Motorcycles may be fun to ride, but they are inherently very dangerous for several reasons. They offer almost no physical protection in a crash and have none of the standard safety features found in most passenger vehicles, such as seatbelts, airbags, or crash-resistant frames. Even with the best riding gear and helmet, any motorcyclist faces the risk of severe or fatal injury every time they ride.
If you or a family member ride a motorcycle, it is vital to acknowledge these risks and know what to do if you experience an accident. A Denver motorcycle accident attorney is the ideal resource to consult in this situation. When you have legal representation you can trust, they can guide you through the auto insurance claim process and help build a personal injury claim when insurance can’t fully cover your damages.
Risks of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents happen for the same reasons as all other motor vehicle accidents, such as distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding, and moving violations. However, these accidents tend to result in more severe damages for those involved. A few of the most commonly reported motorcycle accident injuries in the state each year include:
- Traumatic brain injuries. These can happen easily, even when riders wear safety helmets. Any traumatic brain injury has the potential to cause long-term or permanent harm to the victim, including disabilities that may prevent them from working or living independently in the future.
- Spinal cord injuries. The spinal cord connects the brain to the rest of the body. Any injury to the spinal cord has the potential to cause permanent paralysis in the body connected below the injury site. An incomplete spinal cord injury may result in diminished mobility, whereas a complete injury will cause paralysis. The spinal cord cannot repair itself like the rest of the body, so any injury is permanent.
- Broken bones. Bone fractures are common results of motorcycle accidents. Some bone fractures will heal completely with time and appropriate care, while others will require surgical intervention and may entail additional complications like chronic pain and nerve damage.
- “Road rash.” This is a term assigned to friction burns that can happen when a rider slides along the road surface after being thrown from their motorcycle. Pieces of the road can become embedded in the skin, and this condition is not only very painful but often results in permanent scarring as well.
This is not an exhaustive list of all the possible injuries a person can suffer in a motorcycle accident. Many victims sustain multiple injuries and face months or even years of complications from their accidents.
Recovery from a motorcycle accident typically begins with an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver. If you cannot recover the full amount of your losses through their insurance policy, you can file a personal injury case. An experienced Denver motorcycle accident attorney is the ideal asset to have on your side in this situation. Your legal team can help file your auto insurance claim and prepare a compelling civil suit against the driver who injured you.
FAQs on Common Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
What Is the Most Common Injury Among Motorcycle Accident Victims?
Motorcycle accident victims often sustain multiple injuries in a single crash. They can be injured from the primary collision with the other vehicle and the secondary impact of hitting the ground. Traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal injuries, and road rash from sliding on pavement are a few of the most commonly reported motorcycle accident injuries in the United States each year.
What Is the Most Common Fatal Injury From Motorcycle Accidents?
Traumatic brain injuries are the most commonly reported cause of death in motorcycle accidents across the United States each year. While riders are strongly encouraged to wear appropriately fitted helmets, even the best helmets can only mitigate a head injury, not prevent them entirely. If a fatal motorcycle crash occurs due to the negligence or misconduct of another driver, they can face liability for a wrongful death claim from the victim’s family.
Is Lane Splitting Legal?
Lane splitting refers to a vehicle sharing space in a lane next to another vehicle or riding the white lane between adjacent lanes of traffic. While some claim this can allow motorcyclists to avoid dangerous situations and enable a smoother flow of traffic, lane splitting is illegal in Colorado. It is permissible, however, for two motorcyclists to ride side-by-side in the same lane, and this may make them more visible to other drivers in certain situations.
How Do I Prove Fault for a Motorcycle Accident?
Every motorcycle accident victim will face different legal challenges when it comes to establishing liability for these incidents. Your attorney can help you gather evidence from the scene of the accident, such as recordings from nearby traffic cameras. They can also contact witnesses and take their statements, and they may also seek digital evidence like the alleged at-fault driver’s cell phone records. You must prove fault for your accident before you can obtain compensation for your damages.
How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal does not charge upfront or ongoing legal fees for representation in the personal injury cases we accept. Instead, we take cases on a contingency fee basis. This ensures that our client has the legal counsel they need to maximize their recovery, and we only take a percentage of the total amount we recover on a client’s behalf. If we cannot obtain compensation for the client, they pay nothing, eliminating any financial risk of hiring the legal counsel they need when they need it most.
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has years of professional experience handling a wide range of civil claims on behalf of clients throughout the state. If you are struggling in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, we can help recover your damages in the most efficient manner. Contact us today and schedule a consultation with our team to learn more about how we can empower your recovery efforts after a motorcycle accident.