Last updated on May 11, 2022
Washington state is a premier destination for motorcycling, with the sweeping curves of mountain roads, breathtaking views, and fresh, sparkling air. Unfortunately, it is also the location of many serious or fatal motorcycle accidents. When a motorcyclist is hit by another vehicle, the rider hits the road surface with force, even when a collision is at slow speeds. While a helmet provides critical protection, it cannot entirely protect a rider from suffering a concussion or other serious head injury in a motorcycle accident
Helmets And Head Injuries
Under Washington state law, all motorcycle, scooter, or low-powered motorcycle operators must be wearing an approved motorcycle helmet. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,) “motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of death by 37%; [they] reduce the risk of injury by 69%.” A full-face motorcycle helmet has the added benefit of providing protective layers for your head, face, neck, and upper spine, and protection for your eyes and ears. These helmets also protect your eyes and face from rain, road dust, and debris disturbed by other vehicles, and protects your hearing by reducing highway and motorcycle noise levels.
Brain Trauma: The Consequences
A motorcycle accident can lead to brain trauma, leaving the injured person with long-term disabilities, including:
- Cognition (problems with thinking, memory, the ability to reason)
- Sensory damage (sight, hearing, taste, touch, olfactory)
- Communication difficulties (ability to express thoughts or understand)
- Behavioral problems (depression, anxiety, aggressive behavior, changes in personality and others)
In the most severe cases, the injured person cannot recover, and remains in a vegetative state or unable to function, requiring medical care and treatment for his or her remaining lifetime. The person responsible for the accident must be held accountable for this tragic outcome. A claim or lawsuit can be filed to seek to recover compensation. The compensation recovered must be of a value that the injured person has access to the financial resources for the best medical care, and the best quality of life possible, under the circumstances.
What Are Some Types Of Head Injuries In Motorcycle Accidents?
With head injuries, it is often difficult to predict how long recovery will take, or to determine whether a full recovery is even possible. The types of head injuries that commonly occur in motorcycle accidents, along with the symptoms, are as follows:
- Mild brain injury: Brief, if any, loss of consciousness, vomiting, dizziness, lethargy, headaches, loss of balance, irritability, memory loss
- Moderate brain injury: Unconsciousness up to 24 hours, signs of brain trauma, contusions or bleeding, persistent headache, convulsions, vomiting, nausea
- Severe brain injury: Unconsciousness exceeding 24 hours (coma); repeated vomiting, nausea, convulsions, seizures, pupil dilation, clear fluids from nose and ears, agitation, slurred speech or vegetative state
Compensation In Motorcycle Accident Head Injury Cases
When another driver caused the accident, the injured rider has the right to pursue compensation for damages by filing a claim or lawsuit. Assessing the victim’s condition and predicting the level of recovery after a head injury can be a complex issue, requiring the assistance of medical professionals to provide information about the long-term effects of the head injury, and the quality of life the victim could expect in the years ahead.
What Are Damages That May Be Paid In Head Injury Cases?
Head injuries can alter a person’s life forever, leaving them facing many challenges, including physical, mental, cognitive and emotional. The damages pursued will include the following:
- Economic damages: The costs of medical treatment following the accident, currently, and estimated for the future, along with lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and all other financial losses associated with the injury.
- Non-economic damages: This type of compensation may be very high value in a head injury case and is paid to the victim for pain and suffering, emotional anguish, loss of quality of life, and other personal and emotional damages.
Why Is Pendergast Law The Right Choice For Me?
The Seattle injury attorneys at Pendergast Law have supported and represented motorcycle accident survivors and their loved ones for decades. Our goal is to put our experience and knowledge at your disposal to pursue the compensation you deserve, freeing you or your loved one to focus on their health and, hopefully, a full recovery. Call us today toll-free at 888-539-9211 for a free consultation.