Because a motorcycle rider is so vulnerable, the consequences of an accident injury can be horrible. And the effects of a motorcycle accident injury can be permanent. These not only include the physical effects of a devastating injury, but also the emotional and financial effects. Even though you were following the rules of the road and didn’t cause the accident, the bias that many insurance companies have against bikers can make things even worse – even though it doesn’t seem that would be possible.
Hiring expert legal help as quickly as possible is one of the most important things that you can do if you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault. The attorneys with Sand Law will be here to fight for your rights, and help you obtain the money you deserve.
Whether you were severely injured while riding, or you suffered the tragic loss of a loved one in this type of accident, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for a free case review. You can contact us online, or you can call Sand Law at 651-291-7263.
These are just some of the ways that a motorcycle accident can impact a victim physically, emotionally and financially.
Physical Impacts of a Motorcycle Accident
The forces a motorcycle rider has to endure during an accident are incredible, and they do a great deal of damage. These are just a few of the catastrophic injuries that can occur.
- Traumatic brain injury. A motorcycle helmet can be the difference between life and death. But even when a rider wears one, that doesn’t mean they’ll be protected from a traumatic brain injury. A motorcycle accident injury can have drastic, permanent effects, including cognitive problems, pain, hearing and vision issues, and difficulty performing even the most basic everyday tasks.
- Nerve damage. Being thrown from a motorcycle can result in severe damage to the central nervous system. Symptoms include muscle weakness, numbness and tingling, and potentially breathing problems and paralysis.
- Neck injuries. Damage to the soft tissues of the neck can not only lead to significant pain, but also joint and disc issues that can severely limit mobility.
- Amputation. There are times where a limb is damaged so badly that amputation may be necessary. Not only is this an incredibly traumatic situation from a physical aspect, it can also lead to severe emotional issues. There is also the risk of a possibly fatal infection, as well as phantom pains that can last for years.
- Spinal cord injuries. If a spinal injury is significant enough, that could result in paralysis. Other potential complications include an inability to control the bowels as well as breathing difficulties.
- Burns. You may have heard the term “road rash,” which results in the loss of skin as the body moves across a rough surface. This is exactly what can happen then a rider contacts a highway. A motorcycle accident could not only lead to a severe burn injury, but also permanent scarring.
Emotional Impacts of a Motorcycle Accident
The emotional trauma that can result from a motorcycle accident is often profound. Victims can find the emotional effects are just as debilitating as the physical impacts. They will oftentimes lose their ability to enjoy the activities they love, and suffer from severe depression as well. Riders involved in a wreck may also be at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder as they relive the accident over and over again.
When someone is hurt severely, they will often have to spend a great deal of time in the hospital, then immediately go to a rehabilitation center for extended physical therapy. This time away from the people they love can also be overwhelming from an emotional perspective.
Even though a lot of victims overlook the emotional aspects of their injury, they may be able to obtain significant compensation for their psychological suffering.
Financial Impacts of a Motorcycle Accident
The expenses associated with a motorcycle accident can be astounding – far more than a victim expects. Here’s a quick look at some of the more common ones.
- Surgery. Motorcycle wrecks often cause injuries that require extensive surgery. Depending on the severity, a victim may actually need multiple procedures over a period of weeks or months.
- Time in the hospital. If you’ve ever been in the hospital – even if it was for just one night – you probably received a huge medical bill. Multiply that by several days, weeks, or even months, and the costs are staggering. If complications arise once a victim returns home, they may have to be admitted yet again.
- Medications. Prescription medicines obviously aren’t cheap. When someone has a severe injury, they may have to take a wide variety of them for years to come.
- Medical fees. Doctors, anesthesiologists, and other medical professionals often add their own bills to the ones listed above. You might have to see several different doctors, and all of them will very likely bill you separately.
- Physical therapy. If you are going to have any hope of fully recovering from your injury, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually have to go through some sort of physical rehabilitation. Victims will often have to go through therapy multiple days a week for several weeks, or even months.
Medical costs only comprise part of the financial impacts a victim has to endure. Riders also typically miss a great deal of work while recovering, and they only have so many sick days and vacation time. Eventually, they’re going to start losing pay – they might not even be able to return to work at all. The financial burdens can quickly become too much for a victim to bear.
Sand Law Can Help You Recover Compensation for Your Injuries
We can’t stress enough just how important it will be to hire an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as fast as possible. The earlier you get legal help, the earlier the firm can conduct an investigation into your accident. This will be critical to gathering the evidence needed to make your case its absolute strongest.
The attorneys with Sand Law are ready to do just that. We’ll work tirelessly to collect the proof it will take to give you the best chance of winning your case – and getting the money you need to help ease the consequences you’ve been forced to endure. Contact us online to schedule a free consultation, or call 651-291-7263.