Motorcycle accidents can be devastating for victims and their families – and the physical/emotional impacts of these accidents can last a lifetime.
Motorcycle riders are at a significantly higher risk on the roads than other motorists. To put it in perspective, motorcycles account for 3 percent of all vehicles registered in Colorado, but make up 20 percent of traffic fatalities, per data from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Unlike motor vehicles, there are no airbags, seatbelts, or metal walls to guard victims in the event of a crash. Even accidents at lower speeds can result in severe injuries.
At Manning Herington Accident & Injury Attorneys, we’ve managed hundreds of Colorado motorcycle accident cases. Many victims we work with are facing more than physical injuries – their entire outlook on life has been changed due to the accident.
In this post, we will explain the extent of the physical, emotional, and financial impacts of these types of cases.
Physical Impacts from Motorcycle Accidents
Physical injuries are very common in motorcycle accidents – with varying degrees of severity. The most common types of physical injuries we see in motorcycle accident cases involve:
Broken Bones and Fractures
Due to riders having very little protection, they are extremely vulnerable to high-impact collisions. We’ve worked with victims facing all sorts of broken bones and fractures, including (but not limited to):
- Skull fractures
- Arm fractures
- Broken ribs
- Broken collarbones
- Hip fractures
- Pelvis fractures
- Broken feet
- Broken legs
Many broken bones and fractures require surgery, physical therapy, and months of recovery – leaving victims with extensive medical bills and lost wages (due to the inability to work).
In some cases, complications like infections or improper healing can prolong the recovery process. These injuries can also lead to chronic pain or reduced mobility, having a long-term impact on the victim’s life.
Seeking immediate medical attention after the accident and working with specialists to develop treatment plans are the most important steps in the recovery process.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Motorcycle accidents commonly result in the victim being thrown from the bike. This can cause whiplash and spinal cord injuries – which may lead to partial or full paralysis. Secondary health issues, such as pressure sores or respiratory problems, are common with spinal injuries over time.
If the spinal cord injury is severe, victims may need lifelong medical care, assistive medical devices, and modifications to their home – which adds significant financial costs.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Unfortunately, motorcycle helmets are not required in the state of Colorado – even though they are proven to save lives.
Head injuries are very common motorcycle accident injuries, even with helmets. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can cause lasting cognitive issues, physical impairments, and in some cases, death.
The symptoms of head injuries are not always noticeable immediately – and may take hours or days to set in. Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, and chronic headaches are some of the most common symptoms of TBIs. In severe cases, TBIs can impact speech, motor skills, and emotional regulation.
This is why it’s so important to get examined by the medical staff on the scene immediately after the accident, even if you feel ok. These professionals are trained to spot the early signs of head injuries and take proper action.
Emotional Impacts of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accident injuries can go beyond physical impacts. To many enthusiasts, riding a motorcycle is a big part of their identity. We’ve heard some describe their motorcycle as a magic carpet. Suffering an injury in a motorcycle accident can change this reality for riders – leaving deep emotional scars.
Some of the most common emotional impacts our clients deal with following motorcycle accidents include:
1. Anxiety and Fear
Motorcycle accidents can be extremely traumatic – and anxiety is a very common result. Riders may be fearful about getting on a bike again, even at lower speeds. In some cases, victims may develop anxiety related to road travel in general.
These fears can affect daily life, relationships, and work. Therapy or counseling may be necessary to overcome these challenges. Physical reminders of the accident, such as scars or ongoing pain, can intensify feelings of anxiety.
Victims may also avoid places or situations that remind them of the accident, which can potentially reduce their quality of life. Overcoming anxiety after a motorcycle crash takes time, support from loved ones, and therapeutic techniques.
2. Depression
Physical injuries can play a big role in emotional injuries after a motorcycle accident. For instance, physical injuries may inhibit the victim’s ability to work or enjoy their favorite hobbies – leading to a decreased quality of life.
Additionally, the financial strain from medical bills and lost income can deepen feelings of sadness or despair. Social isolation during recovery can also exacerbate depression, making it harder to heal emotionally.
For motorcycle enthusiasts, the simple reality of not being able to hit the open road may trigger serious bouts of depression.
A structured recovery plan – which commonly includes counseling – is imperative to meet the victim’s emotional needs and regain their sense of purpose.
3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Motorcycle accidents can leave victims with flashbacks, nightmares, and higher stress levels. This is very common in the days and weeks following the accident.
PTSD can make it difficult to regain the quality of life they had before the accident. Treatment for PTSD generally includes therapy and medication to manage symptoms.
Victims may experience “triggers” that bring back memories of the accident, such as loud noises or certain smells. Family and friends play a huge role in supporting victims, but professional help and therapy are recommended for long-term recovery.
Financial Impacts from Motorcycle Accidents
After a motorcycle accident, victims are usually facing many expenses. Some of these expenses are easy to quantify, while others can be more subjective. Financial impacts in personal injury cases are measured by “damages”.
Damages refer to everything the victims have suffered due to the accident. These damages are typically placed in two categories: economic and non-economic.
1. Economic Damages
Economic damages are relatively easy to quantify. These generally include expenses like medical bills, missed/reduced paychecks, property damage, and so on. In other words, these damages are characterized by any expenses with a clear paper trail (receipts, invoices, estimates, etc.) The most common economic damages in motorcycle accident cases include:
2. Medical Expenses
Medical bills after a motorcycle accident usually involve the cost of emergency care, surgeries, medications, and follow-up treatments – which add up quickly. Even with health insurance, victims may face large out-of-pocket costs.
Victims may also need long-term care. This may involve rehabilitation, modifications to their home, medical devices, etc. When an attorney builds a personal injury case, they will need to gather ALL of these records – including all medical bills and estimates for future care.
3. Lost Wages
The recovery process after a motorcycle accident commonly requires victims to miss work. The loss of income can make it hard to cover basic living expenses – and must be factored into motorcycle accident claims. These damages are calculated based on pay stubs, bonus records, and so on.
4. Lost Earning Potential
Some extreme injuries may lead to permanent job loss.
For instance, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may permanently impact the victim’s cognitive ability – making it impossible to return to work. In these scenarios, a motorcycle accident injury attorney will analyze salary history to calculate the loss of potential income, which will be factored into the claim for compensation.
5. Property Damage
If the accident compromised the motorcycle – or any other property present in the accident – the injury claim needs to account for this. Victims will need to provide purchase orders and receipts to calculate all the costs.
6. Non-Economic Damages
These damages refer to the emotional and physical toll on the victim’s life. Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages do not have a paper trail of expenses – and can be difficult to quantify.
When an attorney builds the injury claim, they will account for the victim’s:
7. Pain and Suffering
Physical pain and emotional anguish resulting from a motorcycle accident has a direct impact on the victim’s life. Struggles to move around, bouts of depression, and PTSD are common forms of pain and suffering.
A personal injury attorney will work closely with the victim to understand the depth of these issues and place a monetary value on them. It’s strongly recommended that victims meet with a professional therapist to openly discuss the pain and suffering they are dealing with. The reports of the therapy sessions can be used to help quantify these damages.
8. Reduced Quality of Life
Chronic pain and discomfort from the accident can make day-to-day activities and hobbies more difficult – in some cases, impossible. These issues may persist long after physical wounds heal.
For a motorcycle enthusiast, no longer being able to ride is a huge reduction in quality of life – and needs to be compensated for in the personal injury lawsuit.
What Does a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Do?
1. Gather Evidence to Build the Injury Claim
The strength of a motorcycle accident is based on the evidence collected and how it’s presented.
Injury attorneys are responsible for collecting medical records, accident reports, witness statements, photographs from the scene, and more to build a strong case. Lawyers may also work with an accident reconstructionist to analyze the details of the crash to replicate what happened.
All the evidence is examined and measured against the damages suffered by the victim to form the claim.
2. Calculating ALL Damages
Many victims tend to overlook certain damages when handling their claims without an attorney. A motorcycle accident injury lawyer will identify all possible losses and place a monetary value on them, including emotional suffering and future medical needs.
By considering long-term impacts, an attorney can help victims secure the maximum compensation.
3. Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Nearly all personal injury cases come down to negotiations with insurance companies.
Keep in mind, insurance companies are big businesses. They are obligated to minimize payouts to victims – and use many different tactics to do so. Experienced motorcycle accident attorneys know these tactics and navigate negotiations to fight for the highest settlement.
4. Representation in Court
Very few personal injury cases go to trial – but it can happen if the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement. A motorcycle accident attorney will decide if litigation is the best strategy given the circumstances.
In this scenario, the lawyer will manage the court process from start to finish. Most victims do not even need to attend the courtroom proceedings.
Speak with a Denver Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle accidents can have lasting physical and emotional impacts. However, the financial impacts can be minimal with a skilled personal injury attorney.
These lawyers work aggressively to hold the at-fault party accountable. Additionally, most work on a contingency fee agreement – meaning victims do not have to pay anything out of pocket to hire them.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, the first step is speaking to a professional injury law firm
At Manning Herington Accident & Injury Attorneys, our team of Denver motorcycle accident lawyers have managed hundreds of cases and secured thousands of dollars for victims. We offer FREE consultations to help victims understand the depth of their situation, their options, and the next steps to getting a settlement.
Send us a message online or call 720-515-3191 to get started.
