Motorcycle accidents are among some of the worst accidents you can be involved in due to the lack of protection. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are very common with motorcycle and auto accidents. TBI often involves damage to different areas of the brain proper that may generate long-term disabilities. The complexities of brain anatomy make it difficult to diagnose and repair. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you should have a brain scan done immediately; then continue to follow through with more scans as traumatic injuries tend to be progressive. Make sure to contact a specialized motorcycle accident lawyer near you as soon as possible to make sure you do everything you can to provide evidence of your injuries.
If you have been in a motorcycle accident and have suffered from a brain injury since the accident, contact the Chester Law Group today at 800-218-4243 and let us help you with your Personal Injury Settlement.
How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents?
The number of motorcycles and vehicles on the road has increased, creating more motorcycle accidents than ever before. Many motorcycle accidents are not what you would consider negligible, as a motorcycle driver has less protection during a crash, meaning these types of accidents are more likely to be catastrophic or even fatal.
Victims of motorcycle accidents often have their lives changed forever due to traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially if they are not wearing a helmet. Serious head injuries and long-term disabilities from crashes are creating huge medical costs. Because personal injury cases of this type can be very complex, having an attorney with knowledgeable motorcycle accident experience by your side is crucial during claims and cases.
Be wary when an insurance company representing the other driver contacts you and asks you to give them a statement on how the accident occurred. A recorded statement could damage your position. The best thing to do is not to speak with the other driver’s insurance company. Instead, rely on help from your experienced motorcycle accident attorney. The Ohio-based motorcycle accident attorneys at the Chester Law Group understand these serious injuries sustained from motorcycle accidents along with the unique safety issues.
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms Following a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents can lead to severe brain injuries. Reach out to Chester Law Group to see if you qualify for compensation.
The signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury ultimately depend on which structures are damaged in the brain. If multiple areas of the brain are injured, you will see many different common TBI symptoms. Some brain injury symptoms that are common in motorcycle accidents include:
- Anxiety or depression
- Blurry vision
- Behavioral changes such as sudden urges, irritability, inappropriate laughter
- Problems concentrating
- Difficulty swallowing
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Abnormal body movements and/or lack of proper balance
- Difficulty finding words or understanding speech
- Memory loss
- Seizures
- Sleep problems
Whether your motorcycle accident is minor or severe, if you are experiencing the symptoms listed above, you need to get a brain scan as soon as possible. A CT scan can only be done effectively within 72 hours of the trauma. After that, you need an MRI or PET scan done. This the only way to see inside the complex brain structure and get you on your way to rehabilitation.
Learn more about different brain scans in our article: Understanding Brain Injury Scans After an Accident
How is the Brain at Risk After Motorcycle Accidents?
The brain is the main part of the central nervous system and controls all body functions. It is surrounded by the cranium or skull (bone) for protection. The brain is largely made up of fat, so it is a soft organ that is surrounded by 3 membranes known as the dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater. These 3 membranes hold the brain together like a plastic wrap. Between the arachnoid and pia is the arachnoid space, which contains blood vessels that carry blood to and from heart. Damage to these vessels due to trauma can cause blood clots to form putting pressure on the delicate brain tissue. This can occur in an accident because your brain continues to move forward and crashes into the membranes and skull and then crashes backward on your skull.
The lower part of the brain known as the brain stem passes through a hole at the base of the skull and is continuous with the spinal column. This is actually the back of your neck. Many injuries occur here with serious repercussions. The brain stem is a major fiber tract that carries signals to and from all parts of the body. The brain stem also regulates consciousness, fatigue, heart rate, and blood pressure. Damage to the brainstem can cause loss of consciousness which indicates you have a concussion. Behind the brainstem is the cerebellum (means little brain) which is responsible for balance in gravity so that you can walk upright without falling over. Damage here will make it difficult for you to walk without falling over.
The largest part of the brain is the cerebral cortex (cortex means outer part) and is divided into two parts. One part is the left brain and the other is the right brain. The left brain controls the right side of the body and the right brain controls the left side of the body. The left brain is primarily involved with language and the right brain regulates nonverbal language, spatial skills such as math, music, and art. If you have damage to the left brain you would see problems with speech and movement on the right side of the body. If you have right brain damage, you would expect to see problems with the left arm and leg movement and deficits in your ability to handle music, math, and art. These are just examples of general brain function in terms of left versus right brain. However, the cortex is further broken up into functional areas known as lobes.
- You have a left and right prefrontal lobe. This is behind your forehead. This is responsible for social behaviors and complex abstract thoughts. Damage here can bring about inappropriate social behaviors such as urinating in public for one. You can also experience a lack in emotional control.
- Next, you have the left and right frontal lobes, and these lobes are directly behind the prefrontal lobes. There are many behaviors associated here but certainly, the frontal eye fields are worth mentioning. This is your mind’s eye. You have the ability to see images in your brain like a photograph. This is important for understanding complex thoughts and integrating them. Damage here is devastating to intellectual activities and imaging. This area is also responsible for the motor output of the brain that controls all your body’s movement.
- Next, we have the left and right temporal lobes which are at ear level and just below the frontal lobes. This area is responsible for memory control, speech and speech comprehension (language). If this area is damaged, you will have any number of problems with speech.
- The left and right parietal lobes are located on the top of the head and behind the frontal lobes and are the sensory input area for the entire body. Damage here would look like sensory neglect. You might experience loss of pain, temperature, and flutter vibration. In other words, no sensations coming from your body will be received by the cortex.
- Next, we have the left and right occipital lobes which are found at the back of the head and are responsible for visual information coming from the eyes and local processing to make sense out of what you are seeing.
Consult with Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near You Today
Brain tissue has some ability to repair itself if the damage is not severe, but it cannot replace itself. Minor damage can heal while severe damage tends to become progressive and get worse with time. There are reports that estimate that over a lifetime, it can cost on average between $600,000 and $1,875,000 to care for a survivor of severe traumatic brain injury. Of course, the medical bills can be much higher for catastrophic brain injury.
If you have been seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident and experienced traumatic brain injury and are experiencing brain dysfunction, you may be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages. These types of accidents often involve long-term medical costs and rehabilitation, so you need to consider continued medical care and loss of your ability to earn wages in the future.
The Chester Law Group is an Ohio personal injury law firm experienced in motorcycle accidents involving traumatic brain injury and can guide you through the personal injury claim process. Also, remember that it is important that you consult with an attorney and do not rely on your doctor for advice. Your personal injury lawyer will advise you every step of the way. Call the attorneys at Chester Law Group today to get the help you want from people that you can trust.
Call the attorneys at Chester Law Group today at 800-218-4243 to get the help you want from people that you can trust.