Riding a motorcycle can be liberating and freeing, although it can also be very dangerous, as drivers on the road are not always attentive, and the conditions of the road can make it dangerous for even the safest motorcyclist. Read on to learn about common injuries from motorcycle accidents and how a Plano motorcycle accident attorney can help you advocate for the best damages possible in your accident.

Head, Neck, and Back Injuries are Common in Motorcycle Accidents

Occupants of a passenger vehicle are surrounded by a steel chassis and generally wearing seat belts, while a motorcyclist has none of these protections. When colliding with a vehicle, the impact commonly causes head, neck, and back injuries because a motorcyclist is so exposed. While a helmet can protect against many injuries to the head, it cannot protect you 100 percent of the time. In addition, the trauma of being struck by a motor vehicle can still cause significant damage to the soft tissues of the neck and back, including to the spinal cord.

Other injuries might include:

  • Crushed limbs or amputations
  • Road rash or friction burns
  • Lacerations and contusions
  • Internal organ damage and hemorrhaging

All of these injuries need immediate medical treatment, and they might cause lasting problems for accident victims.

Traumatic Brain Injuries to Motorcyclists

If you hit your head in a motorcycle accident, it is important to watch out for the symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This is a common and highly serious injury to motorcyclists. TBI can result from even a slight blow to the head and can range in severity depending on the damage to your brain.

In mild TBIs, the symptoms generally last for a number of weeks or months and can include minor changes in behavior, sleep patterns, cognitive problems, and balance. Moderate TBIs have more significant symptoms, including substantial changes in behavior, difficulty sleeping or concentrating, depression, slurred speech, memory problems, and shifts in mental health. The symptoms of moderate TBI generally subside within a year following the accident, but can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life and earnings ability for some time.

Severe TBI symptoms include bouts of unconsciousness, imbalance, clear liquid discharge from the nose and eyes, memory loss, and more. If any of these symptoms appear after your accident, you need immediate medical attention. Brain injuries can have substantial long-term impacts on your life and your livelihood, no matter whether the injury was labeled as “mild” or “severe.”

Discuss Your Situation with a Plano Motorcycle Accident Attorney Now

If you or a loved one has experienced a brain injury or another serious injury in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and more. Contacting a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible will ensure that the right evidence is collected to best support your case.

Reach out to the Law Office of Joel M. Vecchio, P.C., to schedule a free consultation to discuss available options on your case today.