Connecticut is no exception to motorcycle accidents. In 2022, Connecticut recorded 3,601 motorcycle collisions, in which a majority resulted in severe injuries sustained by the victims. If you have been involved in a motorcycle collision, it is crucial to understand the most common injuries which can occur in order to protect your rights and seek appropriate compensation.
Road Rash
One of the most common injuries resulting from a motorcycle accident is road rash. Road rash occurs when the motorcycle driver’s skin makes direct contact with the road surface during a crash. Due to a lack of physical protection and high speed, this friction can result in painful abrasions, scrapes, and deep cuts, which in turn can leave riders permanently disfigured.
Face & Neck
Due to the limited protection offered by helmets and other safety gear, a motorcycle rider’s face and neck is particularly vulnerable. In a motorcycle crash, riders can sustain lacerations, fractures, contusions, or soft tissue injuries to their face and neck. These injuries can lead to long-lasting pain, disfigurement, scarring, and potential difficulties with breathing, speaking, or swallowing.
Broken Bones
Another common injury in motorcycle crashes is broken bones. The impact of a motorcycle collision can lead to fractures in various parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, upper & lower extremities, as well ribs and collarbones. Broken bones can cause immense pain, require extensive medical treatment, and result in long recovery periods, sometimes leading to permanent limitations.
Spine Damage
Motorcycle accidents can also cause severe spinal cord injuries that could affect the victim for the rest of their life. A spinal cord injury can result in total paralysis or other forms of long-term disability. The impact of the crash can lead to spinal cord compression, fractures, herniated discs, or damage to the nerves, all of which can significantly affect a victim’s quality of life.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Head injuries, particularly traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which are caused by a severe impact to a victim’s head, are a major concern in motorcycle accidents. Even when wearing a helmet, motorcycle riders are vulnerable to concussions, contusions, or more severe brain injuries. TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive impairments, memory loss, behavioral changes, and a range of other physical and psychological symptoms.
Burns Due to Spilled Fuel
In a motorcycle accident, the motorcycle’s fuel tank can rupture, which can spill fuel on the road and the motorcycle rider. These fuel spills can result in burns to the rider’s body, which can cause excruciating pain, scarring, and in severe cases, traffic fatalities. Motorcycle accident victims who suffer burns often require extensive medical treatment, such as skin grafts and reconstructive surgery.
Internal Organ Damage
Motorcycle collisions unleash high amounts of kinetic energy on motorcycle riders due to the high speed and lack of physical protection. As a result, the force of impact during a motorcycle accident can cause victims to suffer severe internal injuries. In addition to internal bleeding, organs such as the victim’s lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys may sustain life-threatening damage due to blunt force trauma.
Death
Due to the limited protection motorcycles offer, riders involved in severe collisions face a higher risk of death compared to occupants of regular vehicles. In 2022, 60 motorcycle riders lost their lives as a result of motorcycle collisions in Connecticut. Representation by an experienced personal injury attorney is essential in order to pursue a wrongful death claim (Sec. 52.555) in Connecticut.
Many Motorcycle Injuries Can Result in Permanent Damage
In 2022, 261 victims suffered serious injuries due to motorcycle accidents in Connecticut. Due to their exposed nature, motorcycle riders are at high risk of suffering serious injuries including nerve damage, disfigurement, permanent disability, and brain damage. As serious injuries often require extensive future medical care, it is crucial for a motorcycle accident victim to retain the services of a Connecticut personal injury lawyer in order to secure the compensation they need to rebuild their life.
Filing a Lawsuit for Injuries Caused by a Motorcycle Collision
If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident in Connecticut, you may have grounds to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver of the other vehicle. Due to the high financial exposure they face from motorcycle accident lawsuits, insurance companies spend vast amounts of money to fiercely defend these lawsuits in order to avoid paying proper compensation to motorcycle accident victims. The Connecticut personal injury attorneys at the Carter Mario Law Firm know how to investigate the facts surrounding motorcycle accidents in order to build strong cases on behalf of our clients.
Talk with a Connecticut Motorcycle Accident Attorney
The Connecticut personal injury lawyers at the Carter Mario Law Firm have spent over 30 years successfully litigating motorcycle accident lawsuits, as seen by our achievement of securing over One Billion Dollars in financial compensation for our clients. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can evaluate your case, gather critical evidence, fight against the insurance company, and protect your rights in court. Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn more about our services.
