in Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle Accident Scars and Disfiguring Injuries In Pennsylvania

by

People who are involved in motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania might suffer many different types of serious injuries and might be left with permanent scarring and disfigurement as a result. Severe lacerations, facial injuries, burns, and amputations can happen in motorcycle wrecks and leave victims with permanent disfigurement and an ongoing reminder of their traumatic crashes. Severe scarring and disfigurement can result in psychological harm, and many people who suffer from disfigurement develop severe depression and other types of emotional trauma. At Raynes & Lawn, our team of motorcycle accident injury lawyers understands the devastation motorcycle crash victims can suffer when they have been scarred and disfigured. We have helped many victims recover compensation to help them manage their serious injuries. Here is some information about disfigurement and scarring in motorcycle crashes.

Types Of Scars And Disfigurement

When you have a serious injury, your body and skin will try to heal and repair the damaged tissue. Scars can form when your body tries to cover a wound caused by your motorcycle crash. They are made out of fibrous tissue and will initially appear red. While scars might become pale over time or fade, certain types of scars will not disappear without cosmetic surgery. Some of the types of scars and other disfiguring injuries you might experience following a motorcycle wreck are discussed below.

 

Keloid Scars

Keloid scars are raised and they occur when too much scar tissue grows. These types of scars typically appear over injuries to the shoulders, chest, ears, and cheeks. A keloid scar might be larger than the initial wound and might not appear for several weeks or months after your accident. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology reports that approximately 10% of the U.S. population develop keloid scars during their lives. People whose skin is darker are more likely to develop these types of scars.

 

Hypertrophic Scars

Like keloids, hypertrophic scars are raised. However, they are not as large as keloids. Hypertrophic scars can be caused by burns, cuts, or punctures. Hypertrophic scars might form anywhere that you are injured.

 

Contracture Scars

Contracture scars are caused by burns. When new skin grows in the burned area, it will tighten and thicken. These types of scars can cause pain and discomfort and make movement more difficult. Most second- or third-degree burns can result in contracture scars.

 

Disfiguring Facial Injuries

Many motorcycle accident victims who have to go to the hospital for crash-related injuries have facial injuries. Facial lacerations can leave permanent scars. Other types of serious facial injuries might include the loss of a nose or a jaw bone and require multiple reconstructive surgeries. Facial injuries can have a deleterious impact on a victim’s social life and cause a loss of confidence and depression.

 

Amputations

Motorcyclists sometimes suffer limb amputations in collisions. these might happen when they are crushed by vehicles or dragged. Amputations frequently involve a rider’s leg or foot. Losing a limb can require extensive rehabilitation and counseling to help the victim adjust to life without the severed limb. Many motorcycle accident victims will also want to get prosthetic limbs to restore function. The costs of rehabilitation, physical therapy, counseling, and a prosthesis can be substantial, placing a high financial burden on the victims.

Motorcycle Accidents That Cause Scars And Disfigurement

Many different types of motorcycle crashes can cause scarring and disfigurement, including the following:

 

  • Head-on motorcycle collisions – When a motorcyclist is involved in a head-on collision with a motor vehicle, he or she is likely to suffer serious injuries. Facial injuries might result even when the rider is wearing a helmet.
  • Dooring accidents – Dooring accidents occur when a motorist parked alongside a road opens a door in the path of an oncoming motorcycle. These types of accidents typically cause serious facial injuries caused by the impact of the reinforced vehicle doors.
  • Side-impact collisions – Motorcyclists who are involved in side-impact collisions can be thrown from their bikes, resulting in serious facial injuries, head injuries, and other injuries.
  • Sudden stop accidents – When a motorcyclist collides into a vehicle that stops suddenly in front of the bike or is pinned by two vehicles, he or she will likely suffer facial injuries and might also suffer an amputation injury.

The Cost Of Scars And Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents

Many motorcyclists want to treat their facial injuries since people notice others’ faces first. A single laser treatment for a scar costs an average ranging from $200 to $3,400. Multiple laser treatments are typically needed to remove scars, so the cost can quickly increase. If the insurance company determines that the treatment is for cosmetic reasons, it will likely deny coverage. However, if the scar is severe and debilitating, the medical insurance company might cover a portion of the cost. If you need surgery for facial injuries, the costs will be much higher. The cost will depend on the type of facial injury you sustained. Facial surgeries can range up to 100,000 or more for reconstruction. In addition to medical costs, you might also suffer a reduced ability to enjoy your life. People who are disfigured in motorcycle collisions might develop depression, psychological pain, and trauma because of what happened. In one study, researchers found that 80% of people who were disabled because of motorcycle accidents also suffered impairments related to scarring and disfigurement.

 

Some of the types of damages that might be recoverable following a disfiguring injury in a motorcycle crash include the following:

 

  • Past and future medical expenses
  • Income losses related to your accident
  • Past and future rehabilitation and counseling costs
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional trauma
  • Disability
  • Disfigurement and scarring
  • Loss of the quality of life
  • Potential punitive damages

Speak To A Motorcycle Accident Attorney At Raynes & Lawn

If you have suffered serious injuries and have been left with disfigurement and scarring following your motorcycle crash, you should speak to the attorneys at Raynes & Lawn. Call us today for a free consultation at 1-800-535-1797.

 

For the general public:  This Blog/Website is made available by the law firm publisher, Raynes & Lawn, for educational purposes. It provides general information and a general understanding of the law but does not provide specific legal advice. By using this site, commenting on posts, or sending inquiries through the site or contact email, you confirm that there is no attorney-client relationship between you and the Blog/Website publisher. The Blog/Website should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

 

For attorneys:  This Blog/Website is informational in nature and is not a substitute for legal research or a consultation on specific matters pertaining to your clients.  Due to the dynamic nature of legal doctrines, what might be accurate one day may be inaccurate the next. As such, the contents of this blog must not be relied upon as a basis for arguments to a court or for your advice to clients without, again, further research or a consultation with our professionals.