Why Are Motorcycle Accident Injuries so Serious?

A motor vehicle accident is a very terrible experience, and it’s more dangerous when it involves a motorcycle. Injuries sustained in a motorcycle collision are usually severe. Certain factors are responsible for this. However serious your injuries are, you can file a personal injury claim against the negligent party. You would need an excellent motorcycle accident attorney to win this legal action. The law firm of Calhoun Meredith can help you with the claims process.

What Common Types of Injuries Do Motorcycle Accidents Cause?

A motorcycle accident occurs when a motorcycle crashes into passenger cars, stationary objects, or even another bike. Such crashes never leave the victims the same and can result in a wide range of injuries. Some of them include:

• Traumatic brain injury (brain damage)
• Broken bones
• Nerve damage
• Soft tissue damage
• Permanent tissue damage
• Spinal cord injury
• Internal organ damage
• Other internal injuries

Why Are Motorcycle Accident Injuries so Serious? Get Medical Attention Immediately After a Motorcycle Accident

These common injuries, especially spinal cord damage, aren’t peculiar to motorcycle accidents. However, they can be more severe after motorcycle crashes. Therefore, if you survive a motorcycle crash, it’s best to seek immediate medical treatment. If you delay, your condition may worsen or become fatal. Don’t put off treatment, even if you don’t have the money. Save your life and worry about payment later.

Furthermore, not getting medical attention can also harm your lawsuit or insurance negotiation. The responsible parties may claim that your injuries weren’t that severe. Also, some motorcycle injuries don’t show for some days. If you don’t see a doctor and your wounds show later, the insurance adjuster may claim that they aren’t linked to the accident. So, urgent medical attention saves both your life and your compensation claim.

Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Serious?

If you’ve seen any motorcycle accident victims, you may be shocked at their severe injuries. Motorcycles are one of the most dangerous forms of transportation. So, often, after motorcycle crashes, the motorcyclist may suffer catastrophic injuries or even permanent damage.

There are three significant reasons for this increased threat to motorcyclists.

1. Less Protection for Motorcycle Riders

Motorcycles don’t offer occupants the same level of safety as people in passenger cars have. For instance, a truck driver has the protection of the entire truck’s frame with airbags and a dashboard. Passenger vehicles also have seatbelts that reduce the effects of a traffic accident. However, a motorcycle lacks all this safety gear, and a crash can eject the rider from the bike. Therefore, motorcycle accidents hurt more.

2. Poorer Steering Capacities

Motorcycles also have very sensitive steering wheels when compared with other vehicles. The implication is that if the rider is surprised on the road, they can easily steer the motorcycle into a nearby object. Furthermore, motorcycles have less effective brakes than passenger cars. Even if a motorcyclist brakes, the bike may spin out of control, or the rider may be thrown off, causing more damage.

3. Riders Don’t Always Wear Helmets

If a biker doesn’t wear a helmet, they increase their chances of suffering more severe damage. In 2019, 36% of motorcycle riders who weren’t helmeted suffered fatal injuries. Similarly, 48% of fatally injured motorcycle passengers didn’t wear helmets either. The US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention says that if all states adopt a universal helmet law, they’ll save more lives.

Unfortunately, in Texas, wearing a helmet is only compulsory for people under 21 years old. If you’re above 21, you can choose not to wear a helmet, subject to certain conditions.

What Are the Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Texas?

Many factors cause motorcycle crashes. Some of these factors can be grouped under legal disobedience, driver attitude, and road hazards.

Disobeying Laws

State laws often define how road users should act while driving or riding a motorcycle. These include speed limit laws and regulations that prohibit using devices while driving. Impaired drivers who are drunk driving are likely to hit motorcyclists.

Furthermore, distracted driving is also a significant cause. That’s why you shouldn’t drive while pressing your phone. Finally, both drivers of passenger vehicles and bikers should avoid aggressive driving since it has led to many motorcycle crashes.

Driver Error

Another significant cause is the failure of drivers to look out for motorcyclists in neighboring lanes. It could also be that a driver entered another motorist’s blind spot. Whatever the case, a driver’s mistake can result in fatal crashes.

Road and Weather Conditions

Finally, not all motorcycle accidents are caused by intentional human actions.. Sometimes, it’s the state of the roads. For instance, bad weather conditions can prevent a driver from seeing clearly. This may result in a motorcycle crash. Such lousy weather includes heavy rains, flooding, and thick fogs.

Sharp curves and bends, and road obstructions may also result in an accident. Furthermore, if the government fails to maintain the roads, both motorcyclists and drivers of other vehicles become more prone to accidents.

Experienced attorneys can quickly determine the motorcycle accident. They may employ an accident reconstruction expert. It’s essential to find the reason because it can help identify the liable parties.

What Kind of Damages Can I Recover for My Motorcycle Accident?

There are many types of damages you can recover after a motorcycle crash. You can either get damages through an insurance settlement or a personal injury lawsuit. A dedicated motorcycle accident lawyer can help you determine which of the two will get you a fair settlement. Often, it’s the insurance companies of the liable parties that’ll replace your losses.

Below are some of the damages you can get for your motorcycle accident.

• Medical Expenses:After an accident, it’s best to get medical treatment for your injuries. This can include the costs of physical therapy and medical equipment. You can recover such out-of-pocket expenses from the fault party.
• Wrongful Death:In case of motorcycle fatalities, the deceased’s estate can sue for the wrongful death of their relative. A wrongful death lawsuit would require a lawyer who has extensive experience in that field.
• Pain and Suffering:Motorcycle crash victims almost always experience some pain. Pain and suffering include emotional distress and future pain the injury may cause you. You can calculate and recover pain and suffering compensation too.
• Lost Wages:Traffic crashes may also prevent the victims from working. In such cases, you can recover all or some of your wages within that period.
• Property Damage:Finally, motorcycle accidents may also destroy the personal effects of motorists and bikers.. The responsible party may be liable for any such destroyed properties.

What Is the Statute of Limitation for Texas Motorcycle Accident Claims?

You don’t have all the time to file your motorcycle accident claim in court. Texas law stipulates a strict time frame within which you must bring your case. The Statute of Limitations defines this period.

According to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 16.003, motorcycle accident suits must be filed within two years. This includes cases brought by passengers, motorcycle riders, drivers, etc. If you don’t file the claim within two years, you may lose your right to remedies.

It would be best not to wait too long before approaching a motorcycle injury attorney to start the process. If a government employee caused your accident, you must file a notice of injury claim within 180 days of the occurrence.

Time Limit for Wrongful Death Suits

There’s also a Statute of Limitations regulating wrongful death claims. The estate of the deceased must file its claim within two years, too. The Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003(b) prescribes this period.

However, the clock doesn’t start ticking at the accident date. Time starts counting from when the motorcycle accident victim died. Similarly, if the bereaved family doesn’t claim until after two years, they’ll be barred from instituting the suit subsequently.

Texas Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help You!

If you survive motorcycle collisions, you can recover financial compensation from the at-fault driver. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you get fair compensation for all types of injuries and property damage.

Calhoun Meredith personal injury attorneys have decades of experience in motorcycle accident claims. We can bring this wealth of knowledge to bear on your case. Therefore, it would be best to call our law office today for a consultation.