Daytona Beach Motorcycle Accident Injuries & Injury Prevention

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle riders are more susceptible to injury in the event of an accident than are drivers of other motor vehicles. This is because motorcycles lack the safety features characteristic of other vehicles, such as a protective metal frame, seatbelts, and airbags. Over 80% of all traffic accidents involving motorcycles result in injury or death to motorcycle riders. In addition, motorcyclists have a heightened risk of suffering serious or catastrophic injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and internal lacerations or bleeding, as a result of a Florida motorcycle crash. These serious injuries take longer to heal, which can pose a significant financial and emotional crisis to an injured rider. The following is a brief discussion of some of the most serious injuries motorcyclists can sustain when involved in crashes.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain is damaged as a result of a sudden physical trauma, such as the impact experienced in a motor vehicle accident. TBI can cause either "penetrating" or "closed" head injuries. Penetrating head injuries occur when some foreign object pierces the skull and lodges in the brain. Closed head injuries develop when, in an accident, the force of impact causes the brain to accelerate forward, backward, or to one side inside the skull. The brain then impacts against the interior of the skull when the head is suddenly decelerated. Closed head injuries present unique challenges in litigation since patients will often demonstrate no obvious external symptoms of injury, even though the damage to the brain can be severe.

Some symptoms of TBI may include concussion, seizure, headache, dizziness, inability to concentrate, loss of memory, and even anxiety and depression. An attorney must have a thorough understanding of the symptoms of TBI in order to adequately present a case for damages to the jury. An experienced Florida motorcycle attorney can ensure that you undergo a CT or MRI scan in order to reveal any undetected brain injuries that occurred as a result of the accident.

Disfigurement

Often, Florida motor vehicle accidents can result in disfigurement to motorcyclists. Road rash – which occurs when the body scrapes against asphalt or other rough surfaces – burns, cuts, amputations, and other injuries may leave motorcycle riders permanently or temporarily disfigured as a result of a motorcycle accident. Scarring and disfigurement can cause emotional trauma and create discomfort in social settings, even requiring emotional counseling in the most severe cases.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when the spinal cord is damaged in an accident, thereby resulting in a loss of sensation and/or motor function. Some of the most tragic and debilitating injuries in Florida motorcycle accidents are spinal cord injuries. In fact, over 7% of all SCI in the U.S. occurs in motorcycle crashes. Some victims are rendered paraplegic or quadriplegic, losing motor function of their limbs or extremities for the rest of their lives. SCI victims may require full-time care, making it impossible to ever work again. Victims of SCI are never able to fully enjoy once-loved activities or perform daily tasks on their own.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Fractures and broken bones are painful injuries that may result in significant loss of earnings, substantial medical bills, and extreme physical pain or discomfort. These types of injuries often require surgery and weeks or even months of rehabilitation and physical therapy. Even a healed fracture can cause a reduction in motor function, resulting in an inability to participate in the same activities you engaged in before the accident.

Burns

Burns are some of the most painful injuries anyone can endure. Burn injuries often require a series of painful surgeries and extended medical treatment, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. These injuries often result in permanent scarring and may require repeated skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, prolonged rehabilitative therapy, occupational therapy, and emotional counseling.

Fatal Injuries

The most serious motorcycle accidents often result in death to motorcycle riders. In these cases, a wrongful death lawsuit may be appropriate. If your loved one dies as a result injuries incurred in a Florida motorcycle accident, contact an experienced Florida motorcycle accident attorney to discuss the possibility of a wrongful death suit. The purpose of a wrongful death suit is to provide relief to family members who have been injured emotionally and financially as a result of the death of a loved one.

Injury Prevention Tips

Simple safety precautions can mean the difference between a minor injury and a serious injury if you are involved in a motorcycle crash. The following list offers tips that may help prevent serious motorcycle injuries:

Always wear a helmet. Helmets are your best defense against serious or fatal brain injuries. The best defense against injury is wearing a helmet equipped with eye and face protection.
Wear protective clothing, such as long pants, boots, gloves, and a long-sleeved jacket to prevent your skin from being exposed to asphalt. Reflective clothing is recommended.
Make sure you get a motorcycle license.
Never operate a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Diligently obey traffic laws, including posted speed limits. Forty percent of motorcycle accident deaths were caused by speeding.
Be alert for road hazards and distracted drivers.
Always turn on your headlight.
Ensure that all passengers who ride with you wear a helmet and suitable protective clothing.
Make sure your passenger always sits behind you on the motorcycle.
The passenger’s feet should be able to touch the footrests during the entire ride, even during stops.
Start the motorcycle before allowing passengers to get on.
Instruct your passengers how to lean into a turn.
Passengers should hold on to the operator's waist at all times.
Passengers should avoid any contact with the muffler to prevent burns to their legs.
Passengers should be instructed to keep their movements and talking to a minimum.

It is important to note that even safety-conscious riders can be seriously injured, however. If you have sustained injuries in a Palm Coast or Daytona Beach motorcycle accident, consult with an experienced Daytona Beach motorcycle accident attorney to ensure that you are fully compensated for all of your injuries.

Automobile insurance companies will often attempt to settle out of court quickly while victims are still suffering from the trauma of a Florida motorcycle accident. Vasilaros & Politis, P.A., is experienced with the complex issues involved in Daytona Beach, Deland, Deltona, Flagler, Lake Mary, Orlando, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast and Port Orange motorcycle accident cases and can assist you in receiving full compensation for your injuries. Call the Daytona Beach, Deland, Deltona, Flagler, Lake Mary, Orlando, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast and Port Orange motorcycle accident lawyers at Vasilaros & Politis, P.A. now at 1-800-351-0911 or fill out our FREE CASE REVIEW FORM. The initial consultation is free of charge, and if our Daytona Beach motorcycle accident attorneys agree to accept your case, we will work on a contingent fee basis, which means we get paid for our services only if there is a monetary award or recovery of funds. Don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a Daytona Beach, Deland, Deltona, Flagler, Lake Mary, Orlando, Ormond Beach, Palm Coast or Port Orange motorcycle accident lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.

The above is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific case and the relevant law. See Terms of Use.