Long Island Motorcycle Accident Brain Injuries

Brain injuries are among the most common types of motorcycle accident injuries. Data from the New York Health Department reports that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) result in 2,200 deaths, 17,000 hospitalizations, and nearly 38,000 emergency department visits each year. Survivors incur enormous expenses for medical treatment and rehabilitation after a TBI. Many are also left with disabilities that impact their ability to live independently and work. If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury from a motorcycle accident, an experienced New York City motorcycle accident lawyer from Finz & Finz, P.C. will aggressively pursue maximum compensation from the responsible party.

For three generations, our nationally recognized, family-run law firm has advocated for the rights of accident victims throughout New York. Insurance companies, defense attorneys, and judges know our attorneys won’t back down until we’ve gotten justice for our clients. Our firm has secured record settlements and verdicts totaling over $1 billion.

After a motorcycle crash, trust a premier Long Island personal injury lawyer from Finz & Finz, P.C. to build a compelling and persuasive TBI claim for you. We never quit. Contact our New York City personal injury attorney today for a free consultation.

Motorcycle Accident Brain Injury Statistics

Motorcyclists are some of the most vulnerable road users. Current statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report that 5,932 motorcyclists died on the nation’s roads in a recent year, a record high since the agency began collecting data in 1975. Injuries spiked five percent to 82,686 during the same period.

An additional study from Syracuse University reported that of the average 4,500 motorcycle fatalities that occur annually in the United States, more than one-third of those deaths involved head injuries.

How Effective Are Helmets in Protecting Against Brain Injuries?

Studies have found that motorcycle helmets can significantly reduce the risk of brain injuries and death for riders involved in accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helmets lower the chances of death for motorcycle operators by 37 percent and by 41 percent for motorcycle passengers. The overall usage rate of DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets reached nearly 65 percent among motorcycle riders in one recent year. NHTSA further reports that in states without universal helmet laws, 55 percent of motorcycle accident fatalities involved a rider not wearing a helmet compared to nine percent in states with universal helmet law, such as New York. Additional data compiled by the U.S. Government Accountability Office shows that helmeted riders have a 73 percent lower fatality rate and an 85 percent lower rate of severe injuries than riders without helmets.

Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury

The symptoms a motorcycle accident victim might experience after a TBI depends on the type and severity of the injury. Signs of a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury may include:

• A bad taste in the mouth
• Blurred vision
• Brief loss of consciousness
• Depression or anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
• Difficulty speaking
• Disorientation or confusion
• Dizziness or problems with balance
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Headaches
• Mood changes
• Nausea or vomiting
• Problems with memory or concentration
• Ringing in the ears
• Sensitivity to light or sound

Although most symptoms of a mild TBI resolve in a few days or weeks without medical treatment, medical providers, family, and friends should monitor an accident victim during recovery for persistent or worsening symptoms, which may indicate a more severe brain injury.

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries cause more serious symptoms, including:

• Agitation or combativeness
• Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
• Convulsions or seizures
• Coordination issues
• Dilated pupils
• Inability to awaken
• Loss of consciousness lasting several minutes to several hours
• Persistent nausea and vomiting
• Persistent or worsening headache
• Profound confusion
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness in the fingers and toes

If untreated, moderate to severe TBIs can lead to coma, vegetative state, minimally conscious state, or other consciousness disorders.

Common Brain Injuries

Some of the most common traumatic brain injuries that occur in motorcycle accidents include:

• Concussion – Also known as a mild brain injury, a concussion involves temporary changes to brain function caused by a traumatic force or jolt to the head or body. Most concussions heal with rest in a few days or weeks. Repeated concussions can put a person at risk of more severe brain injuries or degenerative brain diseases like chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
• Contusion – A contusion is bruising that occurs when the brain strikes the inside of the skull with sufficient force.
• Coup-contrecoup – One type of brain contusion is coup-contrecoup, which occurs when the brain hits the inside of the skull with enough force to rebound and strike the opposing side, causing bruises on both sides of the brain.
• Diffuse axonal injury – A diffuse axonal injury happens when twisting forces on the head and brain have a shearing effect on the connections between nerve cells called axons. This shearing effect can sever axons, destroying the links between brain cells.
• Hematoma – A collection of blood within the skull caused by the bursting of a blood vessel is called a hematoma. The pooled blood can exert pressure on the brain.
• Hemorrhage – A hemorrhage is excessive or uncontrolled bleeding on or inside the brain. It can cause severe damage due to reduced blood and/or oxygen flow or pressure caused by blood buildup in the skull.
• Penetrating brain injury – Caused by a piece of skull or a foreign object piercing the brain tissue, penetrating brain injuries can result from gunshot wounds or when debris from an accident causes an open head injury.

Compensation Available After Suffering a TBI in a NY Motorcycle Accident

You could pursue compensation for financial and personal losses for a TBI caused by a motorcycle accident. Traumatic brain injury compensation may include money for:

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses
• Lost wages
• Costs of long-term health and personal care or support services for permanent disabilities
• Loss of earning capacity and employment benefits if the TBI results in a permanent disability or impairment that prevents you from working
• Lost enjoyment and quality of life
• Reduced life expectancy
• Physical pain and emotional anguish or distress

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Talk to an Experienced Long Island Attorney Today

If you or a loved one sustained a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident, you deserve financial compensation for what you have endured. Contact Finz & Finz, P.C. today for a free no-obligation consultation with a hard-hitting Long Island personal injury lawyer.