Compensation for Internal Injuries from a Motorcycle Accident
In sunny California, motorcycle accidents are all too common, with so many cars and motorcycle riders out on the roads. In fact, California has the highest number of registered motorcycles in the whole country.
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents can be especially dangerous due to the fact that riders have little to protect their bodies from impact. Even if the rider is wearing a helmet or other protective gear, the force of impact can still lead to serious injuries, especially internal injuries.
But what’s scary about internal injuries, in particular, is that they are not always immediately apparent. Riders who suffer these types of motorcycle accident injuries might walk away assuming they are fine. But without immediate medical attention, the injury could become life-threatening. This is why it is so important for motorcycle riders to understand the dangers of internal injuries and how to recognize their signs and symptoms.
If you sustain a motorcycle accident injury, our San Francisco motorcycle accident injury lawyers can help. We know how devastating motorcycle accident injuries like internal injuries can be and are dedicated to helping our clients get the compensation they need to help pay for their medical expenses and other potential damages.
Common Types of Internal Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
The biggest concern with serious motorcycle accident injuries is internal bleeding. Internal bleeding is considered one of the most serious consequences of trauma and almost always requires emergency medical attention.
Unfortunately, because the bleeding and damage are internal, there are sometimes no outward signs of the trauma. But if internal bleeding is left untreated, it can lead to complications that can result in death.
Different Types of Trauma
With motorcycle accidents, there are four different types of trauma that can cause damage to internal organs, which can lead to internal bleeding. This includes:
- Blunt trauma: This occurs when the body is impacted by a blunt force at high velocity, which can happen when the rider is thrown from their motorcycle or when something else strikes against the motorcyclist’s body.
- Penetrating trauma: This trauma is more obvious, as it involves something puncturing the skin before then damaging internal organs and causing internal bleeding. In a motorcycle accident, this can happen when shrapnel, glass, or any other broken object from the accident penetrates the motorcycle rider’s body.
- Deceleration trauma: This type of trauma occurs when someone in a vehicle or riding a motorcycle comes to an abrupt stop after traveling at high speeds. The force placed on the body in these situations can cause internal vessels and organs to rupture or detach from one another.
- Fractures: In some cases, fractured bones or bone fragments can puncture and damage internal vessels and organs, leading to major blood loss.
Many different internal organs in the body can become damaged as a result of the above types of trauma after a motorcycle accident. And in many cases, there can be multiple internal injuries that can lead to a significant amount of blood loss and damage.
Some common areas that are injured internally in motorcycle accidents include:
- The aorta (heart)
- Lungs
- Brain
- Ribs
- Blood vessels
- Liver
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Kidneys
Signs You Sustained Serious Internal Injuries From a Motorcycle Accident
As there are not always outward signs of internal injuries after a motorcycle accident, such as a wound or external bleeding, it is crucial that you learn to recognize the signs and symptoms. However, even if no symptoms are apparent, it is always best to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible following an accident. If you wait until signs and symptoms appear, it could already be too late.
Signs that you may be suffering from an internal injury can include:
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of consciousness
- Abdominal pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Changes in vision
- Tingling or numbness in the extremities
- Nausea, vomiting, and sweating
- Bruising, especially large deep purple areas
Recovering Compensation for Internal Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accident injuries, especially serious internal injuries, can require costly medical treatments. In some cases, the injury could even result in complications that could lead to impairment and the need for life-long treatment. As such, the victim deserves to be compensated for their financial losses and all that they have or may continue to suffer, such as loss of income, dealing with physical pain, and even emotional distress.
These losses are what are known as damages in a personal injury claim. When you file your claim, the amount of money you are awarded is based primarily on the damages you have suffered.
For motorcycle accident injury cases, damages that you can recover compensation for include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Therapy and rehab related to the accident and injury
- Lost income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent impairment
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
It’s important to note that while a motorcycle accident victim may be entitled to compensation for these damages, there is no guarantee that they will be fully and fairly awarded what they deserve. This is where a motorcycle accident injury lawyer comes into play.
A California motorcycle accident lawyer can help you prove the extent of your injuries and all that you have suffered. They can also handle negotiations with the other parties involved, ensuring that a fair settlement is agreed upon that fairly compensates you for your damages.
California Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyer: We Handle Your Accident Claim So You Can Focus On Your Life
If you are seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in California and need help filing your claim, our team can help.
At Sally Morin, our motorcycle accident injury lawyers have years of experience handling cases that involve severe injuries, like internal injuries. As such, we understand how devastating these accidents can be and know what it takes to fight for the rights of our clients to ensure they get the full and fair settlement they deserve.
If you’ve suffered internal motorcycle accident injuries, call us at 877-380-8852 or contact us online today for a free case evaluation.
