Motorcycles give you a sense of freedom that no other vehicle can. You are in control of your machine, and no one can stop you. You ride where you like, when you like, with no restrictions. And not to forget the thrill of racing down a coastal highway with the wind crashing on you and adrenaline levels hitting the sky.
Unfortunately, all of that comes with a risk.In 2020 alone, over 5,500 people were killed in motorcycle accidents, accounting for 14% of all traffic fatalities.Also, over 80,000 motorcyclists suffered injuries in 2020. These statistics show the horrifying truth about the consequences of unsafe or inexperienced driving.
Motorcyclists who are injured in accidents do have a ray of hope, though. Experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can help you recover just compensation for the injuries you have suffered. This article concentrates on how a motorcycle injury, particularly a head injury, can wreak havoc in your day-to-day life.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Sadly, TBIs are a common occurrence for riders involved in motorcycle accidents. A TBI occurs when a rider’s head strikes the ground due to an accident or loss of control. TBIs can either be mild and cured in a few days or be severe and leave you requiring life-long medical care or therapy. TBIs are usually categorized as mild, moderate, and severe.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and received a head injury, it’d be wise to look for these symptoms.
Mild TBI
- Headache
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Speech impediments
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Constant ringing in the ears
- Alterations in the ability to smell
- Light/sound sensitivity
- Falling unconscious often
- Disorientation
- Memory/concentration issues
- Mood swings
- Feelings of depression and anxiety
- Trouble falling asleep or sleeping too much
Moderate/Severe TBI
- Falling unconscious for a time ranging from a few minutes to hours
- A severe headache or a headache that worsens over time
- Frequent vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Pupil dilation
- Watery nose or ears
- Trouble waking from sleep
- Weakness or loss of sensation in fingers or toes
- Loss of coordination
- The constant state of confusion
- Speech impediments
- Coma
The symptoms listed above considered for other health conditions as well. But it is recommended to take special care if you find any of these symptoms after being involved in a motorcycle accident.
Head injuries can cause health complications that can either appear immediately or at a later time. They can grouped into 7 categories. They are,
- Consciousness Problems: A TBI can affect a person’s state of consciousness, responsiveness, or awareness. A victim of severe TBI can end up in a coma, vegetative state, or, in some cases, even brain death. There are also instances where victims were in a minimally conscious state with slight signs of self-awareness.
- Physical Issues: The most basic physical symptom TBI victims suffer from is a headache. In addition, victims may experience other conditions like vertigo, blood vessel damage that leads to stroke or blood clots, bacterial infections, fluid buildup in the brain causing increased pressure and swelling, and seizures.
- Intellectual Complications: A severe brain injury may interfere with a person’s cognitive skills. Conditions like memory loss, learning/attention disabilities, errors in reasoning or judgment, problem-solving issues, and trouble starting and completing tasks are a few of the common intellectual complications.
- Communication Difficulties:A TBI has the ability to meddle with a person’s speaking abilities. They can find it difficult to speak or write, they have trouble keeping up with conversations, they cannot understand non-verbal signals, and they may face issues understanding speech or writing.
- Behavioral Troubles:A brain injury may alter a person’s behavior. The victim may face difficulties in maintaining self-control, indulge in risk-taking behavior, have occasional verbal or physical outbursts, and lack awareness of their abilities.
- Emotional Problems: Victims of a brain injury may suffer from mild to severe emotional conditions such as depression, anxiety, irritated easily, a lack of empathy, regular mood swings, anger issues, and insomnia.
- Sensory Problems: Common sensory problems victims of TBI suffer from include poor hand-eye coordination, difficulty in smelling or tasting, dizziness, double vision, blind spots, and a tingling sensation in the skin.
Although not a comprehensive list, these are the 7 common complications a victim of a head injury in a motorcycle accident suffers from. Motorcycle riders are prone to accidents, even if they follow all the safety guidelines. It is necessary to stay educated on the topic so that you know what to do if you or a loved one involved in a motorcycle accident.
