Introduction
Motorcycle riders are at greater risk of suffering injuries from accidents as they are less protected than any other enclosed vehicle users. Apart from riders, the common injuries suffered should also be understood by their families. The focus of this article is to examine the different types of injuries experienced in Motorcycle Accidents and their frequency as well as the legal actions that the victims can take. In addition, the article will examine how solicitors can benefit from comprehensive medical record reviews in contributing to building strong legal cases for clients.
Understanding the Risks
Motorcycle accidents can occur due to various factors, including:
• Driver Error: Distraction or aggressive driving by other traffic participants.
• Road Conditions: Badly designed or poorly maintained roads with potholes and debris will result in unexpected accidents.
• Weather Condition: Snowing, raining, or fogging reduces vision and traction for riding a motorcycle.
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
• Statistics: NHTSA study reported that helmeted riders suffered TBIs at 15% and unhelmeted riders had a 21% rate.
• Impact: Among motorcyclists who died as per the study, 54% TBIs were the cause of fatality. These injuries disable indivisuals physically while also causing long-term deterioration of mental functions, emotional changes, while leaving some capable of fostering physical changes.
Spinal Cord Injuries
• Consequences: Injuries to the spinal cord may result in either paraplegia or quadriplegia, which is irreversible paralysis.
• Severity: The consequences of spinal injuries are life-altering and involve expensive treatment and rehabilitation arrangements.
Lower-Extremity Injuries
• Prevalence: Lower limb injuries are the most frequently experienced injuries in motorcycle accidents, especially in regards to leg trauma.
• Types of Injuries: Types of these injuries include bone fractures, joint dislocations, and other soft tissue complications that may be surgical in nature.
Internal Injuries
• Causes: Damage to internal organs and any internal bleeding can be a result of blunt force or penetrating type trauma.
• Risks: Because internal injuries may not be visible, it is crucial to receive early treatment in order to prevent possible life-threatening conditions.
Fractures
• Common Areas: Fractures of the arms, legs, and wrists are common for riders who sustain injuries as a result of trying to mitigate falls while riding.
• Treatment: Surgical intervention, casting, and prolonged periods of rehabilitation are methods inflicted on fractured bones.
Road Rash
• Definition: Abrasions formed from skin being dragged along the surface of the road by a moving vehicle is referred to as road rash.
• Severity: Road rashes can leave minor scratches, deep wounds that require skin grafting, and make the inflicted region prone to infections.
Legal Help for Motorcycle Injury Victims
Understanding Your Rights
If your motorcycle accident and injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Legal options include:
• Personal Injury Claims: Injured victims can file a claim against a person or entity that had a major role to play in the motorcycle accident.
• Workers’ Compensation: You may receive workers’ compensation benefits if the accident occurred while you were riding for work purposes.
The Role of Medical Record Review Services
Importance of Medical Records
• Causation: Medical documents serve as the most significant proof to associate an injury sustained to a motorcycle accident.
• Treatment Gaps: Overlooking advanced aspects of the case may yield important documentation gaps that could prove useful in constructing the argument.
How Medical Record Review Services Assist Attorneys
• Expert Opinion: Medical record reviewers collect information within the medical records that may be necessary for the case.
• Process Management: This service saves the lawyer time by making sure that all needed documents are available and in the correct form.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: TBI from a Motorcycle Collision
Summary: A motorcyclist suffered a severe head injury after getting hit by a car that did not stop at an intersection.
Challenges: The insurance company’s representatives contested the claim on the basis of the severity of the injury by stating that it was of a lesser magnitude and pre-existing.
Solutions: With the help of a medical record assessment firm, the victim’s lawyer was able to gather extensive medical records that articulate how the injury affected the victim’s life, work and other routines.
Compensation: Pain and suffering, in addition to medical expenses, costs incurred for rehabilitation, and lost earnings during such periods were all borne by the motorcyclist.
Case Study 2: Lower-Extremity Injury in a Hit-and-Run
Overview: A cyclist sustained serious leg fractures due to being struck by a moving car that surprisingly did not stop.
Challenges: The unfortunate nature of the accident in combination with the absence of an eyewitness made the claim process extremely time consuming and difficult.
Solutions: The attorney retained a medical record review service with the intent of reviewing documents and collecting all appropriate records to demonstrate causative relationship between the accident and injuries.
Compensation: The cyclist was awarded compensation for all medical expenses incurred as well as cost for anticipated future procedures, physical therapy, and orthopedic needs.
Conclusion
Victims of motorcycle accidents often suffer grave injuries which greatly impact their lives. Knowing the prevalent injuries that may result from these accidents and the legal options a victim has is necessary for obtaining compensation. Attorneys can create better cases with the help of medical record review services which assists in ensuring a client’s compensation. In case you or someone around you was in a motorcycle accident, it is advisable to get medical help, gather all pertinent information, and speak to attorneys for appropriate claims in an effective manner.
