Serious Motorcycle Injuries Often Come After the Initial Collision
Texas motorcyclists face a high risk of severe injuries due to the negligence of other drivers. However, unlike in many car accidents, the force of the initial collision with another vehicle is often not the source of the worst injuries in a motorcycle crash. Rather, those injuries frequently come from a motorcyclist’s impact with the road surface or another stationary object after being thrown from their vehicle. If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, a personal injury attorney can help you recover compensation.
What Causes Motorcyclist Injuries in Texas?
Unlike occupants of passenger vehicles who are often contained by safety measures including seat belts, airbags, and the vehicle frame, motorcyclists have very little to keep them protected and secured to their vehicle in the event of a collision. As such, when a motorcycle is struck by another vehicle, the rider is almost always flung from the motorcycle, often leading to a high-speed impact with an object like a median or barrier, a utility pole, or the road itself. Motorcyclists who are ejected from their vehicle may also be at risk of further injury from passing traffic that may not be able to react in time to avoid them.
In some cases, a motorcyclist may be thrown from their vehicle even without a direct collision with another car. For example, they could lose control after swerving to avoid a collision, or they could be dragged across the road after laying down their motorcycle to prevent a crash, as they may have been trained to do. Anytime a motorcyclist is thrown from their vehicle, they can suffer severe injuries including:
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Road rash
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
When Can Injured Motorcyclists Recover Compensation?
Pursuing a personal injury claim is possible under any circumstances in which another driver’s negligence, whether due to distraction, drunk driving, or some other cause, is responsible for the injuries. In the case of a collision, a negligent driver could be liable not only for injuries caused by the first impact, but also injuries the motorcyclist suffered after falling from their bike. Working with an attorney to investigate the causes of the crash and injuries can help you make your case for the most possible compensation.
A driver who was not involved in a direct collision with a motorcyclist could still be found negligent for injuries a motorcyclist suffered in an attempt to avoid a collision, though negligence is often more challenging to prove in this case, especially if the other driver is unaware of their role in the accident and does not stop to help and exchange information. However, an attorney can still help you explore all possible avenues for recovering for your damages.
Contact a New Braunfels Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you may have injuries that require expensive medical treatment and that will affect you for the rest of your life. At The Bettersworth Law Firm, our experienced New Braunfels personal injury attorney can help you obtain the compensation you need to recover as much as possible. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling 830-443-9193.
Source:
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycle-safety
