When you’re a fan of riding motorcycles, it can be hard to imagine any other way to travel. To a motorcycle enthusiast, there is nothing better than hitting the open road on a big bike. However, driving a motorcycle can be risky, if the motorcyclist isn’t taking the proper precautions to ensure their safety on the road.
Unfortunately, every time you go out on your motorcycle, you risk the chance of a motorcycle collision. Georgia, in particular, is home to a high number of motorcycle collisions. More than 10 percent of all traffic fatalities in Georgia have been motorcyclists, since the year 2007, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia. In 2016, a reported 173 motorcyclists died as the result of a collision. This is especially harrowing because this number has increased by 26 percent since the year 2014, with 36 more fatalities.
Motorcycle accidents can also result in catastrophic injuries that are known to have complications. Let’s go over what these are and how, if you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence or recklessness of others, you may be entitled to compensation.
BRAIN INJURIES
Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, contribute to about 30 percent of all injury-related deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2013 alone, there were 2.8 million TBI-related emergency department visits.
A traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain has been through trauma, but there is no visible evidence (such as a wound.) Although some victims with a traumatic brain injury don’t survive their injuries, those who do have a long road ahead of them, involving physical and occupational therapy. Often, when the brain swells as a result of the injury, this can complicate or escalate the type of treatment the patient receives.
SPINAL INJURIES
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are another common type of injury after a motorcycle collision and are very serious injuries. Any damage to the spine must be treated immediately, as damage to the spine can lead to partial or full paralysis. In patients who receive surgery for a spinal injury, cardiovascular complications are common when the injury involves cervical and high thoracic SCI.
Rehabilitation can help those who incurred a spinal injury, but some victims of a motorcycle accident will not be able to live without assistance or expensive medical treatments.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a motorcycle accident in Georgia? Do you believe someone else’s negligence was responsible for the crash? You may be entitled to compensation. Call the Fry Law team, today, at 404-969-1284, to set up a legal consultation.
