Motorcycles inherently are more dangerous in comparison to cars. They account for only 3 percent of all registered vehicles, with nearly 9 million motorcycles on the roads in and across the country. Yet, they have a higher number of accidents resulting in fatalities and severe injuries.
The most common causes for motorcycle accidents in the US include left turns, speeding, driving under the influence, and motorcycle defects. If the rider is not wearing a helmet and experiences an accident, it puts them at a high risk of brain injuries such as TBI.
TBI—What is it?
TBI is a Traumatic Brain Injury. This injury occurs due to a blow to the head where the head may violently or suddenly hit an object, or an object pierces through the skull, entering brain tissue. It disrupts brain functioning.
We classify traumatic brain injury into three categories:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Serious
The type of injury that the motorcycle accident victim incurs depends on the severity and the extent of brain damage. For example, mild cases of TBI may experience a brief change in their consciousness or mental health. However, in moderate and severe TBI cases, the victim goes through extended periods of unconsciousness. They may go into a coma and sometimes even die.
While treatment for mild traumatic brain injury cases may include medication and bed rest, severe traumatic injuries are likely to require life-saving surgeries and intensive care. Also, those who survive from a severe traumatic brain injury can experience lasting effects on their mental and physical abilities, personality, and emotions. Rehabilitation is also a crucial aspect of recovery and relearning skills that may be affected by TBI.
From hospitalization to surgeries, intensive care, and rehabilitation, all this can put a substantial financial burden on you. Missed workdays can lead to loss of income. In such a situation, it is best to file a personal injury claim. For help pursuing full and fair compensation, contact us.
At The Law Office of Jason E. Taylor, P.C., we have a team of experienced, knowledgeable, and skilled attorneys who can provide you with step-by-step legal assistance. Our personal injury attorneys will fight for you to be promptly and fairly compensated for injuries and losses incurred.
Alarming Statistics About Traumatic Brain Injury
Here are some crucial statistics about traumatic brain injury:
- Every year approximately 1.7 million cases of traumatic brain injury occur in the United States
- Nearly 5.3 million individuals live with a disability as a result of traumatic brain injury
- Hospitalizations for TBI each year are 235,000. This figure is 20 times higher than the hospitalizations for spinal injuries.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI can affect the victim both physically and psychologically. Some symptoms may be prominent right after the motorcycle accident, while others may be visible days and sometimes weeks later. But if you want to file a personal injury claim, it is advisable to get a proper diagnosis right after the accident.
It is best not to wait days until you feel pain or TBI symptoms begin to show. This is because if you report pain or symptoms of an injury several days after the accident, the insurance adjuster is likely to deny your claim.
The insurance adjuster will be in a stronger position to defend their position of denying your claim by stating that the injury may have occurred due to another accident.
Therefore, if you are injured in a motorcycle accident, get a proper checkup. The doctor will look for the following symptoms to determine TBI injury.
Physical Symptoms for Mild TBI
- Loss of consciousness briefly (for a few seconds)
- Disorientation
- Headache
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Speech issues
- Sleeping difficulty
Sensory Symptoms
- Blurred vision
- Changes in tasting and smelling
- Ringing in the ears
- Sensitivity to sound and light
Mental or Cognitive Symptoms
- Concentration problems
- Memory loss
- Mood swings
- Feeling of anxiousness and experiencing depression
Moderate and severe TBI can include any of the symptoms discussed above for mild injury along with more severe signs that may appear within one hour of the accident. These include:
Physical Symptoms for Moderate and Severe TBI
- Loss of consciousness for hours
- Severe headache that worsens with time
- Repeated nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Fluid draining out of the ears and nose
- Numbness in the toes and fingers
- Coordination loss
- Dilation of the pupils
Mental or Cognitive Symptoms
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Coma
- Unusual behavior
Complications Associated with TBI
Victims of a motorcycle accident who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury can develop complications like:
- Seizures
- Hydrocephalus where the fluid builds up in the cerebral ventricles resulting in the swelling of the brain and increased pressure
- Infections may occur due to skull fractures that tear the protective tissue layers that surround the brain. The torn protective tissue layers will enable bacteria to penetrate the brain and cause infections, spreading to the nervous system if not treated promptly.
- Experiencing blood clots and strokes due to damaged blood vessels.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered from a traumatic brain injury after a motorcycle accident that occurred due to someone else’s negligence, then get in touch with us today. At The Law Office of Jason E. Taylor, P.C., we have the experience and knowledge to handle various personal injury cases. We are here to help you.
