Free Consultation
770-626-7895Georgia offers beautiful scenery that makes it a dream destination for motorcyclists, including Blue Ridge Mountain peaks and coastal lowlands. Plus, the year-round climate makes it ideal for riding a motorcycle on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this also means there is an increased risk of injury or fatality in an accident.
While significant injury may occur in any type of accident, the worst are typically motorcycle accident injuries. This is due to the lack of protection offered by the motorcycle, and the fact that most of the people who are driving cars and trucks don’t watch for riders on the road.
You may deserve compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries. Brady M. Larrison is your motorcycle injury lawyer in Athens and is available to learn about your case today. If you’ve been injured on a motorcycle, get in touch with us for help.
Types of Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Riders are vulnerable to several common types of injuries in motorcycle accidents.
Road rash
Road rash occurs when exposed skin comes into contact with pavement. This injury resembles a burn and may require a skin graft to repair. In some cases, debris from the roadway can become embedded in the injury. Typically, if cared for properly, these injuries heal without long-term repercussions.
Brain injury
Approximately 25% of motorcycle accident injuries involve the head and neck. State law requires riders to wear a DOT-approved helmet, which can prevent a head injury from being serious or even fatal. However, when your head comes into contact with the pavement, there is always a risk of traumatic brain injury. This can have lifelong consequences with extensive rehabilitation and expensive healthcare costs.
Leg injury
Approximately 30% of motorcycle accident injuries involve the lower extremities, typically a fracture of the tibia or fibula. When you are riding a motorcycle, your legs and feet are the closest to the ground, which means in an accident, they will be the first to contact the pavement or if the motorcycle rolls over, it could fall on your legs. Depending on how your legs bend when you fall, you may experience ligament damage or lacerations.
Spinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury is the most severe type of injury that could occur in a motorcycle accident. This is most likely to occur if your head hits the pavement- even if you are wearing a helmet- because your neck is not protected. A spinal cord injury often results in temporary or permanent paraplegia or quadriplegia.
Thorax injury
Approximately 1 in 7 motorcycle accident injuries involve the thorax, or chest area, which includes the sternum and ribs. These injuries can be serious because of the proximity of your lungs. A chest injury can lead to punctured or collapsed lungs. Other complications may also result such as infections or pneumonia.
Why is it Important to Always Seek Medical Attention Following a Motorcycle Accident?
When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, one of the first things you should do is seek medical attention. There are two reasons for this:
Your health
Many times, motorcycle accident injuries are not obvious. You may feel fine, so you decline medical attention. Then, when you wake up the next day, you can barely move. This is especially true with a head impact or whiplash, which usually take time to reveal how serious they are. Therefore, instead of waiting, it’s important to seek medical care for your overall health and well-being.
Your case
When you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you want to have your motorcycle accident injuries documented. This will be helpful if you decide to take legal action against the other driver. If you wait, the defendant can argue that your injuries were from another incident- but if you seek immediate medical attention, you can prove that your injuries are directly related.
How Can You Protect Yourself While Riding Your Motorcycle?
The best way to reduce your risk of significant injury in a motorcycle accident is to wear safety gear. Research has proven that helmets reduce your risk of fatality by 1/3 and traumatic brain injury by 2/3.
While many states require that riders wear a helmet, other safety gear is left to the discretion of the rider. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants, as well as layers, can reduce your risk of road rash.
Finally, paying attention to and following the rules of the road can reduce your risk of being involved in a motorcycle accident. Plus, in the case that you are involved in one, if you were following the rules of the road, you’re less likely to be held liable.
Legal Help for Athens Motorcycle Accident Victims
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are common and injuries can often be serious or even fatal.
If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.
Attorney Larrison brings more than a decade of experience as a plaintiff’s attorney in accident, personal injury, and wrongful death claims to the table. He can help you get the compensation you deserve to take care of your economic and non-economic losses. Call us today. Schedule your free consultation with Brady M. Larrison at Larrison Law Firm Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys.
