What Happens After Suffering A Brain Injury From A Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcyclists have a much greater risk of suffering head injuries when they are involved in collisions. While helmets can help, some motorcyclists will still suffer head injuries in motorcycle crashes involving motor vehicles because of their minimal protection against the trauma and physical forces of an accident. Motorcycle collisions can cause multiple types of head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that require hospitalization and extensive treatment. For some motorcycle accident victims, their head injuries might leave them with lifelong complications. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists in 2019 were 29 times likelier to be killed in accidents and four times likelier to be injured than passenger vehicle occupants. The leading cause of fatalities and disabilities in motorcycle crashes is a head injury, which underscores the importance of always wearing a helmet when you ride your motorcycle. If you have suffered motorcycle accident trauma and a bike head injury, you should talk to a Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorney at Raynes & Lawn.
Types Of Head Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
There are numerous types of head injuries that you might suffer in a motorcycle crash, including the following:
- Severe lacerations
- Road rash to the scalp
- Fractured skull
- Damage to the bones of the face
- Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries range can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild TBIs are also called concussions and might not involve a loss of consciousness. Even though they are called mild, even a mild concussion can have lasting consequences. Moderate TBIs involve a loss of consciousness lasting for a few minutes up to a few hours. Moderate TBIs might also cause behavioral, physical, and cognitive impairments. If you suffer from a TBI, you might experience feelings of confusion and disorientation. You might also experience nausea, vomiting, motor control problems, and other issues.
A severe TBI can cause permanent impairment. If you suffer a severe TBI, you might lose consciousness and remain in a coma lasting several days, weeks, or months. Many people who survive traumatic brain injuries struggle to complete basic tasks and might suffer losses of memory, changes in personality, and other issues. Many people who suffer from moderate to severe TBIs also experience depression, anxiety, and other psychological issues. This makes it important to seek both medical and mental health care after you suffer a TBI in a motorcycle crash.
What Happens After Suffering A Brain Injury From A Motorcycle Accident?
If you suffer a TBI in a motorcycle crash, you might experience the following temporary or permanent symptoms:
- Memory loss
- Poor regulation of behavior and emotions
- Increased impulsivity
- Loss of taste, smell, or vision
- Difficulty communicating
- Decreased motor functioning
- Anxiety or depression
In addition to these symptoms, a TBI can result in numerous complications. Some of the complications you might experience are described below.
Seizures
People who suffer from TBIs, including mild TBIs, might experience seizures. In most cases, a victim will experience a seizure shortly after the accident. Some victims suffer ongoing seizures in a condition known as post-traumatic epilepsy.
Hydrocephalus
Some people who suffer damage to their brains will have a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in their brains. This can place additional pressure on the brain and cause further damage, making it important for the condition to be promptly treated to remove the excess fluid.
Fever
If you have an open head injury, you might develop a high fever as your body tries to fight off pathogens. Fevers can also occur when damage to the brain’s structure occurs.
Infection
If you suffer a penetrating head injury, you might be susceptible to infections. Bacteria might enter the tissue inside of your skull and cause an infection to develop.
Blood Clots/Stroke
If your brain’s blood vessels are damaged, it can result in the formation of blood clots and a potential stroke. Blood clots can also travel to the brain from elsewhere in your body and cause strokes if you are immobilized for a long time following your injury. Each of these potential complications can be severe and result in lasting damage. Treating traumatic brain injuries can also be very expensive.
Cost Of Traumatic Brain Injuries
According to researchers at Northwestern University, a person who suffers from a TBI might face a lifetime cost ranging from $85,000 up to $3 million, depending on its severity. Overall, the annual cost of treating victims with nonfatal traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. is approximately $48 billion. These costs include the expenses involved with emergency treatment and hospitalization, surgery, ongoing treatment, rehabilitation costs, and long-term care. Many adults who suffer traumatic brain injuries also have trouble returning to work and have a high rate of unemployment.
Seeking Financial Recovery After A Motorcycle Accident/Uses Of A Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Suffering a head injury in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else can be life-altering. You should consult an experienced personal injury lawyer to have a better chance of recovering the compensation to which you should be entitled.
Some of the types of compensation you might recover include the following:
- Past and future anticipated medical costs
- Past lost wages
- Future reduction in your ability to earn an income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Disability
- Other damages
Talk To An Attorney
Suffering a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident can leave you with lasting psychological and physical disabilities. You should speak to an experienced attorney at Raynes & Lawn to learn about your legal rights. Contact us today at 1-800-535-1797 for a free case evaluation.
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