Unfortunately, even some most experienced motorcyclists may face a devastating accident. Motorcycle accidents are often more severe than motor vehicle accidents because motorcycles offer less protection. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 80 % of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death, and motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in a crash and five times more likely to be injured than someone riding in a passenger car.
If you or someone you know has been in a motorcycle accident, seek medical attention first! After an accident, paying attention to even the most minor signs of injury is essential. Be looking for aches and pains, and consider getting a complete medical examination (even if your injuries seem minor). This exam should include X-rays and an MRI or CT scan that can reveal possible brain injuries.
The most common injuries motorcyclists sustain after an accident include:
- Head Injury
- Paralysis
- Scars
- Neck and back injuries
- Torn ligaments and muscles
- Burns
- Fractures
This is not an exhaustive list. Many injuries may not be apparent right away. It is not unusual for your pain to get worse over time. As a result of the trauma, your body produces hormones called endorphins. They act as a natural pain killer. Over a day or even a few weeks, the excitement of the accident will wear off, and the pain may get worse. Keep an eye out for injuries with delayed symptoms.
Late-appearing effects of motorcycle accidents include:
- Soft Tissue Injuries and Whiplash: “Whiplash” is a general term for soft tissue injuries in the neck. Although it’s commonly understood as pain in the neck, it can affect neural pathways, including the spine and extremities.
- Concussions: Concussions are often problematic to recognize if you do not have an acquaintance familiar with you and can judge your post-accident behavior. Concussions occur when the brain strikes the inside of the skull. They usually cause some temporary loss of brain function.
- Emotional Harm: This is the most challenging injury to spot and diagnose. Beyond the physical pain from an accident, the most common emotional harm is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Someone with PTSD may suffer depression, anxiety, or other disruptions of their usual personality. It can occur up to several months after an accident.
With any injury, it is essential to take care of yourself first. With late-appearing injuries, valuing and settling a case or claim may be more difficult. In most cases, an insurance company will contact you shortly after the crash and ask you to sign a release for a settlement. The settlement may pay some of the current damages but won’t cover medical bills for late-appearing injuries. For example, if you have a post-traumatic seizure, you cannot go back to the insurance company and get the bills covered after it is settled.
If you have sustained an injury or believe you have a late-appearing injury from your motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate another minute. Please call the Sacramento motorcycle accident lawyers at Eason & Tambornini, A Law Corporation. They will not only fight for the justice and financial compensation you deserve for your suffering; they will help protect your health and your legal rights.
