Motorcycles are popular in and around the Denver area. These vehicles give riders the opportunity to really take in the scenery throughout much of the year in the state of Colorado. However, motorcycle accidents can lead to devastating brain injuries. This is particularly true for riders who do not wear helmets. However, even motorcyclists who do wear helmets can still suffer from brain injuries if the impact is severe enough. Here, we want to discuss the link between motorcycle accidents and brain injuries.
When we examine information available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we can see that a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is usually the result of a violent blow or jolt to the head or body of a victim. These injuries can also occur when an object goes through the brain tissue.
Traumatic brain injuries can occur in a wide variety of ways, including sports incidents, medical errors, vehicle accidents, and more. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are much more likely to sustain brain injuries than other types of motorists because they simply lack the same level of protection.
A study published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that motorcyclists who wear helmets are significantly less likely to suffer facial and head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, when compared to non-helmeted riders when an accident occurs. The reality is that the brain is incredibly susceptible to damage caused by the force of a typical motor vehicle accident. When a motorcyclist does not wear a helmet, they are leaving their head completely unprotected. However, motorcyclists often give varying reasons for not wearing helmets, including:
Study after study has shown that motorcycle accident head injuries are much less severe when the motorcyclist is wearing a helmet.
Motorcycle brain injury victims can suffer from a wide range of symptoms. In some cases, a motorcyclist will be lucky enough to only sustain a relatively minor concussion and be able to make a full recovery within a few weeks. However, that is not always the case. Significant brain damage can interfere with the brain’s ability to send signals to the rest of the body. Severe motorcycle accident brain injuries can result in a range of symptoms, including, but not limited to, the following:
