Motorcycle accidents can often lead to the rider experiencing brain trauma and life-long changes to their mental and physical abilities. There are prevention strategies a rider can utilize to help keep them out of harm’s way while on the road. If a motorcyclist suffers from a traumatic brain injury because of an accident, emergency medical attention is needed right away. The pressure of a brain injury can quickly cause a life-threatening situation. Here we have answered questions regarding motorcycle accidents, hemorrhages, and why defensive driving is so important.
What are the Long-Term Effects of a Brain Injury?
Brain injuries can be devastating for motorcycle riders, leaving them with physical, emotional, intellectual, and social difficulties. Many riders may be afraid to get back onto their bike again after a serious crash. Long-term effects of a brain injury can include any or a combination of the following:
- Loss of coordination
- Impairment of motor skills
- Recurrent seizures
- Paralysis to extremities
- Decreased cognitive abilities
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Frequent irritability
- Mood Swings
How Can a Brain Injury Be Prevented?
Always wear a helmet that is professionally designed to help protect motorcyclists. Riders may complain that helmets are annoying to wear, they don’t look very cool, or cause minor vision and hearing impairments. Those who ride without a fully protective helmet are risking a traumatic brain injury if an accident were to occur. The primary reason for deaths among motorcyclists is in fact due to traumatic brain injuries when the head collides with the ground after a rider falls off their bike. A motorcyclist may have internal bleeding among other conditions, but it is a brain injury that results in most fatalities.
Another way to help prevent a motorcycle accident is to practice defensive driving. Cars have a shell of metal that protects the driver and passengers to an extent. Motorcyclists do not have this luxury and are even more vulnerable while sharing the road. Take a motorcycle safety course that focuses on defensive driving strategies. Car drivers may become easily distracted by the radio, cellphone, or other passengers. Part of riding a motorcycle safely means having to watch out for negligent and reckless vehicles. Get to know your bike and how to handle various weather conditions.
What Kind of Brain Injury is Common for Motorcyclists?
Hemorrhages (or also known as hematomas) happen when there is bleeding in the brain. There are three types of hemorrhages a motorcyclist can experience, including:
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: bleeding between the protective tissues that encompass the brain.
- Epidural hemorrhage: bleeding between the outer skull area and the brain outer covering (the dura).
- Subdural hemorrhage: bleeding between the brain and the dura, which can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical attention.
What Makes a Traumatic Brain Injury Fatal?
Most motorcyclists who pass away from a traumatic brain injury do not die because of blood loss, but by pressure instead. Severe head injuries can cause swelling of the brain and an increase of pressure within the skull. This pressure alone can cause significant brain damage and can eventually lead to death. Speak with an experienced attorney about your options such as the motorcycle accident lawyer locals trust.
