Head Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Overview: Motorcycle Accidents

Whenever a person rides a motorcycle, it is highly advisable that they wear protective gear including, (most importantly), a helmet (and eye protection if the helmet does not have a face shield). When a motorcycle rider does not wear his or her helmet and gets into an accident, it is likely that he or she will suffer serious or life-threatening head injuries when the rider’s head collides with another vehicle, another object, or the road surface in an accident. 

The chances of suffering severe head trauma are greatly increased when a rider involved in a motorcycle accident is not wearing a helmet. Even wearing a helmet and neck protection does not necessarily mean that that a rider involved in a motorcycle accident faces no risk of head injuries.

When head injuries do result from a motorcycle accident, the injured rider will likely face the need for extensive treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and other expensive treatments that can quickly exhaust an injured rider’s health insurance coverage and financial resources. Even when the initial trauma is healed, a rider who suffers head injuries may be left with life-long effects.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only 71 percent of motorcycle riders in 2018 utilized federally-compliant helmets and other head protection. Unfortunately, nearly 5,000 motorcycle riders were killed in accidents that same year, representing a disproportionately large share of road fatalities. Motorcycle riders have significantly higher risks of both injury and death when involved in an accident. Unfortunately, the number one cause of serious and fatal injuries for motorcycle riders is head trauma. This underscores the need for riders to always use head and neck protection.

The Consequences of Head Injuries Suffered in Motorcycle Accidents

When a motorcycle rider suffers a head injury in an accident, he or she may get lucky by only experiencing a mild concussion whose effects will dissipate over the following days and weeks with sufficient rest. However, more often than not, head injuries in motorcycle accidents result in severe, life-altering consequences for injured riders.

In addition to physical trauma to the head, riders can easily suffer traumatic brain injury, which is not always readily apparent following an injury. Traumatic brain injuries are categorized as being mild, moderate, and severe. Mild injuries may include dizziness, headaches, concussion, or brief loss of consciousness. Moderate injuries usually involves altered consciousness that lasts minutes or hours. Finally, severe traumatic brain injuries involve extended loss of consciousness such as coma or vegetative state, along with permanent alterations to behavior and cognitive ability once the injured party does regain consciousness.

Recovering from Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head and traumatic brain injuries can resolve themselves over a period of days and weeks if mild enough. Otherwise, an injured rider may suffer effects that require active rehabilitation and treatment, such as paralysis, loss of motor coordination, cognitive difficulties, and behavioral changes. With more severe injuries, an injured rider may never fully recover and may require care and assistance for the rest of their lives.

Contact a Freehold Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Motorcycle Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a motorcycle accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lombardi and Lombardi, P.A. represent clients injured because of motorcycle accidents in Toms River, Jackson, Woodbridge, Old Bridge, and throughout New Jersey. Call (732) 906-1500 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 1862 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820, as well as offices in Brick, Freehold, and Point Pleasant Beach.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.