Whether you ride for sporting, business, or just for personal use, motorcycling is often reliable. You can have access to areas the most vehicles cannot get to. But even for the most careful drivers, accidents still happen. Unfortunately, most motorcycle accidents result in permanent injury. Many motorcyclists suffer life-threatening injuries, and many lose their lives on the road due to others’ negligence.
Due to the risky nature of having to ride next to huge vehicles and rough terrain, accidents involving motorcycles are particularly striking. The lack of protective safety equipment makes it twice likely for riders and their passengers to suffer serious harm. Although helmets play a pivotal role in securing the rider’s head from harm during impact, there are no laws requiring motorcyclists to put them on, and many choose not to.
Because these crashes remain to be a matter of public safety concern, it’s important to understand the injuries following a motorcycle accident in Katy. Knowing what to expect and the next actions to take could be a lifesaver. Our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys have decades of experience handling these cases and have a broad understanding of what they entail.
A TBI occurs when the brain suffers trauma resulting from a head injury. When the head is shoved forcefully back-and-forth or is struck, the likelihood of suffering a traumatic brain injury increases. The severity of these injuries is dependent on factors such as whether the rider had a helmet, the type of vehicles involved, the condition of the road as well as the speed at which the motorcycle was traveling. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that motorcyclists wearing a helmet are at a lower risk of sustaining a serious TBI compared to those who don’t.
When a motorcycle veers off the road and crashes with another vehicle, it’s not uncommon for the rider to be knocked off the motorcycle. As they hit the ground, it’s very common for some of their body parts such as the legs and arms to be forced into an unnatural position. This often results in fractures and broken bones. They can occur anywhere but are very common on limbs.
A road rash is a type of burn injury to the skin that occurs when a body part is scratched against the asphalt or roadway. They are most common in scenarios where the rider is thrown off their motorcycle and skids along the roadway before coming to a halt. Although they can be minor, these injuries are extremely painful. Some require skin grafting to reverse the damage done. Others are permanent, causing scarring.
The spinal cord is among the most important yet sensitive parts of the body. If it suffers any kind of blow or trauma, the aftermath can be devastating. The victim may suffer permanent or temporary disability depending on the area of the injury. Treatment for severe cases of spinal cord injury is very expensive. You should speak with an experienced Katy spinal cord injury attorney to establish whether you have a viable compensation claim.
Whether a motorcyclist falls off their bike or collides with another vehicle, suffering internal organ damage is always possible. These types of injuries can be life-threatening since they are not visible and sometimes not obvious. If not noted on time, you may be at risk of further harm or even death. Internal bleeding is very common in such cases. Some of the most common body parts that may be at risk include:
Whiplash occurs when your body is suddenly jolted in ways it should not be. This normally occurs in the area surrounding the neck. In case you experience pain or a sense of discomfort in this area, it’s likely that you suffered a whiplash. Fortunately, these injuries may not be as life-threatening, and may only take a few days or weeks to heal with the help of physical therapy.
If you suffered injuries following a motorcycle accident in Katy, you should retain a skilled lawyer from our firm to review the details of your case. If it’s established that your injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may qualify for compensation. To get us started on helping you get the justice you deserve, call us today.
