It is a hard fact that motorcyclists are typically more vulnerable than other road users and even pedestrians or regular cyclists. The injuries they can sustain because of high speeds and high exposure mean there is a high risk of catastrophic consequences, one of which – most commonly of all – is a Traumatic Brain Injury. Why is this such a big risk? Let’s discover the reasons below.
Motorcyclists Are More Exposed
Regardless of what a motorcycle driver is wearing when they get into an accident, they are more exposed than any other type of vehicle on the road. Young drivers in particular are prone to neglecting essential safety apparel like helmets, and when this happens they are increasing the risk of injury by 100% if they get into an accident. This vulnerability means when they are hit by another vehicle, or get into trouble in another way, their head is out in the open and the sheer force of a hit will often lead to a TBI. Insurance companies may protest if it turns out you were not wearing a helmet, but our attorneys will support you in representing the facts.
Harder to Spot
Motorbikes are also harder to spot for other road users, especially in places like junctions or if lane splitting is taking place. This decreased visibility makes it more likely that an impact will happen head-on, which can be a direct hit to the brain area and cause severe damage.
The Vehicle Size Difference
Even though some bikes are substantial, in general, a motorbike compared to a truck or a car is never going to stand a chance in a crash situation. The rider will often be thrown from the vehicle with such force that their head is extremely vulnerable to getting hit in such a way that causes big damage.
Post Accident: Pursuing a Personal Injury Lawsuit For a Traumatic Brain Injury
After the accident has happened, and you have begun to recover, you may begin to think about compensation. This is more straightforward when another party was involved, but even if there wasn’t, there may still be a way forward. Traumatic brain injuries cost a phenomenal amount in medical bills and make it incredibly difficult to return to work which means facing a future with lost wages as well. These two things alone are enough reasons to look for financial support, and our attorneys will help every step of the way.
Collect The Evidence
Make a detailed account of every single way the TBI has affected your life. Back this up with medical documentation and evidence, such as supporting statements from a physician. Useful documents also include bills, bank statements, and therapist recommendations as well. This evidence will enable us to determine the correct amount of compensation to seek as we move your case forward.
Continue to Engage With Medical Appointments
Whether you are still in the hospital or you have returned home, there are bound to be a number of ongoing medical appointments to attend. This might be physical therapy, regular check-ups, and medication reviews. It is vital that you attend everything, even if you are worried about costs.
Protect Your Mental Health
Mental well-being is a major concern among brain injury patients. Catastrophic injuries lead to depression and anxiety most commonly, and these two conditions will impact your quality of life if left unaddressed. Motorcycle accidents are traumatic events, so it makes sense that you would need to recover mentally as well.
Determining A Settlement Figure
Once liability has been established, it is time to look at how your settlement figure should be determined. Our team will manifest a figure based on the extent of your injuries, how they are impacting your life and professional capacity, and what impact they have taken on your mental well-being. Everything from medical costs to repair costs for your motorcycle is relevant, and we will take all the factors on board to represent the fairest amount for your circumstances.
The facts are the facts. Motorcyclists are just more at risk of catastrophic injuries if they get into an accident, the most common of which is a TBI. When this happens, an individual’s whole life will change dramatically. Our attorneys have years of experience behind them to support victims through this hard time and find them the support that they deserve through compensation.
If a motorcycle accident has led to a traumatic brain injury and you need legal advice, please visit our office here at 536 Pacific Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94133.
You can also call now for a free consultation on (415) 352-6264.