Spinal Cord Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident
When a motorcyclist crashes, his or her body can be subjected to significant harm. With little to no injury protection available, a motorcycle rider may sustain life-changing harm in a traffic accident. This includes severe spinal cord injuries.
If someone else’s careless or reckless actions are behind a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, the victim may qualify for financial compensation from the at-fault party. Knowing when to hire an attorney for your motorcycle crash claim can help you get justice.
Signs and Symptoms of a Spine Injury
A spinal cord injury describes any type of harm or damage to one or more elements of the spinal column, including the vertebrae (bones), disks or nerves. Spinal cord injuries are serious and require immediate medical attention, since the spinal cord is responsible for controlling the messaging system between the brain and the body.
Symptoms and effects associated with spine injuries include:
- Pain, especially in the back or neck
- Muscle weakness or spasms
- Numbness or a loss of feeling anywhere in the body
- Tingling sensations
- Inability to move part of the body
- Trouble breathing or respiratory failure
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
It is vital for a motorcycle accident victim to get immediate medical attention for a possible spinal cord injury. Experienced personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles emphasize the importance since failing to get prompt medical treatment could lead to unintentionally exacerbating the injury – turning it from a mild or moderate back injury to a severe injury like permanent paralysis.
Common Types of Spinal Cord Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crash facts published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that per motor vehicle mile traveled in 2022, motorcyclists were 22 times more likely to die in accidents than passenger vehicle occupants. This is because motorcyclists are highly exposed and vulnerable to serious injuries.
The types of spine injuries that could be caused by a motorcycle accident include:
- Broken or fractured vertebrae
- Slipped or herniated disks
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Soft-tissue damage
- Whiplash and other neck strain injuries
- Nerve damage or pinched nerve
- Penetrating injuries
- Severed spine
- Paralysis
The back, neck and spine are sensitive areas of the body that can suffer severe damage in a motorcycle crash. According to spinal cord injury attorneys in Los Angeles, unfortunately victims of spinal injury may have to live with the effects of this type of injury for the rest of his or her life. Complete spinal cord injuries are often irreversible.
When to Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney
A motorcycle accident that results in spinal injuries for the motorcyclist can give him or her the right to pursue financial compensation or damages for this injury from the at-fault party. If the other motor vehicle driver caused the crash through a careless or reckless act, the motorcyclist may be eligible for compensation for a spine injury from the driver’s insurance carrier.
Hiring a motorcycle accident attorney can be invaluable during a spinal cord injury case. An attorney can combat insurance company tactics that may otherwise convince you to accept a settlement that is less than you deserve. It is especially important to consult with an attorney if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a permanent spinal cord injury that will have future foreseeable costs.To discuss your motorcycle accident case in detail and find out how an attorney can help, request a free case review at Rose, Klein & Marias, LLP.