Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries | Belt, Bruner & Barnett P.C.

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Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Many people enjoy the freedom of riding motorcycles. However, another motorist’s negligence can greatly enhance the danger of serious injury. Because of the nature of these accidents, motorcycle accident injuries can be catastrophic and change a person’s life.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, contact an Alabama motorcycle injury lawyer at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. Our attorneys have significant experience representing people injured in motorcycle accidents and fighting for the maximum available compensation for their losses.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

The types of injury a rider can sustain in an accident are innumerable, but certain injuries are more common than others. Common types of motorcycle accident injuries include:

  • Leg and Feet Injuries — A significant number of non-fatal motorcycle injuries happen to the legs and feet. This may be because a rider’s legs are often struck in a collision or their feet and legs are the first body part to hit the ground if they fall to the side. Injuries can include broken bones, dislocated knees, and road rash. To prevent these types of injuries, riders should wear protective boots and a tough, thick fabric on their legs, which is why riders often wear leather.
  • Road Rash — The term road rash describes abrasions and lacerations a rider sustains when they slide against pavement or gravel. It’s a very common injury for motorcycle riders, and it can range from minor to severe. A first-degree road rash reddens the skin but does not require medical attention other than care at home. A person with second-degree road rash has broken skin. This needs more care, but not necessarily the emergency room. Third-degree road rash is serious because multiple layers of skin have been broken. A rider with extreme road rash should seek medical attention right away to reduce the risk of infection. The best way to protect against road rash is to wear the proper gear.
  • Head and Neck Injuries — Injuries to a person’s head and neck are extremely common non-fatal motorcycle accident injuries. Riders can suffer whiplash, which can injure the muscles and ligaments in the neck. They can also suffer fractured bones in their neck, face, or skull. Additionally, without a helmet, the rider is more likely to end up with head wounds, such as lacerations on the face or a fractured skull.
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries — Riders, with and without helmets, can suffer mild to severe traumatic brain injuries. A mild brain injury may be relatively easy to recover from, but moderate to severe TBIs often come with long-term consequences, such as changes in mental and physical capabilities. Severe TBIs can result in coma and death. Properly designed and worn helmets can protect a person from head, neck, and brain injuries. Alabama has a universal helmet law, which means riders of all ages must wear a helmet with a solid exterior and chinstrap.
  • Broken Bones — Whether the rider wipes out because of their own driving or they’re in a collision with another vehicle, broken bones are likely. Riders often hurt their hands, arms, feet, legs, and ribs. The severity of the broken bone depends on the situation, but fractures can require surgery and physical therapy before the rider can head back to work or get back on their bike.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries — Riders can suffer serious back injuries in motorcycle accidents, including fractured vertebrae. Many back injuries require surgery, physical rehabilitation, and time away from work. Damage to the spinal cord can result in paralysis below the injury site.

Long-term Consequences of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Many motorcycle accident injuries lead to long-term impairments or disability. Injuries to limbs and extremities can reduce a person’s physical capabilities. If a rider had a physically demanding job, they may be off work for a significant period of time or be unable to return to this career at all.

Many of the effects of a traumatic brain injury can make it difficult for a person to live independently. Injury to a person’s brain can alter their sensation, emotions, thinking, and language. Riders who sustain a moderate to severe TBI may no longer be able to consistently balance well, which means they are unlikely to get back on their bike. Their friends and family may notice changes in their personality, such as depression or aggressive behavior. They may have difficulty speaking or expressing themselves clearly. TBI sufferers can also have memory issues.

Potential Damages

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another rider or someone in a passenger vehicle or truck, then you may be able to bring a claim against that person in court. If your attorney can show that the other person’s negligence was the cause of your injuries, than you may be able to recover:

  • Medical expenses including hospitalization, medications, rehabilitation, and more
  • Home renovations for a disability
  • Lost wages
  • Disability
  • Disfigurement
  • Pain and suffering

The exact amount of your settlement can’t be predicted because a number of factors can determine non-economic damages. You can show the amount of your medical bills and lost wages, but there’s discretion in compensating you for your pain.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

If you were in a motorcycle accident, call the experienced Alabama injury attorneys at Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. right away. We have more than six decades of combined experience in investigating and trying these types of cases. We understand the evidence needed to prove the defendant’s negligent behavior as well as how to demonstrate to a judge or jury that the negligent action was the cause of your injuries.

Our lawyers want to get you the maximum available compensation for your case so you can move on with your life. Call 205-933-1500 for a free consultation to learn what Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. can do for you. With offices in Birmingham, Mobile, Huntsville, and Montgomery, our motorcycle accident lawyers will travel to the location most convenient to you.

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