Hartley Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys

In the event of a tragedy, motorcycle injury attorneys serve as committed champions for riders. Specializing in motorcycle accidents, they handle legal intricacies to ensure injured riders receive fair justice and compensation.

Be Aware of Internal Injury Signs after a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents carry a high risk of serious injury. Motorcyclists are at greater risk of injury than passenger car drivers due to their relative lack of protection. For example, in mid-July 2014, an Iowa motorcyclist was run over by a motorist who fled the scene, causing the biker severe injuries, as reported by the Des Moines Register.

Many motorcyclists are hospitalized each year for severe injuries that require surgery or intensive care. In some cases, bikers suffer internal injuries, some of which might not be readily apparent. Knowing some internal injury signs is therefore important.

Types of Internal Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Internal injuries are a common result of motorcycle accidents. Accident victims may experience internal bleeding in the abdomen, head, or other areas depending on the location of the injury. Blunt trauma or penetration can cause internal bleeding, and though any sign of internal bleeding warrants a trip to the hospital, sometimes the bleeding will stop on its own without intervention. Severe or uncontrolled bleeding may require surgery.

Some possible internal motorcycle accident injuries include:

- Tears in the aorta, superior or inferior vena cava, or branches.
- Tears, cuts, or blunt trauma to organs such as the spleen or liver.
- Bleeding around the lungs.
- Intracranial hemorrhage.

This is just a small sample of internal injuries that motorcyclists might sustain after being thrown from the bike, run over by a vehicle, or otherwise experiencing blunt trauma in a collision.

Internal Injury Signs to Know

It’s important to be aware of some of the common internal injury signs. In many cases, the signs are obvious and severe and there will be no doubt that the individual requires immediate medical care. However, in other cases, the signs are more subtle and there is no visible accompanying injury that will alert bystanders or the victim of the seriousness of the injury.

Any of the following symptoms might be an internal injury sign and warrant a call to 911 from the accident scene or a trip to the nearest emergency room for examination:

- Loss of consciousness or headache: Pain in the skull or loss of consciousness may result from internal hemorrhaging in the brain. This is an emergency situation and requires immediate medical care.
- Swelling or pain in the abdomen: Swelling can occur due to blood in the abdomen when there is an internal injury. Pain in this area may signal a more serious condition than the initial examination uncovered.
- Discolored skin: Internal bleeding can cause the skin to turn a deep purple as it seeps into the soft tissues beneath the skin’s surface. This may indicate a more serious internal injury.
- Light-headedness or fainting: Blood loss that occurs internally can cause dizziness. Any type of fainting spell or feeling of dizziness requires an examination to rule out an internal injury after a motorcycle accident.

After receiving medical treatment for internal motorcycle accident injuries, you may need to enlist the help of an attorney to recover compensation for your motorcycle injuries. If you’ve experienced large medical bills, lost time at work, or decreased ability to return to work after your accident, an attorney can help. Call a lawyer to help you explore your options to seek reimbursement for your damages.

How Do Motorcycle Burn Injuries Occur?

Motorcycle burn injuries can be severe and require immediate medical attention. There are several types of motorcycle burn injuries: road rash, exhaust burns, windburn, and fires. Each type of burn injury comprises various causes and circumstances.

Road Rash Injuries

Road burn injuries, also known as road rash, are the scrapes and bruises riders sustain when their skin scrapes along the road after being thrown from or dragged by the bike during a motorcycle accident. When the skin scrapes against pavement or gravel, serious injuries can occur that require hospitalization and long periods of healing.

There are three basic types of road burn injuries:

- Deep scrapes: When the rider’s body scrapes on the pavement at high speeds, the wounds may require stitches. Open wounds such as this have a high risk of infection, necessitating special attention.
- Bruising and compression injuries: If the rider gets caught between the bike and the road, serious bruising and crushing injuries can occur.
- Avulsion injuries: Several layers of skin may be damaged, exposing and damaging underlying muscle or fat tissue. Serious skin burns such as this may require surgery and skin grafting.

Exhaust Burns

Exhaust burns occur when the rider or passenger accidentally makes contact with the exhaust pipe. These injuries can be extremely painful and cause permanent scarring. A study published by researchers at Athens University Medical School in Greece found that most exhaust burn injuries occurred below the knee on the right leg, with passengers sustaining more than 70 percent of the injuries, and more than 65 percent of victims sustaining second-degree burns.

Windburn

Windburn occurs when the force of the wind damages the outer layer of skin. It can be very painful and cause the skin to burn more easily in the sunlight. Wearing a helmet with a visor can help keep the wind off the face while riding.

Burns from Collisions

A mechanical or gas fire can cause motorcycle burn injuries. Upon collision, gasoline or other fluids can ignite, causing explosions and serious, sometimes life-threatening, injuries. Combustion, fluid leaks, and faulty wiring may all be factors in a motorcycle fire.

Burn injuries are categorized as first-, second-, and third-degree burns, and treating physicians will address them accordingly. Riders who’ve sustained burns should speak to their doctors about risks of complications, including scarring, infections, and damaged nerve issues.

Road Rash as a Result of Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycles are associated with freedom of the road, exhilaration, and fun, but they also come with an increased likelihood of serious injury and death in a collision. A common injury associated with motorcycle accidents is road rash, which occurs when skin is scraped across the road surface, causing lacerations and abrasions.

Degrees of Motorcycle Road Rash

- First-degree (minor) road rash: Involves skin redness and probably does not warrant major medical treatment. Home treatments, including cleaning and antibiotic ointment application, often suffice for healing these injuries.
- Second-degree road rash: More serious as the skin breaks. This degree of road rash may involve more discomfort and pain but typically can be treated at home as well.
- Third-degree road rash: A serious injury affecting all skin layers, exposing tissue beneath. It even damages muscles and other structures. Medical intervention, such as skin grafting, is a common surgical treatment for third-degree road rash.

Skin Grafting to Treat Motorcycle Road Rash

Skin grafting is a surgical procedure performed in a hospital setting under general anesthesia. Recovery after skin grafts can be lengthy and difficult. Patients may require weeks in the hospital for observation of the donor and graft sites and to ensure that the body does not reject the transplanted skin. Movement can be limited for weeks following release from the hospital as the graft site heals, making a return to work or normal activity difficult for some time.

Seeking Compensation for Motorcycle Road Rash

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident with another vehicle and the other party is at fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages by filing a motorcycle accident claim. You may be able to recover damages including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages during your treatment and recovery, and pain and suffering. Discuss the effects of your motorcycle accident with a lawyer to review the types of damages you may pursue in your claim or lawsuit.

Proving fault is one key element of a successful motorcycle accident case, as is proper documentation of all your losses. Be sure to keep meticulous records of all medical treatments, bills, and lost time from work after the accident. Obtain your police report and any witness statements from the police department that responded to the accident scene. Provide your attorney with any photos or notes you’ve written down about the accident at the scene or afterward.

Consulting a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The toll from severe motorcycle injuries can encompass substantial medical expenses and long-term care costs for victims and their families. Lost wages may compound matters, especially if employment becomes unrealistic for an extended period. Getting help from a motorcycle accident attorney allows the pursuit of comprehensive compensation, from financial damages and emotional distress such as pain and suffering.

Victims of these accidents should seek consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney, as damages may be extensive and recovery of compensation is important.

At Walker, Billingsley & Bair, our motorcycle accident attorneys can represent you in dealings with your insurance company, or when filing a personal injury claim. Set up your consultation now by calling 641-792-3595.