What can start as a pleasure ride on two wheels to forget about life’s stressors can quickly turn into a harrowing nightmare when the body meets the pavement. Even minor accidents can leave motorcycle riders with miles of road rash, broken bones, or worse. Bikers and their loved ones can feel the pain, especially when the rider’s injuries are catastrophic. The question is, where and how do you find justice?
To find justice and compensation, contact the Gainseville motorcycle accident lawyers at Meldon Law. Their biker-friendly attorneys will fight to ensure that the injured and their families don’t have financial worries while undergoing treatment and waiting out the healing process. Don’t delay; call them today.
Common Types of Motorcycle Injuries
Typically, even a minor motorcycle crash will leave the rider with some form of injury. A minor fender bender between two cars and one involving a car and a motorcycle is like comparing apples to oranges. Without a cage of protection, bikers are incredibly vulnerable when hit. Without wearing protective gear like boots, leather, and a helmet, a minor traffic incident can cause life-changing injuries.
- Road rash – Unlike your typical skinned knee, road rash is the bane of all bikers. It occurs when a rider is thrown to the pavement and their skin scraps on the road, causing a severely painful abrasion. Riders without protective gear almost always suffer some form of road rash.
- Broken bones – Forearms, femurs, shins, and pelvis are common bones to fracture due to a motorcycle accident. Typically, the higher the speed when hit, the more the likelihood of broken bones. Multiple broken bones can keep a biker down for months or longer.
- Facial fractures – Bikers who choose not to wear a motorcycle helmet face the risk of painful and life-altering facial fractures. Facial injuries and fractures can often lead to scars or permanent disfigurement. These types of injuries can cause deep, emotional issues.
- Spinal injuries – A biker’s spine can easily be damaged from a crash, especially ones that take place at high speeds. Spinal injuries can lead to chronic pain or partial or full paralysis. Many types of spinal injuries cause permanent disabilities.
- “Biker’s arm” injuries – Some common forms of motorcycle crashes are referred to as biker’s arm injuries. Lacerations, broken fingers, wrists, and arms, or worse, result from the natural reaction to hold out our hands and arms to brace ourselves for impact.
- TBI – Traumatic brain injuries can occur even if the rider wears a helmet. TBIs can be minor, such as a mild concussion or severe, leading to cognitive disorders or permanent paralysis.
- Death – The most unfortunate injury resulting from a motorcycle accident is death. Many families in this motorcycle tragedy filed wrongful death lawsuits against the negligent driver.
How a Motorcycle Accident Affects a Family?
A severe motorcycle accident can not only harm the rider, but it can also negatively affect their family. Depending upon the severity of their injuries, they could be facing a long time out of work while recovering, if they can work at all. Here’s a look at some family issues a bike crash can cause.
Loss of Income
The more severe the injuries, the longer the motorcycle accident victim could be out of work. If they’re the family’s main breadwinner and have dependent children, this could pose a potentially devastating financial hardship for the entire family. Even if the driver’s negligence is obvious, personal injury lawsuits can take six months or longer before a settlement is reached.
Emotional Changes
A harrowing motorcycle accident can cause emotional changes in the victim. They may be angry, confused, or depressed due to the crash. It’s not uncommon for motorcycle accident survivors to have increased anxiety, insomnia, or worse, develop conditions like PTSD. Families must find new coping methods due to the victim’s mood swings or other psychological disorders.
Loss of Consortium
The entire family suffers if the crash victim is hospital-bound or unconscious for an extended time. Their responsibilities to the family must be met, and the family could face even more financial losses. Due to the victim’s emotional changes, the entire family could lose the love and companionship they once knew.
The Consequences of a Motorcycle Crash on the Victim and Their Family: Final Words
Any motorcycle crash can cause injuries and damages, but a more severe one can completely ruin a family’s life. Motorcycle accidents can leave the victim incapacitated for weeks, months, or even longer. Unfortunately, insurance company settlements can be time-consuming, especially if the defendant’s legal team argues negligence. While the lawyers do battle, the family suffers.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Florida, it’s vital to hire legal representation as soon as possible. Regardless if the victim is in the hospital, the sooner the legal process begins, the sooner a settlement can be received.
