5 Common Types of Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Drivers searching for a motorcycle accident lawyer Silver Spring MD can provide may be facing severe injuries after a serious crash. At Cohen & Cohen, we find it our duty to protect the interests of motorcyclists who have been injured because of another driver’s mistake.
At our firm, we believe that motorcyclists have every right to drive on the same city streets and highways as passenger cars and commercial trucks — and to know that if they are involved in a serious accident, they can seek monetary damages to cover necessary medical bills.
Nevertheless, as a good motorcycle accident lawyer Silver Spring MD has to offer may agree, prevention is key when it comes to lowering the risk of accident injuries. Knowing about the common types of injuries that may result from a motorcycle accident can be one of the best ways that riders can protect themselves on the road.
1. Head, Neck, and Brain Injuries
Injuries affecting the head, neck, and brain are very common in motorcycle accidents, as any experienced motorcycle accident lawyer Silver Spring MD can provide may attest. Helmets can provide invaluable protection against head injuries, but it is important for riders to remember that helmets cannot guarantee 100% protection in every single case. Even while wearing a helmet, it is possible for a motorcyclist to sustain a traumatic brain injury.
When an individual experiences a strong blunt force to the head — which can happen when a rider is thrown off his or her bike and hits the ground — it is possible for the skull to crack. The brain can also begin hemorrhaging and brain tissue can be damaged. Even minor concussions can potentially have long-lasting damage.
According to the Center for Brain Health, short-term brain injury symptoms may include dizziness, blurred vision, headaches, and seizures. Long-term symptoms can potentially include any of the following:
- Memory problems
- Inability to concentrate
- Inability to plan and organize
- Intense emotional flares (especially involving anger or aggression)
- Substantial changes in personality
- Impairment in language skills, ranging from mild to severe
2. Eye Injuries
Outside of the obvious injuries that can result from blunt force trauma to the ocular region during an accident, eye injuries can also occur as as secondary symptom from general head injuries. For instance, if the brain begins to swell after trauma, it can create pressure within the skull and can lead to an amalgam of injuries. Specifically, injuries to the eye, especially as a result of a traumatic brain injury, often focus on the optic nerve. This nerve “connects” each eye to the brain and allow us to process and identify images. When the brain swells up, it can create an intense pressure within the skull and pinch the optic nerve. Hemorrhaging may also occur in and around the eyes. If these injuries are not treated by a medical professional, there is a risk of developing permanent loss of vision.
Riders searching for a motorcycle accident lawyer Silver Spring MD can offer should know that these indirect injuries may still be covered in an injury claim settlement.
3. Ear Injuries
The ears may also be affected during a motorcycle accident. Although these injuries may not be the most high-profile injuries that result from a motorcycle accident, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer Silver Spring MD can provide may see several cases involving ear injuries.
The eardrum is one muscle in the ear that may sustain a great deal of damage in a crash. Wearing a helmet can provide a motorcyclist with basic protection, but many riders believe that it offers very little protection for the ears; some riders may even argue that a helmet increases the amount of sound a rider experiences.
In the event of a crash, amplified sounds can cause an eardrum to burst, which may lead to permanent deafness. Even a minor injury to the ears can cause temporary hearing loss; it is common for individuals involved in car accidents to note that they have a “ringing” in their ears. This may go away on its own, but if it requires medical treatment, the costs can be very high.
4. Road Rash
“Road rash” is the term used to describe widespread injury to the exterior skin when a motorcyclist slides across a stretch of pavement. Because motorcycles provide virtually no barrier to keep riders from being thrown from their vehicle, even a minor accident can leave a motorcyclist with severe road rash. A seasoned motorcycle accident lawyer in Silver Spring MD who has handled many motorcycle cases will probably have seen several involving road rash injuries.
When an individual experiences road rash, depending on the severity of this injury, intensive medical treatment may be required and permanent disfigurement is a very real possibility. Mild scrapes can lead to infections and skin irritation; severe scraping can actually cause lasting nerve damage to the surface layer of skin.
If the accident occurs on a road or in a parking lot where there is loose gravel, pieces of rock may have to be surgically removed from the skin. These injuries may be very expensive to treat. Contacting a Silver Spring MD motorcycle accident lawyer to file an injury claim can potentially help cover the costs.
5. Leg and Foot Injuries
According to one survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motorcyclists reported injuries to feet or legs more often than any other type of injury. While these injuries may not be fatal, they can still be severe enough to require extensive medical treatment and may even be permanently disabling. When an injury is severe enough to be permanently disabling, the injured rider may find that it is a good idea to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer Silver Spring MD drivers trust.
Fractured or shattered bones are possible, and injuries affecting the knee can create long-lasting medical problems. It is also possible for riders to experience severe burns on their legs if the skin comes in contact with certain parts of the motorcycle.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Silver Spring MD Trusts
At Cohen & Cohen, we do not take motorcycle accidents lightly. We understand that these accidents can have traumatic consequences for injured riders. If you or someone you love has experienced any of the injuries listed above, don’t hesitate to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer Silver Spring MD residents know and trust.
