Brain Injuries After Motorcycle Accidents in Missouri & Kansas

Motorcycle Helmets Do Not Prevent All Brain Injuries

In the United States, it is estimated that 80 percent of the reported motorcycle crashes result in bodily injury or fatality for the motorcyclist. A motorcycle does not protect a rider from injuries during a collision. There are no airbags or seat belts, and the motorcycle lacks a frame to protect the rider from the collision.

A rider’s body receives the full force of impact with another vehicle. In many cases, the motorcyclist may be thrown from the motorcycle, causing more injuries when the rider’s head and body strike the pavement or another object.

Wearing a motorcycle helmet is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of a brain injury while riding a motorcycle. Wearing a motorcycle helmet reduces the risk of head injuries by 69 percent. The risk of death from a motorcycle crash decreases by 37 percent when riders wear a motorcycle helmet.

However, even though motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of a head injury during a crash, some riders suffer brain injuries from a motorcycle accident. One of the most common and dangerous motorcycle accident injuries you a rider can sustain is a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

If you or a family member sustained a brain injury after a motorcycle accident in Missouri or Kansas, contact our law firm for a free consultation with a Kansas City brain injury lawyer. Our motorcycle accident attorney has extensive experience handling TBIs, whether it is a concussion or other brain injury claim. Call 816-203-0143 to request your free case evaluation.

Types of Brain Injuries After a Motorcycle Accident in Missouri & Kansas

A traumatic brain injury may result from a closed head injury or penetrating head injury during a motorcycle crash.

A closed head injury is a sharp blow to the head that causes the brain tissue below the blow to be damaged. Additionally, a strong jolt to the head can cause the brain to move within the skull. Each time the brain strikes the skull, it causes damage to the brain tissue.

Penetrating brain injuries occur when something enters the brain through a skull fracture. The brain tissue is damaged at the point of entry.

Examples of brain injuries caused by motorcycle accidents include:

• Hemorrhage (bleeding inside of the brain or skull)
• Contusion (bruised brain tissue)
• Ischemia (insufficient oxygen to the brain)
• Hematoma (blood clot in the brain)
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (injury to the axons in the brain)
• Diffuse Injuries (microscopic changes to the brain)

A brain injury can result in numerous complications. After a brain injury, seizures, blood clots, strokes, and infections may develop. In addition, a person may sustain physical, emotional, and cognitive impairments.

The severity of a brain injury can range from mild to severe traumatic brain injury. A mild TBI sounds as if it is not serious. However, that is far from the truth. Mild TBIs and concussions need to be evaluated by a medical professional. A brain injury can worsen quickly. Furthermore, repeated concussions and mild TBIs can lead to serious and life-threatening complications.

Moderate to severe brain injuries can lead to permanent impairments and life-threatening conditions.

Signs and Symptoms of Brain Injuries After Motorcycle Accidents

The signs and symptoms of a brain injury after a motorcycle accident vary depending on the type of brain injury and the severity of the brain injury. It is best to see a doctor as soon as possible after a motorcycle crash to be evaluated for a brain injury. Medical care is essential whether you were wearing a motorcycle helmet or not. During the collision, you could have sustained a brain injury from a strong jolt to your head.

Signs and symptoms of a brain injury after a motorcycle crash include, but are not limited to:

• Headaches
• Loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Slurred speech, blurred vision, and ringing in the ears
• Dizziness or loss of coordination
• Vomiting and nausea
• Seizures or convulsions
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Mood swings and changes in behavior
• Numbness or weakness in the arms or legs

Doctors evaluate your symptoms and order diagnostic tests to determine the extent of your brain injury. The doctor may order a CT scan or MRI. The treatment for a brain injury after a motorcycle accident depends on the type and severity of the injury.

Many mild TBIs heal with time and rest. However, moderate to severe brain injuries may require medications, surgeries, and rehabilitation therapy to recover.

Motorcycle Brain Injury Damages in Missouri & Kansas

Missouri and Kansas law both allow for the recovery of compensation after motorcycle accident that is caused by another driver’s negligence. The damages you might receive for a brain injury caused by a motorcycle accident depend on the severity of your injury and other factors. Typically, accident victims receive compensation for their:

• Past and future lost wages, benefits, and other forms of income
• Past and future cost of medical care, nursing care, rehabilitative therapies, and personal care
• Pain and suffering caused by mental anguish, physical injuries, and emotional distress
• Permanent disfigurement, impairments, and disability
• Reductions in quality of life and loss of enjoyment of life

As a Kansas City personal injury lawyer focused on helping those who suffer brain injuries, my goal is to help you recover the maximum compensation available under Missouri and Kansas law. Unfortunately, an insurance company does not have the same goal. Their goal is to pay as little as possible for your motorcycle injuries and damages.

 Our personal injury law firm in Kansas City, Missouri will diligently pursue all legal causes of action against the party or parties responsible for your injuries. Our legal team works with you, your physicians, and expert witnesses to document the extent of your damages to calculate the correct value of your injury claim.

Contact Our Kansas City Motorcycle Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation

We are here to help. Please reach out to our office to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with our experienced attorney in Kansas City, Missouri.  Our law firm handles personal injury cases, including motorcycle crashes, throughout Missouri and Kansas.

Call 816-203-0143 or complete our online contact form to get the legal advice you need to protect your right to fair compensation after a motorcycle accident. You may also find more information about motorcycle accidents and personal injury claims in our extensive free online article library.