Common Motorcycle Injuries

Most Common Motorcycle Injuries: Insight From the Best Motorcycle Injury Lawyers

Motorcyclists are very vulnerable when it comes to riding on the road. Since motorcycles lack protection, it is inevitable that a motorcyclist will face severe injuries if they were to get into an accident. All injuries from a motorcycle need to be discussed with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles. West Coast Trial Lawyers understands personal injury law. Common injuries from a motorcycle include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI generally occurs when there is a forced impact on the head, thus resulting in the head shaking violently. This is considered as an extremely serious injury for motorcyclists who are involved in an accident, especially if they are not wearing helmets. Getting a TBI will impact an individual’s physical and cognitive abilities. Additionally, they may have to go through several surgeries, which will increase their medical expenses. Lastly, in some cases, this may be an injury that will affect the individual for the rest of their lives.
- Broken bones. A motorcyclist will likely experience physical contact with the ground after getting into a crash. Depending on the level of impact, they may have their bones broken. Broken ribs are the most common parts of the body that are affected after a motorcycle accident. If the collision wasn’t very severe, the least a motorcyclist may get away with are bruises, cuts, or scratches.
- Road burn. This painful injury normally occurs when a motorcyclist’s skin is dragged on the road. Road burns are not necessarily fatal injuries, but infections may come about if not treated properly. Failure to seek treatment may result in permanent scarring on the body part that was dragged.
- Internal bleeding. Strong force impacting the body may result in internal bleeding due to the internal organs becoming damaged or punctured. Internal bleeding may take place in any part of the body. Since internal bleeding is not a visible injury, it is extremely important to get yourself evaluated by a medical expert after a motorcycle accident. Even if you feel like you did not sustain a severe level of injury after your accident, it is highly suggested to still get checked out at the hospital to make sure you are okay.
- Spinal cord injury. The spine is classified as being one of the most delicate parts of the body. If severe impact is inflicted on it, the aftermath may result in permanent paralysis. There is a high chance of a motorcyclist sustaining this injury if they were to land on their neck or back. Basically, anything that contacts an individual’s back with extreme force can result in spinal cord damage. Depending on the circumstances, an individual may face either a temporary or permanent spinal cord injury.

Available Damages
Accidents happen. If you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Below is a brief explanation of damages. Damages are a type of monetary award that is determined by a court of law to help compensate an aggrieved individual for any losses or injuries sustained as a result of someone’s negligence.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are intended to compensate a plaintiff for losses that a dollar amount can readily be attached to. Economic damages are calculated by determining the amount of out of pocket losses an aggrieved individual has or will expect to incur as a result of their injuries.
A few examples of economic losses include:
- Loss of Earning Capacity
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are essentially intended to cover losses that are thought of as subjective and will not necessarily cover out of pocket losses. Non-economic damages may include compensation for:
- Emotional Distress
- Pain and Suffering
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life
- Other Non-Economic Damanges
Punitive Damages
The third type of damages a California court may award are known as punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended as punishment and are only awarded when a defendant’s behavior is especially harmful. Punitive damages are relatively rare and in fact are only incorporated in 5% of all verdicts.
Furthermore, there is no real set standard for calculating and awarding punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded at the court’s discretion and will vary depending on the specific circumstances of a case.