Motorcyclists commonly suffer severe and fatal injuries in crashes. Blunt force trauma is the cause of many motorcycle accident injuries in Boise. Blunt force trauma occurs when a heavy object strikes the body or when the body collides with a hard surface. Contrast this with penetrating injuries which break the skin and enter the body.
Blunt force impact can cause significant internal damage to organs, bones, and soft tissues, often leading to long-term complications.
What is Blunt Force Trauma?
Blunt force trauma refers to physical injuries sustained when the body experiences a forceful impact. This impact can cause damage to underlying tissues and organs without breaking the skin.
Injuries due to blunt force trauma can range from mild contusions and bruises to severe fractures, organ damage, and traumatic brain injuries. In motorcycle accidents, blunt force trauma often results from collisions with vehicles, contact with the road surface, or being thrown from the motorcycle.
How Blunt Force Trauma Happens in Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to blunt force trauma due to the lack of protective barriers between them and the road.
Common scenarios that lead to blunt force trauma in motorcycle crashes include:
- High-speed collisions with other vehicles
- Ejection from the motorcycle
- Contact with stationary objects such as guardrails or trees
- Impact with the pavement during a slide or skid
Protective gear like helmets and leathers offer some protection but usually cannot cushion the rider from the full crash impact.
Traumatic Head Injuries
Head injuries are some of the most severe forms of blunt force trauma. Even when wearing a helmet, motorcyclists can sustain concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The force of the impact can cause the brain to collide with the inside of the skull, leading to bleeding, swelling, and other effects.
Chest Injuries
Blunt force trauma to the chest can result in broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and cardiac contusions. The impact of hitting the handlebars or being thrown against the pavement can crush the chest cavity, causing severe internal bleeding and damage to the heart and lungs. Chest injuries often require immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.
Abdominal Injuries and Organ Damage
The abdomen is vulnerable to blunt force trauma in motorcycle accidents. When a motorcyclist is thrown from their bike or struck by another vehicle, the internal organs can suffer compression or rupture.
Common injuries include:
- Liver lacerations
- Ruptured spleen
- Kidney damage
- Internal bleeding
Unfortunately, these under-the-skin injuries can be difficult to detect in the immediate aftermath of a crash. Some injuries may not present symptoms until hours or days after the collision. That’s why riders should seek immediate medical attention after an accident, even if they feel fine. Early treatment and diagnosis can help protect an accident victim’s health and put them on the quickest path to recovery.
Serious Consequences from Blunt Force Trauma
Blunt force trauma can lead to serious, long-term consequences, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries that cause memory loss, cognitive impairments, and permanent disabilities
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis or loss of motor function
- Internal bleeding and organ failure
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Chronic pain
Victims may require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care. In many cases, these injuries can result in permanent disability, which can affect every aspect of daily life, including whether an individual can return to work.
The Financial Impact of Blunt Impact Injuries
The damages associated with blunt force trauma injuries can be substantial. Fortunately, Idaho law allows motorcycle accident victims to recover damages for economic and noneconomic losses after a crash.
Economic damages cover financial expenses related to the accident, i.e., those that can be proven with receipts, invoices, bills, and other documentation. Non-economic damages cover personal, non-monetary losses that are more subjective to the rider.
Through a personal injury lawsuit, an injured rider can recover money for:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, surgeries, and ongoing treatment
- Lost wages due to time off work during recovery
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety and PTSD
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of consortium/companionship
The best way to determine the types of compensation you can receive after a motorcycle wreck is to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer. Your motorcycle accident lawyer in Boise can help you identify and calculate your accident-related losses. They can even consult experts in finance, medicine, and other disciplines to help assess your damages.
Contact Our Boise Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today for Help
If you or a loved one has suffered blunt force trauma in a motorcycle accident, you should seek experienced legal representation immediately. At Mountain States Injury Law, our Boise motorcycle accident attorney has extensive experience helping injured riders recover compensation after a crash.
We handle all aspects of your case, including investigating your accident, identifying liable parties, and pursuing maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options.