Motorcycles give riders a sense of freedom, but they offer little protection in a crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are almost 27 times more likely than other drivers to die in a crash, and over 6,200 riders are killed every year in crashes. Right here in our state, the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reports a fatal crash rate well above the national average too. Many survivors are left with life-changing injuries, and some of the worst personal injuries spinal injuries after a motorcycle accident. In Houma and across Terrebonne Parish, our motorcycle accident lawyer sees these tragedies on busy roads like US-90 and LA-24. Sadly, most of these motorcycle crashes are entirely preventable but for the negligent acts of another motorist.
Here at the Patrick Yancey Law Firm, we understand how a single crash can change your life forever. Patrick Yancey is an experienced Houma motorcycle accident lawyer who has spent years fighting for injured riders throughout Louisiana. We know how to investigate a crash, prove who caused it, and pursue the full value of your claim. We also know the tricks that insurance companies use to try to pay as little as possible – and we will fight to protect your rights to compensation under Louisiana law. Call us today to schedule a free and no-obligation consultation about your legal rights and options.
When a car crashes, the driver sits inside a steel frame with airbags, side impact curtains and seat belts. A motorcycle rider has none of that. The NHTSA explains that motorcycles give riders virtually no protection in a crash, so the force of an impact travels straight through the body. The spine often takes the worst of that force.
A rider can be thrown from the bike, pinned beneath it, or slammed onto the pavement. Each of these events can twist, compress, or fracture the spine. When the spinal cord is damaged, the body loses the signals it needs to move and feel below that injury location, and the harm is often permanent. Even riders who wear helmets and follow every traffic law can suffer this kind of damage, because the spine is simply not built to absorb the force of a high-speed collision.
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious, permanent and fatal injuries to rider and passengers. This includes spinal cord injuries which are permanent and debilitating. There are many common causes of motorcycle accidents that could cause spinal cord injuries, including the following:
A spinal cord injury is harm to the bundle of nerves that runs through the spine and links the brain to the rest of the body. When those nerves are damaged, torn or severed, the brain can no longer send or receive messages below the point of damage. This is why a spinal cord injury may cause weakness, numbness, or even total paralysis in the limbs that are governed by nerves under the point of injury and damage.
Doctors describe these injuries by where they happen on the spine and by how much function a rider loses. According to research and medical literature, the location and severity of the damage shape recovery for a victim of a spinal cord injury. This further explains how the level of an injury affects movement and feeling, as well as weakness in the muscles that are below the point of damage.
Common types of spinal injuries after a motorcycle accident in Houma include the following:
Symptoms can appear right away or develop over the hours that follow a crash. Some riders feel intense pain, while others feel nothing below the injury. Either way, fast medical care at a hospital such as Terrebonne General Health System can save a life.
Common symptoms and long-term complications include the following:
As mentioned, doctors sort spinal cord injuries into two groups. A complete injury means a rider loses all movement and feeling below the point of damage. An incomplete injury means some signals still travel past the injured area, so the rider keeps some movement or sensation. Incomplete injuries are now more common than complete ones, and they sometimes allow partial recovery with treatment and rehabilitation. Knowing which type a rider has helps doctors plan care, and it helps a lawyer understand the true cost of the harm when assessing pain and suffering – especially future pain and suffering.
The financial toll of a spinal cord injury can be staggering. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, lifetime care for one person can reach several million dollars for medical expenses and assistance with daily living, depending on the location of the injury, extent, and age of the victim. These figures also leave out lost wages and lost earning power. For families in Houma, these costs can pile up fast and last a lifetime.
Common expenses include the following:
To recover money for a spinal cord injury, you must prove that another party caused the crash. That party might be a careless driver, a product maker, or even a government office that failed to keep a road safe. Louisiana recently moved to a modified comparative fault system. Under this rule, a rider who is found to be 51 percent or more at fault cannot recover anything at all, so proving fault is now more important than ever.
The type of injury can also shape the value of your claim. A complete injury usually brings higher lifetime costs and a larger demand for damages, while an incomplete injury may involve a different mix of care and future needs. Insurance companies know this, and they often try to blame the rider. A strong motorcycle accident lawyer can fight back. Many of these claims overlap with catastrophic injury and car accident cases that we handle every day. In some tragic cases, these crashes are fatal, and families may pursue a wrongful death claim instead.
A spinal cord injury can change everything about your life and your family’s future. You should not have to face the medical bills and lost income on your own, especially when someone else caused the crash. Our legal team is ready to investigate, gather evidence, and hold the at-fault party accountable for spinal injuries after a motorcycle accident in Houma or anywhere else in Louisiana.
At the Patrick Yancey Law Firm, we offer free consultations with no obligation, and we only get paid after we recover compensation for you in a settlement, verdict, or another award. If you or a loved one suffered spinal injuries after a motorcycle accident in Houma or anywhere in Louisiana, call our Houma motorcycle accident lawyer today at (985) 313-9791 or reach us through our contact form available on our website to schedule your free case evaluation. We are happy to discuss your case over the phone, in person, or virtually at your convenience.
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