If you are a motorcycle enthusiast, you probably enjoy the thrill and freedom of riding on the open road. However, you also know that motorcycles come with certain risks that are not present in cars. Motorcycle accidents are different from car accidents in many ways, and they frequently result in more severe and lasting injuries, especially to the brain. Please continue reading and reach out to a seasoned Stamford, Connecticut auto accident lawyer from Casper & de Toledo to learn more about the differences between motorcycle and car accidents, and how we can help if you’ve been injured in an auto accident of any kind.
Motorcycle Accidents Are More Dangerous than Car Accidents
One of the main differences between motorcycle and car accidents is that motorcycle accidents are typically more dangerous than car accidents. This is because motorcycles offer less protection than cars, and motorcyclists are more vulnerable to external factors such as weather, road conditions, and other vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a crash than those driving cars. Additionally, the passenger death rate is nearly six times higher in motorcycle crashes than in auto accidents.
Motorcycle Accidents Often Cause More Severe Brain Injuries than Car Accidents – Regardless of Helmet Use
Another notable disparity between motorcycle and car accidents is that motorcycle accidents often inflict more severe brain injuries than car accidents. Some of the factors that make motorcycle accidents more prone to cause TBI than car accidents are as follows:
- Motorcycles are not equipped with airbags or seat belts that can potentially cushion the impact of a collision.
- Motorcycles do not have roofs or doors that can shield the head from striking the pavement or other objects.
- Motorcycles are inherently less stable than four-wheel vehicles and are more likely to skid or flip over during a crash.
- Motorcycles are less visible and more likely to be hit by other vehicles or objects, particularly when other drivers fail to perceive an approaching motorcycle in their blind spot.
Even if motorcyclists wear helmets, they do not prevent TBI. Helmets can reduce the risk of the severity of the injury but, unfortunately, they cannot eliminate it completely. Helmets can also be damaged or dislodged during a crash, leaving the head exposed. Moreover, helmets do not protect against rotational forces that can cause diffuse axonal injury (DAI), which is a type of TBI that occurs when the brain moves inside the skull and tears nerve fibers. DAI can cause permanent brain damage or death. So while helmet use can reduce the probability of skull fracture, it can’t fully protect the contents of your skull. There’s a reason that one should check the eggs inside the carton.
One more consideration – It probably isn’t a great idea to succumb to marketing campaigns (TV & billboards) where lawyers promote themselves as motorcycle enthusiasts. First, your lawyer can’t be a witness for your side. If your case requires testimony about riding a motorcycle, your lawyer will need to hire an expert witness. Second, the big marketing law firms tend to operate as settlement mills. Such an approach does not treat you like a person but more like a number. Third, the law firms that are marketing mills generally randomly assign your case – with little thought or consideration for your injuries. If you need a lawyer who knows brain injury, do you want to be playing roulette with that selection?
Importantly, any motorcyclist who has been involved in an accident must seek medical attention as soon as possible. Some signs or symptoms of TBI may appear immediately after the accident, while others may appear days or weeks later. If your helmet took a hit, then probably so did your brain’s gray matter and/or white matter. A prompt diagnosis and treatment can improve the chances of recovery and reduce the complications of TBI. Additionally, if you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, or an auto accident of any kind, due to the negligence of another, you may qualify for compensation. Therefore, you should strongly consider speaking with the Connecticut personal injury lawyers at Casper & de Toledo. Our personal injury consultations are free, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by simply reaching out and telling us your story.
