What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Common Injuries from WNC Motorcycle Accidents
& How They Can Ruin the Rest of Your Life

Western North Carolina is a popular destination for motorcyclists because of the beautiful mountain views that can be seen on rides such as the “Tail of the Dragon” and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The scenic views of the Smoky Mountains are, unfortunately, too often the site of devastating wrecks with catastrophic injuries.

So, because of someone else’s negligence, motorcycle accidents that are not fatal are often life threatening, debilitating and can cause permanent damage.

And among the many injuries motorcycle accidents cause, nearly all can have lasting consequences.

 

 

Motorcyclists are Hurt the Most

Motorcyclists face a higher chance of severe injury if a motorcycle crash occurs. Motorcycles account for only 3% of registered vehicles, yet they make up nearly 14% of all traffic-related fatalities each year in the United States.

Statistics show that motorcycle wrecks are usually not the fault of the motorcyclist but are instead the fault of the driver of the other vehicle or truck.

A motorcyclist’s injuries can cause lifelong pain, suffering and result in ongoing medical care. Consequently, having the help of an experienced lawyer can make a huge difference in recovery and quality of life for the injured and their loved ones who are often left as a caretaker.

Musculoskeletal System Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Musculoskeletal injuries involve muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments. They are especially common in motorcycle accident victims.

Some common examples are broken bones, limb amputations, severe burns (road rash), spinal cord injuries and joint injuries.

These types of injuries can drastically affect motor skills and your ability to perform standard tasks. Often times these kind of injuries require surgery.

The surgeries may require metal and screws to be permanently put inside your body which in turn will forever impact the way your body moves and functions and limit your activities.

One Motorcycle Crash Can Affect the Rest of Your Life

Lifelong injuries can cause other medical issues over time. So, someone suffering a spinal cord injury can develop respiratory problems much later.

Also, victims suffering a brain injury can appear perfectly normal, but may face debilitating, lifelong issues.

Consequently, these conditions can include chronic headaches, memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. And such injuries make it nearly impossible to keep a job or even hold long term personal relationships.

Impairments

Not all permanent disabilities are visible. Many accidents cause “invisible” impairments that can affect day-to-day life.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are quite common in motorcycle crashes and other accidents that inflict brain trauma.

Numerous studies illustrate how traumatic brain injuries affect the person on a cellular level. And these debilitating problems substantially increase the likelihood of future cognitive problems.

TBIs can be devastating and truly life-altering, with symptoms like:

• Chronic headaches
• Unconsciousness
• Extreme fatigue
• Disrupted sleep
  Confusion
• Incoordination
• Numbness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Mood swings
• Impaired speech
• Worsened motor skills
• Cognitive impairment

Non-visible permanent injuries can also include other neurological disorders, hearing impairment, vision changes or loss, speech damage, mental functions, and emotional or psychological suffering.

 

Disfigurement

Scarring is one of the most common permanent residual injuries. Scarring can result from the original injury or subsequent medical treatment. Scarring, burns, and disfigurement not only cause cosmetic issues; they can cause inflexibility, loss of mobility and chronic pain.

Social biases unfortunately still exist when it comes to determining compensation for scarring, burns and disfigurement. Even though insurance adjusters are supposed to be unbiased, certain prejudices can affect the outcome of your settlement.

The most common prejudices are related to age and gender. For instance, insurance companies may offer less money to a male than a woman who has an identical scar. In another scenario, a young single woman may receive more compensation than an older married woman with the same disfigurement.

Your personal injury attorney can help you confront these biases to get you the compensation you deserve.

Insurance Companies Can Devalue Even Permanent Motorcycle Injuries

Permanent injuries can result in a myriad of damages from short-term medical treatment to long-term therapies, and from a change in physical abilities to the inability to work for the rest of your life.

Regardless of the permanency of the injuries, insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible. An experienced attorney, however, can help you fight for the compensation you need to deal with your injuries for the rest of your life.

Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Here at Fisher Stark P.A., we are experienced motorcycle accident attorneys serving Asheville and the surrounding Western North Carolina areas.

We help our clients recover monetary compensation for their medical bills, pain and suffering, human losses, and loss of income. The personal injury legal team at Fisher Stark, P.A. understands the law regarding motorcycle accidents. We are trial attorneys that will prepare your case in order to pursue full and fair compensation for your injuries.

Most attorneys offer a free consultation to discuss a potential case. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, we invite you to call us to see if we can help you.  Let our experience go to work for you. Call us today for a free case evaluation at 828-505-4300.