What Is the Major Cause of Death in Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents can create a lot of danger for riders who end up in one. Serious injuries are not uncommon, and sometimes an accident could even result in a rider’s death. While Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyers can help families in these situations seek restitution, it’s understood that money will never replace what is lost. Motorcycle accidents can cause a rider’s death in a few ways, but some injuries are particularly dangerous.

Causes of Death in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can often result in significant blunt force trauma for riders because of their exposure and the possibility of being thrown from the motorcycle. If this trauma occurs in particularly vulnerable parts of the body, it could lead to death. Some of these injuries include:

• Head Injuries. Given the vital role that the brain plays, the head is one of the most dangerous parts of the body that someone can experience trauma. Traumatic brain injuries can happen fairly regularly in motorcycle accidents and can, in some cases, be fatal. Wearing a helmet can be critical to avoiding some of the impact of the blunt force to the head in an accident.
• Spinal Cord Injuries. In particular, if a rider is thrown from their motorcycle, they run the risk of trauma to their spinal cord. If the wrong part of the spinal cord receives severe damage, it can lead to death.
• Chest Injuries. Impact to the chest could lead to damage to a person’s heart, lungs, or critical blood vessels. Severe injury to any of these body parts could be significant enough to result in death.
• Abdominal injuries. Trauma to the sensitive organs that are within the human abdomen can potentially lead to death.
• Limb injuries. If the damage to a limb is severe enough, it’s possible that it could develop life-threatening complications, such as compartment syndrome.
• Internal Bleeding. Blunt trauma carries the risk of causing internal bleeding, which could cause death if it doesn’t respond to treatment.

Other Potential Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Even if a motorcycle accident doesn’t result in death, there are other injuries that could have significant costs and impact on a rider’s life. Some of these include:

• Road Rash. Skin can get damaged if a rider slides along the road surface at a high speed.
• Soft Tissue Injuries. Trauma to muscles, ligaments, and tendons can lead to injuries and potential tears. These often result in swelling and can be painful.
• Broken bones in limbs, ribs, and elsewhere can result from the impact of the accident.
• Head Injuries. Even if a head injury is not enough to cause death, there is still a possibility of severe damage to the brain, sometimes resulting in permanent issues.
• Spinal Cord Injuries. Spinal cord injuries could result in death in some cases; however, different damage to the spine could instead result in paralysis or other damage to the neurological system.

FAQs

Q: Who Can File a Claim for Wrongful Death?

A: If someone dies as a result of a motorcycle accident, then a wrongful death claim is a means for family members to receive restitution for their loss. Typically, those who will file may be a surviving spouse, the deceased’s children, the deceased’s parents, or a representative of the estate.

Q: What Is Compensated in a Claim for Wrongful Death?

A: The compensation for a wrongful death claim is similar to what is covered by a personal injury claim, with some additions related specifically to the death. This means the economic damages may also cover funeral and burial expenses, in addition to covering the medical bills, lost wages, and property damage related to the accident. The non-economic damages will also cover those psychological and emotional costs that the survivors must bear as a result of the loss of their loved one.

Q: Who Could Be Liable for a Motorcycle Accident?

A: Liability for a motorcycle accident will go to whoever committed an act of negligence that led directly to the accident and the injuries that were suffered as a result. While this may often be the operator of a motor vehicle involved in the accident, there could be other causes of the accident beyond the other vehicle and lead to liability for those responsible for those issues. For instance, some accidents are the result of roads not being properly maintained, inadequate signage, or traffic lights not working properly.

In these situations, it may be the government that is liable. Similarly, it’s possible that an accident may be traced to a malfunctioning or incorrectly installed part, which could make the manufacturer or installer liable. One of the first things your Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer will do is attempt to identify the properly liable party.

Q: What Does a Charlotte Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Do for Their Clients?

A: A Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer could be a vital help to those seeking restitution after an accident. Typically, they will investigate the accident to understand who could be liable and collect evidence that can help with proving their liability. Once they understand who is liable, they can represent their clients in negotiations for a fair settlement. However, if a settlement can’t be reached, they will continue representing their clients’ interests through the litigation process.

Our Experienced Team Can Help Seek Compensation After Your Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents can be incredibly dangerous for riders. Significant injuries can happen, and even death. While money is obviously a secondary concern in these situations, it can still be an important concern for families. The medical bills and lost wages alone can be significant, and the psychological and emotional toll the situation causes can add to the difficulty.

It’s important for those who have been negatively impacted by a motorcycle accident to work with a team like you find at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler. Our Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyers understand how to help our clients seek fair restitution, whether that be through a settlement or taking the claim through litigation. Our team is dedicated to taking every option available to us to help our clients pursue what they’re owed. Contact us today if you’re seeking compensation after a motorcycle accident.