Motorcycle Accidents and Brain Injury
Motorcycle accidents can cause permanent injuries, forever changing the lives of accident victims and their families. When traumatic brain injuries are involved, it can lead to mounting medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earnings, and other damages that can add stress to an already difficult situation.
Motorcycle accidents and brain injury is a concern in Utah, especially Salt Lake City, since helmets are not legally required for most riders. Even so, at Younker Hyde Macfarlane, PLLC, our motorcycle accident attorneys help accident victims recover the compensation they deserve for their injuries.
About Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can happen any time there is a direct blow or other external impact to the head. Such a forceful impact can make the brain move and hit the inside of the skull, causing damage to tissue and blood vessels, bleeding, swelling, or bruising in the brain.
TBIs may also be caused by a skull fracture or a foreign object penetrating the brain.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
One of the biggest causes of TBIs in motorcycle accidents is not wearing a helmet. This is of particular concern in Utah since state law doesn’t require people over the age of 21 to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle.
Motorcycle helmets can soften a blow to the head and reduce the risk of injury. While a TBI can still happen to a helmeted rider in an accident, they decrease their risk of a severe or fatal TBI.
Other possible causes of TBIs in motorcycle accidents include:
- Colliding head first with another vehicle
- Head hitting the ground
- Debris penetrating the brain
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
There are different types of traumatic brain injuries that may occur during a motorcycle accident:
- Cerebral contusion: A cerebral contusion is when a bruise occurs on the brain. A contusion causes the brain to swell and bleed.
- Concussion: A concussion can happen any time there is a blow to the head. Concussions can lead to a loss of consciousness or chronic headaches.
- Coup-contrecoup injury: A coup-contrecoup injury can occur when the head suffers an impact hard enough to cause the brain to move inside the skull, injuring the side of the brain opposite the side of the head that was impacted.
- Intracranial hematoma: An intracranial hematoma is a blood clot within the brain or around the brain. There are different types of hematomas which range from mild to life-threatening.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: A subarachnoid hemorrhage occurs when blood seeps into the fluid that covers the brain, the cerebrospinal fluid.
- Penetrating injuries: Penetrating injuries include any TBIs caused by a foriegn object penetrating the skull and entering the brain.
Recover Damages for TBI
The effects of a TBI vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. However, even a mild TBI can have a lasting impact emotionally and physically. TBIs can lead to permanent speech and mobility issues or even death.
Although no amount of financial compensation can make up for life-altering injuries or the death of a loved one, it can help when faced with medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Those who have suffered a TBI in a motorcycle accident or have lost a loved one should consult a motorcycle accident attorney to help them recover the maximum settlement for their injury and other damages.
Contact Younker Hyde Macfarlane
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please call our law firm at (801) 335-6467 to schedule a consultation and find out how we can help you.