t their fault.
If you find yourself in this situation, you’re going to need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as you can. The stakes are likely going to be very high. So you need the help of a legal representative with the skill it takes to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
The attorneys with The Eberst Law Firm have that skill. We have a great deal of experience in this area of the law, as well as a long track record of success. Our attorneys know how to uncover the evidence it takes to make our clients’ cases as strong as possible. We also pride ourselves on communication, making sure our clients stay completely informed through every stage of the legal process.
The following is a brief look at some of the more common injuries that motorcycle riders suffer when they’re involved in an accident. If you’ve been hurt in an injury that wasn’t your fault, and you’d like to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we may be able to help, please call The Eberst Law Firm at 1-888-CALL-JON or contact us online.
1. Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be one of the most devastating consequences of a motorcycle wreck. When a rider is ejected from their bike and hits their head – either on the road or some other hard surface – that can cause the brain to rattle inside the skull. Helmets offer a great deal of protection. However, there are some forces that are so strong a rider will still suffer severe brain damage.
This type of injury can be one of the most frustrating imaginable. Victims will often not be able to do the simple things that they used to take for granted – things like making their own meals, or even tying their own shoes. A TBI can make it nearly impossible to communicate, and can also rob a victim of their attention span.
People with a severe TBI can also have a difficult time controlling their emotions, lashing out for no apparent reason.
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can also leave riders with debilitating spinal cord injuries. In a split second, they can be hurt so badly they can no longer walk, having to spend years – possibly the rest of their lives – in a wheelchair as a result.
Even those lucky enough to be able to walk after a spinal cord injury often have to endure excruciating pain long after their accident. Their nerve damage can be so severe, they must resign themselves to a lifetime of misery. The medications used to help heal a spinal cord injury have incredibly serious side effects, such as pneumonia and blood clots. Doctors will often opt for risky surgery in order to try to correct spinal cord damage instead.
3. Road Rash
Some people might think that a road rash injury isn’t that serious. Try telling that to a motorcyclist who has suffered one. A road rash is a severe type of friction burn that occurs when someone’s body is raked across a rough surface, such as an asphalt highway. The severity will often depend on the speed at which the body moves across the road. Since motorcycle accidents typically occur at high speeds, the friction that causes a road rash can lead to horrible damage.
The only good thing about a road rash is that it’s usually not fatal. Otherwise, it’s a terrible experience. Victims will often lose so much flesh that they need painful skin grafts. They may also experience nerve damage. If a rider either isn’t wearing a helmet, or loses it during the crash, they could suffer severe facial road rash that could lead to permanent disfigurement.
4. Internal Injuries
Sometimes, riders involved in an accident don’t realize how badly they’ve been injured. They have so much adrenaline coursing through their body, and they don’t see any obvious signs of problems, that they think everything’s fine. It’s not until later, when that adrenaline wears off, they realize they’re anything but.
Any sort of internal injury can be fatal if not treated as quickly as possible. Damage to an organ can be devastating, as can any potential internal bleeding. This is one of the many reasons why anyone involved in a motorcycle accident must get medical attention immediately.
5. Fractures and Breaks
If someone in a motorcycle accident “only” suffers a broken or fractured bone, they will more than likely consider themselves rather fortunate. This is usually a relatively short-term injury – at least compared with most of the others on this list. Nonetheless, a broken bone can still result in severe pain. And it can make it impossible to work for weeks or months.
In many cases, however, broken bones can be so badly damaged that extensive surgery will be needed. There could even be further surgeries required in order for the bone to heal completely. On top of that, accident victims will sometimes have to undergo grueling physical therapy as well.
6. Amputation
Motorcycle accidents occur on far too regular a basis. They will often result in a rider never being able to enjoy being on a bike again, because a limb has been so badly damaged it has to be amputated. Not only does an amputation lead to physical disability, it can also result in severe mental and emotional trauma.
The Eberst Law Firm is Florida’s Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney
If you’ve suffered a severe injury in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, one of the first things you should do is to get in touch with The Eberst Law Firm. Our attorneys will be ready to do whatever it takes to help you obtain every penny you deserve. If you would like a free review of your case, call 1-888-CALL-JON or use our online contact form.
