Motorcycles are notorious for being dangerous. While anyone can be a safe motorcycle rider if they take precautions and are generally a safe driver, it is other drivers causing accidents that you may have to worry about. And unfortunately, when those accidents occur, they can lead to serious injuries.
Head injuries, for example, are prevalent in motorcycle accidents. This is why wearing a helmet is so crucial. Still, even with a helmet on, you can sustain a serious head injury after a bike accident if the impact is severe enough.
In this article, we’ll discuss the dangers of motorcycle accidents and the head injuries they can cause, as well as what you should do when you sustain a head injury after a bike accident. If you have further questions after reading this and need help with your motorcycle accident case, please get in touch with our Indianapolis motorcycle accident experts at the Crossen Law Firm.
Motorcycle Head Injury Statistics
For all the joys of riding a motorcycle, there are just as many dangers. And it doesn’t matter how safe you are; if someone else is a negligent driver, they can still hit you and cause serious damage and injuries.
Unfortunately, when motorcyclists are hit, they are more vulnerable to severe injuries than those riding in other types of vehicles. This is because the body is more exposed when riding a motorcycle. Even with a helmet on, a rider can still sustain severe head trauma.
Motorcycle accidents are often a leading cause of head injury. In fact, of the thousands of motorcycle accidents that happen every year, roughly 37% of them result in head injuries—many of which lead to death.
Numerous studies have even been conducted to show the connection between motorcycle accidents and head injuries. For example, one such study showed that head injuries from motorcycle accidents are the leading cause of disability and death.
Common Motorcycle Bike Accident Head Injury
There are many different kinds of injuries a person can sustain after being hit by a car in a motorcycle accident. However, one of the most common injuries, and the one that causes the most concern, is brain trauma after a bike accident.
Traumatic brain injuries are the most common injuries diagnosed in motorcycle accident victims. Some examples of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Hematomas
- Concussions
- Contusions
- Diffuse axonal injuries
- Coup-Contrecoup injuries
In some cases, the skull can even fracture and cause damage to the brain, or objects can penetrate the skull and cause brain trauma. Though traumatic brain injuries can be mild and temporary, depending on the extent of the injury, they can also be severe, resulting in long-term complications and even death.
Some who suffer head injuries like this can experience seizures, memory problems, vision impairments, and trouble sleeping. In the worst cases, brain injury can lead to permanent damage, disability, coma, or loss of life.
What to Do For a Head Injury After a Bike Accident
Because the head injuries that result from a motorcycle accident can have such a significant impact on your life, it’s important to take certain steps following the accident to protect yourself. These steps include:
- Calling the police and ensuring an official police report is filed for evidence. Police reports are important because they help prove what happened and support your case when you file a claim to recover compensation for your injuries.
- Seeking medical attention. If you sustained a head injury in a bike accident, you should get checked out by a medical professional as soon as possible. Taking care of your health is important, but documents that show you sought treatment will also serve as evidence to help you build a strong case.
- Collecting evidence at the scene of the accident. Photos and videos from the accident scene will also help you prove what happened when you seek compensation. Of course, if you are badly injured and need emergency medical care, it’s understandable if you cannot take photos or videos. But if you can, this type of evidence can benefit your case.
- Contacting an attorney. If you are dealing with a head injury, you will want to make sure you get as much compensation as possible to help cover your injury-related expenses. You can also be compensated for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and other non-economic damages. However, there is no guarantee you will be awarded the full and fair compensation you deserve, but a motorcycle accident lawyer can help.
Consult an Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyer
At Crossen Law Firm, our team has over 20 years of experience fighting for the victims of motorcycle accidents. If you sustained a head injury in a bike accident, our team can handle the complexities of the case for you and ensure you are fairly compensated for the damages you have suffered.
Contact us today or give us a call for a free consultation at (317) 401-8626.
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