Free Consultation 

In Person | Phone | Zoom

Common Motorcycle Injuries

Motorcycles do not provide the same amount of protection as cars, which have seatbelts, airbags, and crumple zones. When an car collides with a motorcycle, the rider is usually ejected off the motorcycle.

There is little between a rider and the harsh, hard surface they fall on, such as the pavement or another car, no matter how much protective gear they wear. The following are two of the most severe—and costly—injuries that regularly occur as a consequence of motorcycle accidents:

Brain Injuries Caused by Trauma

Riders aged 21 and above are permitted to ride without a helmet under Colorado law. These riders must demonstrate that they have a minimum of $10,000 in medical insurance coverage and are at high risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI is still highly likely for individuals who opt to wear a helmet.

A TBI is defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as a bump, blow, shock, or penetrating head injury that affects normal brain function. Patients suffering from severe TBI often struggle with the following:

• Cognitive function: memory and reasoning.
• Balance and muscular weakness are examples of motor function.
• Sensation: hearing, sight, taste, and touch.
• Behavioral and emotional disturbances, such as rage and sadness.

Providing adequate care for a TBI patient is often more than their family members can accomplish independently. These individuals often need the use of a skilled nursing home facility, such as a nursing home. The typical monthly cost for such a facility is from $8,000 to more than USD 9,000.

The ongoing care expenses for a brain damage patient might quickly reach millions of dollars per year. Patients who have suffered a TBI are often unable to return to their previous jobs, leaving them financially dependent on others. TBI patients are often readmitted to the hospital, and 29 percent of patients with severe TBI suffer from drug and alcohol dependence.

Family members find it extremely difficult to watch changes in a TBI victim’s behavior and emotions. It’s heartbreaking to see someone who used to have a carefree personality suddenly become prone to violent outbursts.

Although not wearing a helmet is permitted in Colorado, the expenses of severe TBI are considerably beyond standard medical care coverage. Exploring your possibilities for taking legal action against those responsible for your loved one’s injury necessitates retaining legal counsel.

Injuries to the Spinal Cord

The spinal cord is critical in transmitting and receiving signals to and from the brain. When a person’s spinal cord is injured, their life is changed forever. Because of their paralysis, they may never be able to ride a motorcycle again.

Power chairs for mobility and house adaptations are among the expenses involved with such an accident. Cars must also be modified for accessibility, and specially adapted cars for the handicapped cost between $20,000 and $80,000, while the typical cost of a kitchen makeover for accessibility reasons is between $30,000 and $50,000.

There are two types of spinal cord injuries: complete and incomplete. When a sufferer suffers a full injury, he or she has no sensation or feeling below the damage site. An incomplete injury is when the sufferer has limited feeling and motion below the site of damage.

In any scenario, patients often need help with everyday activities. A spinal cord injury alters their way of life so that many people who sustain this sort of damage experience sadness and rage.

To maintain a paralyzed person’s muscles from atrophying, physical and other rehabilitation are often required. The patient may potentially need rehospitalization due to complications such as pneumonia.

The continual requirement for medical attention and equipment for a spinal cord injury victim’s family may be financially draining. According to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, the annual lifetime expenses of a spinal cord injury may run into millions of dollars.

Other Ailments

Burns, road rash, fractured bones, and internal injuries are just some of the catastrophic injuries that may occur in a motorcycle accident. Serious injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident might exacerbate any pre-existing medical conditions. New physicians, tests, and treatments will be added to your current medical routine. While most individuals enjoy excellent health, current back discomfort is only one example of how a motorcycle accident might exacerbate it.

Insurance companies may sometimes attempt to avoid paying your medical expenses by blaming pre-existing conditions. A personal injury lawyer understands how to deal with this technique and can make them liable for your additional injuries and misery.

When another person’s irresponsible conduct causes substantial injury to you or a loved one, you have alternatives. The most crucial consideration is your financial future. If your accident is serious enough that you cannot return to work, the burden of medical costs and missed pay may be crushing.

Discuss your case with a personal injury attorney to take control of your future. No one should have to pay out of pocket for injuries caused by the carelessness of another. A highly qualified attorney can fight for your lost future wages and possibly medical bills on your behalf.

Earnings Loss

A major motorcycle accident injury puts life as you know it to a standstill. However, although your work may be halted due to your injury, your expenses will not. In reality, your costs are just going up.

Worrying about how to pay them might keep your body from relaxing and cause the healing process to be slowed.

You may have gotten training in your profession or worked hard to get a degree for a certain vocation. When a drunk or inattentive driver hits your motorcycle, you may lose your ability to work again.

A loss of income is more than simply a financial loss. It might impact your feeling of purpose and cause you to lose professional friendships and connections. While most individuals would like to remain at home all day, no one wants to be forced to stay at home due to a catastrophic injury. During this sensitive period, many people find that mental health therapy is beneficial.

The loss of income is a major concern for patients who have suffered catastrophic injuries in motorcycle accidents. If you face a mountain of medical costs due to another driver’s irresponsibility, contact a personal injury attorney to learn about your alternatives.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Assist

An insurance company’s first settlement offer may seem to be a fantastic chance for you and your family. The fact is that most insurance agents aim to settle matters as fast and cheaply as possible. The initial offer is sometimes their lowest since they are more concerned with safeguarding the business than you.

Do not reply if an insurance agent attempts to call you. Instead, it is in your best interests to consult with an attorney. Most personal injury lawyers are well aware of the aggressive insurance companies’ techniques for getting accident victims to sign agreements.

However, insurance firms are not the only ones that are pushy. The appropriate personal injury lawyer will fight hard for the financial compensation you deserve. They should not be scared to go to trial if they are unable to achieve a fair settlement.

In addition to being active on your side, the proper attorney is sensitive toward their clients. Their prior experience with personal injury claims should have given them a good knowledge of the complex conditions that might arise from motorcycle accidents.

Once you’ve entrusted your case to a personal injury lawyer, most of them are excellent at keeping lines of communication open. You’ll never have to worry about the status of your case again.

A skilled personal injury lawyer can provide a fresh perspective on your case. They are familiar with Colorado law and how it pertains to negligence situations. It is not a smart idea to attempt to navigate the case or negotiate with the insurance company on your own. Insurance firms have greater experience, and the outcomes will disappoint you.

Medical expenses continue to rise throughout the country. The insurance company will not plan for your expected medical demands, which is why getting legal counsel is a good option.

A major motorcycle accident alters your life, and you must fight to preserve your future medical and personal requirements. Demand responsibility and fight for the justice you are entitled to.

Important Steps to Take Following a Motorcycle Accident

Even if you feel good, get quick medical treatment after a motorcycle accident. A concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI) might cause delayed symptoms. Don’t be fooled by the absence of obvious physical signs. Accept medical transport to a hospital to be on the safe side.

Collect as much evidence as possible at the spot. If you are physically unable to do so, request the assistance of a witness. If you decide to file a personal injury claim, you should have video, pictures, and contact information for any witnesses.

Make a statement to the authorities. Your statement may be used to back up your evidence and act as an official record of the accident. The officer will decide the official reason for the accident, so tell what you know rather than what you believe occurred. Simply convey the facts as they come to mind. Do not communicate with the other motorist. Stay cool and helpful with first responders to protect your best interests.

Recognize that your motorcycle is replaceable. While that specific bike was unique, if you recover enough to ride again, a new bike will very certainly become unique as well.

If your injuries are severe enough that you may never be able to ride again, fight for financial compensation to preserve your medical future.

Discuss your case with a personal injury attorney to take control of your future. No one should have to pay out of pocket for injuries caused by the carelessness of another. A highly qualified attorney can fight for your lost future wages and possibly medical bills on your behalf.

Be proactive as well as patient.

It is critical to contact an attorney as soon as possible. In Colorado, an accident victim has four years from the date of the accident to bring a lawsuit. While this may seem to be a lengthy period, it will go by fast.

Gather all of your evidence and find out how an attorney can help you with your case. By allowing an attorney to analyze your evidence, you have nothing to lose.

Some personal injury claims are settled out of court rather than going to trial. If the matter does proceed to trial, it usually does not take four years to complete. During this trying moment, hesitancy is not your friend. Using the services of an expert personal injury attorney means that they will manage the details while you concentrate on recuperating and your family.

Negotiations and lawsuits are both time-consuming. The chance to achieve a fair settlement is too vital to waste. While you may be tempted to accept the first settlement offer, do not do so. Be proactive by submitting your case to an attorney for consideration, and then be patient while you await the outcome.

Patience is also essential for your recovery, relationships, and mental wellness. Unfortunately, there is no fast remedy for major damage like a traumatic brain injury or a spinal cord injury. It is possible to adjust to a new way of life, and medical discoveries continue to enhance the quality of life for many trauma victims.

Protect your right to great medical treatment and financial stability by contacting an attorney as soon as possible. Making the initial call may set your mind at peace and start you on the right track to a better future.