Fort Smith Lawyers for Head Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycles are a popular form of transportation. Many people also use them as recreational vehicles. However, since there is little protection for the rider, it is more likely a motorcyclist will have significant injuries after a motor vehicle accident than those riding in a car. Wearing a helmet and the proper safety gear can help reduce the potential risk of serious injury, including a traumatic brain injury.
If you or someone you loved was involved in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. The Fort Smith motorcycle accident attorneys of McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm are aware of the physical, emotional, and financial burden that happens after a severe injury. Our compassionate and experienced legal team is ready to fight to protect your rights. Call the office of McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm today at (479) 783-0036 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
Types of Head Injuries
A traumatic brain injury happens when the delicate neurological tissues of the brain are injured within the skull. The skull bone does not have to break for the brain to be injured. Brain injuries can vary in severity from a minor concussion to a life-threatening, catastrophic injury. The neurological tissue in the brain does not heal and regenerate as easily as does bone, muscle, and tendon. In many cases, brain damage is permanent.
During an accident, the motorcyclist is traveling at speed and comes to an abrupt halt, often when striking the pavement. When the head hits the pavement, the brain strikes the bony skull and then bounces in the fluid that surrounds the brain. This can cause micro-tears in the blood vessels that feed the brain and lead to a blood clot. It can also cause a shear injury, during which the long connecting nerves of the brain are torn. This is also called a diffuse axonal injury.
According to the National Highway Traffic And Safety Administration, people riding motorcycles are 26 times more likely to be killed when they’re in an accident than those who are riding in a car. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, head injuries are the leading cause of disability and death in young people. There are several types of head injury, including:
- Concussion: Many think of this as a mild head injury, but even a single concussion can have lasting cognitive effects and may lead to chronic headaches.
- Hematoma: This is blood that builds up in the brain after an accident. It increases pressure inside the skull. When it’s left untreated, it can lead to a loss of consciousness, permanent brain damage, or death. When the blood builds up on the surface of the brain, it’s called a subdural hematoma. This requires immediate emergency treatment. Symptoms may develop immediately or can develop over several weeks.
- Coup contrecoup injury: As the brain moves inside the skull, it may hit the skull on the side of the impact and then on the opposite side of the impact when it is struck with tremendous force. When the brain is injured on both sides, it is called a coup contrecoup injury.
- Skull fracture: The bones of the skull are difficult to break. However, if a motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet, a traumatic injury to the skull at speed can cause the skull to break.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Symptoms from a head injury will depend on the area of the brain tissue that was damaged. Yet, there are several symptoms that are commonly shared by people who have different types of brain injuries. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Headache
- Bruising around the eyes
- Leaking of fluid from the ears or nose
- Blood behind the eardrum
- Loss of consciousness
- Rising heart rate or falling blood pressure
- Memory loss
- Possible blindness or hearing loss
- Difficulty focusing
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness and/or dizziness
- Problems with balance
- Nausea
- Change in sleep patterns
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Cognitive, behavioral, or mental symptoms
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
- No loss of consciousness, but a state of being dazed, confused, or disoriented
- Memory or concentration problems
- Mood changes or mood swings
Common Medical Complications
Traumatic brain injuries are diagnosed as mild, moderate, or severe. A mild traumatic brain injury is often called a concussion. A moderate injury can cause a loss of consciousness, abnormal imaging results, confusion that can last days to weeks, and cognitive or behavioral impairments that can last for months.
A severe traumatic brain injury involves a prolonged state of unconsciousness that can last months. Patients with a severe injury may experience headaches, lack of coordination, trouble with balance, slurred speech, loss of coordination, and agitation. Complications that may result from a head injury include:
- Chronic pain
- Memory loss
- Early-onset dementia
- Seizures
- Fevers
- Blood clots or a stroke
What Type of Compensation Is Available?
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident because of another party’s negligence, you may be able to seek financial recovery. Several factors determine the final amount of compensation you might receive. These factors include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income or missed wages
- Decrease earning capacity if injuries result in long-term disability
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life activities
You may be entitled to compensation for these losses. Your Fort Smith personal injury attorneys can represent your rights and pursue the justice you deserve.
Contact McCutchen Napurano - The Law Firm Today for Your Free Case Evaluation
Our compassionate and experienced legal team is experienced negotiators and tenacious litigators. We fight for the rights of our clients and pursue fair compensation for their losses. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident because of someone else’s negligent behavior, call our office today for a free consultation.
You’ll talk with one of our personal injury attorneys who will learn the details of your case and advise you on your next best steps. Call the office today at (479) 783-0036 or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation.
