Motorcycle accidents often lead to serious, life-changing injuries. Unlike drivers in passenger vehicles, there is little standing between you and oncoming traffic when you are riding a motorcycle. A collision will not only result in an impact from the vehicle that strikes you, but there is typically a secondary impact when you hit the ground. Either of these events could cause devastating injuries.
Understanding the types of injuries that can occur helps if you are considering legal action after a crash. At Hammerhead Motorcycle Law, our team of experienced Dallas motorcycle injuries lawyers can help you seek justice for all of your injuries.
Injuries That Can Occur in a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accident injuries can range from moderate to catastrophic. When the accident is the result of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation. Some of the most common injuries in a motorcycle accident injury case include the following:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are one of the most serious injuries linked to a motorcycle wreck. Even with a helmet, the force of impact can damage the brain in multiple ways. TBIs are never minor, but some of these injuries are more serious than others.
A concussion is the most common form of TBI and may cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, and sensitivity to light or noise. More severe injuries include contusions, which involve bruising of the brain, and diffuse axonal injuries, where the brain shifts and tears nerve fibers. These more serious TBIs can lead to long-term impairment or loss of consciousness.
The symptoms of a TBI are not always easy to spot, and they can take time to manifest as well. Over the months following an accident, you might notice difficulty concentrating, mood changes, or chronic headaches. These injuries can even lead to sleep disruptions and unexplained changes to your personality.
Because brain injuries can worsen without treatment, you should seek medical care right away after a crash. You’re more likely to fully recover from a TBI if you treat it immediately.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are another life-altering consequence of a motorcycle accident. Your spinal cord controls movement and sensation throughout your body, so any damage to it can affect even the most basic bodily functions. Spinal cord injuries are especially common when your spine is twisted, compressed, or struck with considerable force.
Paralysis injuries may be partial or complete. With partial paralysis, you may retain some movement or sensation below the injured area. Alternatively, your condition might come and go, leaving you with occasional control over the affected parts of your body. With complete paralysis, there is a total loss of movement and sensation below the injury site. This can result in conditions such as paraplegia, which affects the lower body, or quadriplegia, which affects both the arms and legs.
These injuries are typically permanent, and they require extensive ongoing medical care. Because of the lasting impact on independence and quality of life, spinal cord injuries are often a central factor in serious injury claims.
Road Rash
Road rash occurs when your skin scrapes against the pavement during a fall or slide. While some cases are minor, severe road rash can remove multiple layers of skin, leading to infections, nerve damage, and permanent scarring. Treatment may require skin grafts and extensive wound care.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are very common in motorcycle accidents because your body absorbs much of the impact. When a crash happens, you may be thrown from the bike or instinctively brace yourself, which can put significant stress on certain parts of your body.
The arms and wrists often fracture first because riders use their hands to break a fall. The collarbone is another common injury due to its position near the shoulder and its limited ability to absorb force. Legs and knees are also vulnerable, especially when the motorcycle falls onto you or you collide with another vehicle. In more serious crashes, the ribs may fracture from blunt force, which can also affect breathing and increase the risk of internal injury.
Some fractures are straightforward and heal with time, while others are more complex and require surgery, hardware placement, and rehabilitation. Multiple fractures can extend recovery and interfere with your ability to work or handle daily tasks.
Internal Injuries
Blunt force trauma can also damage internal organs such as the lungs or kidneys. One of the major risks in a serious accident is that you could have internal injuries without realizing it, especially when internal bleeding is involved.
Amputations
In some cases, severe motorcycle accidents can result in the loss of a limb. This may occur during the crash or later due to complications such as an infection. Amputations often require prosthetics and long-term medical care, and they can significantly affect your ability to work.
Facial Injuries
A motorcycle accident can cause serious damage to the face, including fractures, lacerations, and dental injuries. These injuries may require reconstructive surgery and can lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement, which can affect both physical health and emotional well-being.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Not all injuries are immediately visible. Some wounds to your muscles and tendons lie below the surface of your skin, but they can cause major pain and limited mobility. What makes these injuries especially challenging is that they can take months to heal on their own, and they can even require surgery.
Burn Injuries
In some accidents, fuel leaks can lead to fires or even explosions. Any contact with this extreme heat can leave you with burns that cover a large portion of your body. Severe burns are more than just painful, as they can cause permanent scarring and increase the risk of infection.
How Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen? Our Dallas Motorcycle Injury Lawyers Explain
Motorcycle accidents often result from preventable mistakes by other motorists, but a range of other factors may also be involved. Some common causes include the following:
Driver Inattention
Many drivers fail to notice motorcycles, especially at intersections or in heavy traffic. A moment of distraction can lead to a serious crash.
Left-Turn Collisions
Drivers making left turns often misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or distance. These crashes are common and can result in direct impact.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Failing to check blind spots can cause a driver to move into a motorcycle’s path. Because motorcycles are smaller, they are easier to overlook.
Speeding and Reckless Driving
Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of a crash. Reckless behavior makes it harder to avoid collisions.
Driving Under the Influence
Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and coordination. Impaired drivers are more likely to cause serious accidents.
Hazardous Road Conditions
Potholes, debris, and uneven pavement can cause a motorcycle to lose control. These hazards are more dangerous for motorcycles than for cars.
Compensation for Your Injuries
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic damages cover financial costs tied to the accident, while non-economic damages address how the injury affects your daily life. Common types of compensation include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical care
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
It may not be possible to pinpoint exactly what your case will ultimately settle for, but our Dallas motorcycle injury lawyers can help you understand the types of damages that might be available.
Why It’s Important to Work With an Attorney
Working with our Dallas motorcycle injury lawyers can make a major difference in what compensation you recover. They can ensure you file your case on time and help you avoid legal pitfalls you never knew existed. Some of the primary ways your attorney will is by:
- Investigating the accident
- Gathering evidence
- Identifying liable parties
- Handling insurance companies
- Valuing your claim
- Negotiating settlements
- Preparing for trial
Insurance companies are focused on limiting what they pay, but our attorneys will work tirelessly to help you get what you deserve.
Reach Out to the Dallas Motorcycle Injury Lawyers at Hammerhead Motorcycle Law Today
If you are living with a serious injury following a motorcycle accident, it’s time to explore your legal options. You have the right to seek financial compensation from any party responsible for your crash. Reach out as soon as possible to discuss your options with Hammerhead Motorcycle Law. Our Dallas motorcycle injury lawyers look forward to answering your questions during a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a motorcycle injury claim in Dallas?
You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit.
What happens if I am unable to work due to my injuries?
You may recover compensation for lost wages if you are unable to work after a motorcycle accident. You can also seek compensation for your reduced future earnings.
How long does a motorcycle injury lawsuit usually take?
It depends on the complexity of the case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve in months, while others may take longer.