Motorcycles offer freedom on the open road, but they also come with significant risks. Riders do not have the same protection as drivers in passenger vehicles, which means even a minor motorcycle accident can result in serious injuries.
Understanding the most common motorcycle injuries is important for victims and their families when pursuing a personal injury claim in Charles County, MD. Read on to learn more about common motorcycle injuries and how they could affect a personal injury claim in Maryland.
Head and Brain Injuries
Head injuries are among the most devastating of motorcycle injuries. While helmets reduce the risk of trauma, they cannot prevent it. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur when the brain is violently shaken inside the skull. Symptoms range from headaches and dizziness to memory loss, mood swings, and permanent cognitive impairment.
Victims may require surgery, rehabilitation, and help with daily tasks. The severity of these injuries often requires extensive medical documentation and expert testimony.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Motorcycle crashes often throw riders from their bikes, causing severe trauma to the back and spine. Spinal cord injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, changing a person’s life forever. Even less severe injuries, such as herniated discs or fractured vertebrae, can leave victims with chronic pain and reduced mobility.
These injuries require costly treatment and often permanently reduce (or destroy) earning capacity, leading to substantial lost income and a higher valuation of damages. Because of the seriousness of spinal injuries, insurance companies may fight aggressively to limit payouts.
Road Rash
Road rash occurs when a rider forcefully scrapes across the pavement. This injury may sound minor, but it often involves deep skin abrasions that can lead to infections, nerve damage, and permanent scarring. Victims with severe road rash often require skin grafts and extensive medical care.
Expensive medical treatment can increase the valuation of economic damages. Visible scars and disfigurement can add non-economic damages to the claim as well.
Broken Bones
Riders frequently suffer fractures of their arms, legs, ribs, and collarbones during motorcycle crashes. These injuries may require casting, surgery, or the insertion of metal rods and plates to stabilize the bone. While broken bones generally heal over time, they often result in lost income during recovery. Some fractures cause permanent weakness or limited motion.
Internal Injuries
The force of impact in a motorcycle crash can cause internal injuries to organs such as the liver, kidneys, or lungs that can be life-threatening if not treated quickly. Internal bleeding is especially dangerous, as symptoms may not appear until hours after an accident.
These injuries typically require emergency surgery and lengthy hospital stays. Because internal injuries can be difficult to detect, riders should always seek immediate medical attention after a crash, even if they feel fine. Medical records documenting these injuries are also essential for claims.
Leg and Knee Injuries
Leg injuries are very common in motorcycle accidents since the lower body often takes the brunt of the impact. Riders may suffer broken legs, crushed knees, or torn ligaments that can restrict mobility and may require surgery and extensive physical therapy.
Leg and knee injuries can also prevent victims from returning to their previous jobs, leading to financial hardship. A personal injury claim can account for lost income and ongoing treatment costs. Proving the long-term impact of these injuries requires thorough medical evidence.
Shoulder and Arm Injuries
When a crash occurs, riders may instinctively throw their arms out to protect themselves. This can cause broken wrists, fractured elbows, or torn shoulder ligaments. These injuries can limit a person’s ability to work and may also require surgery and months of rehabilitation. In some cases, victims are left with permanent weakness or restricted motion.
Compensation claims often include both medical expenses and the potential impact on a person’s ability to earn a living.
Facial Injuries
Even with a helmet, motorcyclists can suffer facial injuries if they hit the ground or another vehicle. These injuries may include broken noses, fractured cheekbones, jaw injuries, or damage to the eyes. Facial trauma can require reconstructive surgery and may leave lasting scars. Disfigurement is physically painful and emotionally difficult, often affecting self-esteem and quality of life.
Psychological Injuries
Motorcycle accidents are traumatic experiences, and the emotional impact should not be overlooked. Victims may develop anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder that can interfere with daily life.
Psychological injuries often require counseling and may form part of a broader personal injury claim. Emotional suffering is a very real consequence of motorcycle crashes and can increase the valuation of non-economic damages.
Legal Considerations for Motorcycle Injuries in Maryland
Maryland law allows recovery for both economic and non-economic damages, though its strict contributory negligence standard means a rider found even 1% at fault for an accident may be barred from recovering compensation, and non-economic damages are capped. Proving the other party’s complete negligence is crucial.
Given the complexity, these claims often lead to significant settlements, but litigation may be necessary if a fair agreement isn’t reached. Maryland law typically allows three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline could mean losing the right to recover damages in court.
Maryland’s laws make it especially important to secure strong legal representation. A skilled Charles County personal injury attorney can mean the difference between a denied claim and fair compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Contact Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation With Our Charles County Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
Motorcycle accidents can lead to various injuries, from broken bones and road rash to brain trauma and paralysis. The strict contributory negligence standard and short filing deadlines in Maryland can add another layer of difficulty to an already challenging recovery process.
With the help of a Charles County personal injury lawyer, it is possible to navigate these challenges. Call Alpert Schreyer Personal Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation. Let our Charles County motorcycle accident lawyers help you pursue the compensation you need to rebuild.