Head Injuries More Prevalent in Motorcycle Crashes
In Florida, many residents depend on alternative transportation to get to and from work, their favorite hotspots, and simple errands. As a result, motorcycle use has boomed in the Sunshine State, but many riders haven’t followed through on keeping themselves properly protected from accident-related injuries.
In 2017, there were more than 5,000 fatalities attributed to motorbike crashes recorded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the state. Worse, only half of motorcycle enthusiasts statewide bother to wear a helmet. This situation can lead to a traumatic brain injury that can leave a crash victim debilitated for life.
What is Traumatic Brain Injury?
Simply defined, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves damage to the delicate brain tissue inside our skulls. Symptoms and signs of this condition range widely depending on the seriousness of the trauma experienced during a motorcycle crash. One might only suffer a minor concussion after being thrown from a bike at a slow speed, or they might stay in a coma and need medical equipment to sustain their life.
It’s important to understand that our brains do not regenerate like other parts of our bodies, so when vital nerves and neurons get injured, the damage could be permanent. This is why recognizing the signs of TBI will be a critical step after suffering a motorcycle wreck — even if you wore a helmet at the time of impact.
Symptoms of a TBI After a Motorcycle Accident
The human brain is still closely studied in medical science and recognizing a TBI is difficult, since symptoms can vary greatly depending on where the damage occurred. Fortunately, there are several identifiable signs of brain injury that will alert your doctor to possible damage.
Common symptoms of a TBI after a motorcycle crash include:
- Severe headache
- Memory loss
- Struggle to focus
- Bruising around the eyes
- Blood in the ears
- Loss of consciousness
- Emotional outbursts and irritability
- Rapid heart rate
- Dangerous decrease in blood pressure
- Blindness
- Loss of hearing
Symptoms of a brain injury may also show up days or weeks after the impact of a crash, so it’s critical to get assessed as soon as possible after such an event. Complications of a TBI could possibly lead to long-term conditions or death if left untreated or unrecognized.
Types of Motorcycle Accident-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries
According to information published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), motor vehicle crashes (including motorcycles) were the leading cause of hospitalizations for TBI in young teens and adults under 44 years of age. The organization’s findings noted that more than 56,000 individuals who died in 2014 had a traumatic brain injury that directly contributed to their passing.
With such a broad spectrum of severity when it comes to damaging the brain, there are a number of common traumas that can occur as a result of a car accident involving a motorcycle:
- Concussion
- Bruised brain tissue
- Bleeding between the skull and brain
- Bursting of a brain blood vessel
- Complications from neurological damage
- Dementia
- Chronic pain
- Memory issues
TBIs are serious matters which may require rest and monitoring or more invasive treatment like surgery and physical therapy. Stabilization after an accident doesn’t guarantee that complications won’t show up later that could leave a victim permanently dependant for the rest of their life.
Prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury
Helmets and focused awareness are two of the easiest ways to prevent severe TBIs in a motorcycle crash. Florida currently doesn’t have a universal helmet law, but instead only requires riders to wear one if:
- They are under 21 years of age, or
- They are over the age of 21 and do not carry at least $10,000 in medical expense coverage in case of an accident
Motorcycle helmet law studies like those conducted by the International Journal of Epidemiology have demonstrated that:
- States without universal helmet laws saw the risk of TBI doubled compared to that of states with such laws in place
- Facial and neck-related injuries were more prominent in states without helmet laws
These findings stress how helmet use is vital for motorcycle safety for riders in Orlando and throughout the United States.
Orlando Motorcycle Attorneys Who Will Bring Justice
Even knowing the devastation a catastrophic motorcycle crash can bring to one’s health, finances, and future, many Orlando riders still do not take the necessary steps to protect themselves. This leads to severe injuries like those related to TBI. The Umansky Law Firm knows that these accidents are completely unpreventable sometimes, and when this happens, victims may try to navigate the complex claim process while trying to heal. Insurance companies will do their best to convince them they don’t have rights to compensation, and this is why hiring an experienced motorcycle accident attorney is invaluable.
At The Umansky Law Firm, our experienced legal team understands what’s at stake after suffering a traumatic brain injury during a motorcycle crash. We want you to know that you and your loved ones are not alone during this challenging time and that we can lift the burden of seeking compensation from your shoulders by representing your needs on your behalf. As a recognized part of Florida Trend’s Legal Elite, you can experience our compassionate approach that always puts your best interests first. Contact our office today at for an evaluation of your case and learn more about what options are available to you to get you on the road to recovery faster.