Permanent Injuries from Motorcycle Crashes
According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, 1,927 people on motorcycles sustained incapacitating injuries in the Lone Star State in 2018. These severe injuries can leave people permanently changed. They may experience disabilities, lose wages, and have long roads to recovery. That’s why it’s vital for anyone involved in a motorcycle accident to hire an experienced Round Rock motorcycle accident lawyer.
Types of Permanent Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
The injuries that motorcyclists sustain in an accident depend on many factors, including the speed of the involved vehicles, whether the rider was wearing a helmet, and the type of crash. While some motorcyclists walk away with relatively minor injuries, others endure injuries that change their lives forever.
Some common and debilitating injuries that occur in motorcycle accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal Cord Injuries, including paralyzation and neck injuries
- “Biker’s Arm” and other nerve damage
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Fractured or broken bones
- Emotional trauma
Some of these injuries may heal to a degree, but possibly never fully. For example, broken bones can become whole again, but the damage to the surrounding area may continue to impair the patient in some capacity. Similarly, lots of occupational and physical therapy can help patients overcome some obstacles from a TBI, but some patients never fully recover from these injuries.
In other cases, the damage is irreversible in any way. For example, motorcyclists who are paralyzed in accidents may never regain the use of their legs. They must adjust their entire lives, which can include finding different jobs and homes. Regardless of how much recovery a person is able to gain eventually, severe injuries from motorcycle accidents are costly in many ways.
Costs Associated with Permanent Disabilities
The total costs of severe injuries after a motorcycle accident varies depending on the type of injury, health coverage, and the impact on other areas of the person’s life. A Round Rock motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine how much these injuries may cost over a lifetime. In general, you should consider costs such as:
- Immediate medical treatment
- An ongoing medical support, including therapies and medications
- Temporary or permanent loss of work
- Therapy and other support for emotional trauma
- Medical devices, such as wheelchairs
- Emotional suffering and damages
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a meta-analysis of the costs of motorcycle accident injuries. While motorcyclists who wore helmets incurred fewer costs, all injured motorcyclists paid significantly. For example, helmeted motorcyclists racked up an average of $10,564 in medical costs just in the immediate treatment. Those who had head injuries incurred $43,214 in hospital costs.
Suffering, pain, ongoing medical support, and a reduction in the quality of life also account for high costs after a motorcycle accident. For example, someone with a spinal cord injury may expect to incur more than $1 million in damages in the first year after the accident and $196,000 every year after that, according to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center.
Hire the Right Round Rock Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for all of these costs. It’s vital to hire a Round Rock motorcycle accident lawyer who understands all the expenses you may incur due to your injuries and how to recoup those. For a free consultation, call the Elissa Henry Law Firm at (512) 766-4529 or contact us online.
