Types of Compensation For Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can have tragic consequences and cause fatal as well as permanently disabling injuries. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable in an accident since they do not have the protection of an enclosed vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recognizes this and recommends that cyclists wear the appropriate gear, such as helmets and visible clothing, to be as safe as possible. However, motorcyclists who do everything right can still end up in a horrific accident due to no fault of their own. Motorcycle accident injuries can leave a victim with catastrophic physical, emotional, and financial harm.
However, if someone else’s negligence is responsible for your motorcycle accident, they may have the legal responsibility to compensate you for any of your injuries and financial losses. Contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law today to find out more about your legal right to receive compensation in a free consultation at (651) 259-1113.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Injuries in serious motorcycle accidents can be catastrophic for the motorcycle rider, especially if they end up ejected from their seat or under the wheels of another vehicle. However, even in a minor accident, a motorcyclist without a helmet and protective gear could suffer significant head trauma or other life-threatening injuries. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), motorcyclists often suffer from lower extremity, abdominal, and chest injuries as a result of accidents. Injuries in motorcycle accidents can also include:
Road Rash
Motorcyclists can suffer from mild or serious road rash when their skin makes contact with the road. While road rash can be harmless, serious cases involving the removal of several layers of the skin may require surgeries and skin grafting.
Head and Brain Injuries
Severe head trauma can cause fatalities in motorcycle accidents. Survivors may never be able to lead independent lives again. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), for example, can cause debilitating complications such as long-lasting cognitive problems, seizures, and pain. Head and brain injuries from a motorcycle accident may need expensive medical treatments and rehabilitative therapies for months or even years.
Bone Fractures or Breaks
Complicated fractures and completely shattered bones can require multiple surgeries and prolonged physiotherapy. A motorcyclist might suffer from permanently reduced mobility and loss of function as a result of fractures. Shattered bones can also lead to infections that could potentially result in an amputation of a limb. Even a simple fracture will require some recovery time and may cause a considerable loss of income.
Permanent Disfigurement
Since the head is perhaps the most vulnerable body part in an accident, a motorcyclist can suffer permanent facial scarring and disfigurement. Scarring could require several rounds of expensive plastic surgery. Additionally, a motorcycle accident victim might suffer from emotional distress related to disfigurement for the rest of their lives.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Spinal cord injuries are typically serious and can cause severe disability such as paralysis. There are to date no medical treatments or therapies that can reverse serious damage or severance of the spinal cord. The physical, mental, and financial consequences of a serious spinal cord injury cannot be underestimated.
Emotional and Psychological Distress
A serious motorcycle accident can have a long-term detrimental influence on an accident victim’s mental health. Emotional effects can include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, fearfulness, and an overall inability to return to daily life.
Motorcycle accident injuries can result in significant long-term costs. A mountain of medical bills and having to take time off work can cause financial hardship for motorcycle accident victims and their families. If you have injuries and other damages due to the fault of another driver, you may have the right to receive compensation for those injuries and losses. Contact Tyroler Leonard Injury Law as soon as possible to discuss your claim, and to learn more about your legal rights.
Types of Compensation Available for Motorcycle Accident Victims
You may have excellent control of your motorcycle and be a careful and respectful rider, however, you cannot control the actions of other drivers. Other drivers may cause an accident due to negligence such as driving while intoxicated, failing to yield, speeding, operating a vehicle while drowsy, driving while distracted, or driving generally recklessly. If another driver caused your motorcycle accident as a result of their negligence, you could recover compensation for economic as well as non-economic losses.
Economic Losses
Economic losses are relatively easy to determine as they relate directly to monetary losses experienced by the victim, and can include:
- Motorcycle repair or replacement
- Loss of income as a result of being unable to return to work
- Medical treatments and therapy
- Over-the-counter and prescription medications
- Medical devices such as a wheelchair and crutches
- A home health aide
- Transport costs
- Car rental expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs
Non-Economic Losses
Non-economic losses can be somewhat challenging to calculate as they do not come with a dollar value or receipt and are therefore largely subjective. If you suffered significant motorcycle accident injuries, however, your non-economic losses could make up a large portion of your overall settlement. Therefore, you should consult with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you calculate your non-economic losses appropriately. Non-economic losses can include compensation such as:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of limbs
- Permanent disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of life quality
Tyroler Leonard Injury Law can help you determine both your economic and non-economic losses and ensure that you receive the appropriate amount under the law for your injuries and losses.
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law
If you suffer from extensive injuries after a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, having an experienced and compassionate motorcycle accident lawyer by your side during this challenging time can provide you with the reassurance that your legal rights remain protected at all times. Contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at Tyroler Leonard Injury Law at (651) 259-1113 in order to learn more about your legal rights and all of your legal options to receive the compensation you deserve.
Attorney Isaac Tyroler
Attorney Isaac Tyroler has been a strong advocate for injured people his entire legal career. He has a passion for righting wrongs, and he deeply cares about representing injured clients who may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to navigate the legal system. He is compassionate toward clients and aggressive with insurance companies and defendants. He is on the elected Board of Governors of the Minnesota Association of Justice (MAJ), the top personal injury lawyers’ group in Minnesota. And is currently the chair of MAJ’s legislative committee. [ Attorney Bio ]
