Lacking the protection of an enclosed vehicle, 82,687 motorcyclists experienced injuries in a recent year. Unfortunately, not all injuries are readily apparent, with symptoms only presenting hours or days following a crash. Known as a delayed injury, motorcyclists may be unaware that they are injured and not attempt to seek medical treatment until it is too late.
If you or a loved one have recently been in a motorcycle crash, our South Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to help you recover the compensation to cover any accident-related costs.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Any strike or jolt to the head can interrupt brain signals, causing a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A traumatic brain injury can be either an open (penetrating) or a closed (non-penetrating) injury. Typically, a motorcyclist will suffer a closed injury in a crash, which causes the brain to jostle rapidly back and forth within the skull, causing damage to delicate brain tissue.
Symptoms of a TBI may include nausea or vomiting, blurred vision, problems with speech, dizziness, concentration problems, and problems with sleep. In some cases, symptoms may not present until days or weeks following an incident.
Fractured Ribs
If your collision impacted your chest, you may sustain a broken or fractured rib. If your accident pushes part of your rib deeper inside your body, the rib bone could puncture other organs, including your heart or lungs. Symptoms of a fractured rib may include pain, tenderness, and bruising of the chest.
Whiplash
Given the sudden acceleration and deceleration of a motorcycle crash, your head may move rapidly back and forth, resulting in whiplash. Whiplash is an injury to the cervical spine, which can also damage the tendons, nerves, and muscles in your neck. Since you may experience a rush of adrenaline following a crash, you may not realize that you have suffered an injury until hours or days later. Symptoms of whiplash often involve pain, stiffness, and tingling or numbness in the arms.
Abdominal Injuries
With a motorcyclist’s torso being completely exposed, abdominal injuries are frequent. Trauma to the abdomen frequently causes damage to the liver, kidneys, and spleens, which can result in internal bleeding. Internal organ damage has consistently correlated with a reduced survival rate.
Herniated Disc
A common injury in a crash, a herniated disc, is an injury to the spine that causes a disc (rounded cushion between your vertebrae) to slip out of place or tear. The outer layer of the disc will leak out a gel-like fluid, causing the vertebrae to press on the nerves of the spine. This can result in intense back pain, tingling in the legs or arms, and muscle weakness.
Whereas most herniated discs occur in the lower spine, motorcyclists often experience herniated discs in the cervical spine. Given the rush of adrenaline following a collision, symptoms may be delayed in onset.
Recovering Damages
In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to any of the following compensation:
- Lost wages
- Ambulatory services
- Surgeries and treatments
- Rehabilitative therapy
- Motorcycle repairs or replacement
When you hire our legal team, we will investigate your crash, gather pertinent evidence, and obtain witness testimony. We offer a tailored approach to each case, making any adjustments necessary to prove the other driver’s liability. When you are represented by our South Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys, you increase your chances of recovering maximum compensation on your claim.
Consult with a South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Attorney at Your Earliest Convenience
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle crash, we understand the stress that you are under. At Query Sautter & Uricchio, LLC, our South Carolina motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to recover the compensation that is justifiably yours. To schedule your initial consultation, contact us online or by phone today.