Even though North Dakota provides a perfect environment for riding, motorcycle accidents occur far too often. While it’s a thrilling hobby, it’s also a dangerous one that can lead to devastating injuries – or worse. When you’re on a motorcycle, you just don’t have the same level of protection as a driver or passenger in a car or truck. As a result, an accident can lead to horrible consequences.
Many times, this kind of accident occurs not due to the fault of the motorcyclist, but a negligent driver of another vehicle. Unfortunately, many people have a bias against riders. They believe motorcyclists don’t deserve the same sort of sympathy as someone injured in a car accident, because they chose to engage in supposedly risky behavior.
At Sand Law, our attorneys know how to fight back against that bias. We will work passionately on behalf of you or another rider who was hurt due to the negligence of someone else. Learn more by contacting us online or calling 701-401-5903 for a free consultation.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The numbers are scary when it comes to motorcycle accidents. In 2018, there were nearly 80,000 injuries – and nearly 5,000 deaths due to motorcycle crashes in the US. Most of the injuries (42,000) as well as deaths (2,881) occurred in collisions with other moving vehicles. That year, motorcyclists were nearly 30 times more likely to be killed in a crash compared to those in passenger vehicles.
The numbers in North Dakota are also troubling. In 2019, 152 people suffered injuries in motorcycle accidents, and 11 died. Nearly 90 percent of all motorcycle crashes that were reported resulted in either an injury or a fatality.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
As you can well imagine, a rider involved in a motorcycle wreck will be at risk for a wide variety of potentially debilitating injuries. These are just a few of the more common ones.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted a study analyzing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) among motorcyclists. According to the results, out of more than 104,000 riders, 15 percent of those wearing a helmet, and 21 percent who were not wearing a helmet, suffered a TBI. Of the riders who did not live through a motorcycle crash, 54 percent suffered this type of injury.
A TBI can lead to a lifetime of debilitation. It can make it hard to speak, think, write, or perform even the most basic of everyday tasks. TBIs can also cost hundreds of thousands of dollars – or even more – in medical and other expenses.
Spinal Cord Injuries
When a motorcyclist is thrown from a bike during an accident, that can result in a spinal cord injury leading to partial or complete paralysis. In most cases, a spinal cord injury is catastrophic, leading to permanent debilitation.
Internal Injuries
Blunt-force trauma due to a motorcycle crash can often do substantial damage to internal organs. This kind of trauma might not break the skin, but it can result in severe internal bleeding or other issues. In other cases, debris or broken glass can penetrate the skin and also cause internal injuries.
Fractures
A motorcycle will typically tip over when involved in an accident. That can trap a rider’s legs, leading to a fracture. When a rider tries to break their fall, that often results in a fractured arm or wrist.
Facial Injuries
Even though helmet use has dramatically increased among motorcyclists in recent years, facial injuries still occur. These can include eye injuries, facial fractures, broken teeth and others. Many of these injuries can lead to permanent damage.
Road Rash
Even though this injury doesn’t necessarily sound serious, it can be very severe. In some instances, a road rash abrasion can be so bad that it can lead to life-threatening infections. Permanent scarring is also possible.
Lower-Extremity Injuries
In addition to leg fractures, motorcycle accidents can also result in soft-tissue injuries, such as ligament tears that can result in months of painful rehabilitation.
Upper-Extremity Injuries
These types of injuries are very common in motorcycle accidents. They include injuries to the abdomen, face, head, neck and other areas. It is thought they happen more often because many motorcyclists ride larger bikes. These bikes can overturn very easily, resulting in an especially high risk for rib and other thoracic injuries.
How a Motorcycle Accident Injury Will Affect Your Quality of Life
Considering the many different types of injuries that can occur due to a motorcycle accident, it’s easy to see how this type of incident could cause severe quality of life issues. A TBI, for instance, can lead to permanent complications that can require a lifetime of treatment.
What Damages Can You Receive Compensation For?
Since a motorcycle accident can impact quality of life so substantially, it will be very important you hire an attorney who will fight to obtain the most compensation possible on your behalf. Courts award “damages,” or different types of compensation, to victims who suffer harm due to the negligence of another party.
Here’s a quick look at some of the damages you may be able to pursue through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit stemming from a motorcycle accident.
- Economic damages – These are tangible monetary losses, such as physical therapy, medical bills, doctor visits and lost wages.
- Non-economic damages – Non-economic damages are more subjective. They include compensation for pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of consortium and others.
- Punitive damages – These are intended to “punish” the negligent party dissuading them from ever committing that type of negligence again. These damages can be far more significant than either economic or non-economic damages.
Why Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Attorney is a Good Idea
If you want to have the best possible chance of realizing a positive outcome in your case, you’ll need an attorney who has extensive experience in this area of the law. We have a great deal of knowledge when it comes to motorcycle accident cases, and we know how to fight the bias insurance companies, jurists and judges often show toward motorcycle riders.
Learn more about how we will fight for your rights by contacting Sand Law online or calling 701-609-1510.