We love motorcycle riding for the freedom, the thrill of the open road, and its versatility as a hobby and means of getting around. However, it comes with real risk, and it is important to know what to do if you’ve suffered a brain injury from a motorcycle accident well before it happens.
Understandably, you don’t want to be searching for answers while not in your best physical and mental condition. Thus, we’ve put together this quick guide on how to prepare for a tough situation for yourself or a loved one – but hopefully you’ll just be informed and avoid injury altogether.
What to do if you think you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) while riding a motorcycle
After a motorcycle accident, there are many variables to deal with. Damage to vehicles and the rider, insurance, police reports, and more. However, if you are exhibiting any of the symptoms of mild to severe brain trauma, you need to look out for your own well-being before doing anything else.
While stress can affect some areas of cognitive ability and your senses, it is not recommended to guess at a diagnosis or write off symptoms if you are having trouble in those areas. If your thinking, senses, language, or motor skills seem to be affected, it is time to get checked out by a doctor and seek professional help.
What are common brain injuries from motorcycle riding?
Traumatic brain injuries are a real risk, and can occur when a motorcycle rider collides with a car or another object on the road. These injuries can include minor ones like concussions, or more severe and lasting injuries. There are three classifications of TBI:
- Mild: May or may not include loss of consciousness, some confusion after the accident, and mild symptoms such as headaches or post-traumatic effects for up to 24 hours.
- Moderate: Loss of consciousness (usually for more than a few minutes), motor skills can be affected, confusion and disorientation for greater than 24 hours, and some post-traumatic amnesia.
- Severe: Significant loss of consciousness, abnormal structural images in most cases, and post-traumatic symptoms that are lasting and can be potentially life-threatening.
Motorcyclists are far more likely to suffer this kind of injury than passengers of normal cars, and it is important to treat these issues seriously. If you are in a motorcycle accident and have hit your head, do not treat mild symptoms lightly; they can become much more severe if ignored, and the first thing you need to do is see a doctor for a professional assessment as soon as you can.
Best ways to prevent head and brain injuries while riding
Among brain injuries from a motorcycle accident, the most prevalent ones are without a doubt head injuries from riders without a helmet. Though it is not mandatory to ride with a helmet in certain states, it is highly recommended to wear one at all times. In fact, we recommend sticking to All the Gear All the Time (ATGATT), as losing the ability to ride due to reckless practices is a much bigger drag than wearing protective gear consistently.
Most importantly, having a consistent safety routine and riding practices can help you avoid traumatic brain injuries. Here are quick tips to avoiding worst-case outcomes even if you get into an accident:
- Wear a helmet every ride: We cannot stress this enough. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, motorcyclists wearing a helmet are significantly less likely to suffer a TBI in a crash.
- Choose a full-coverage helmet: Not only is it important to wear your helmet every time, but you should also choose one that is Department of Transportation or Snell approved.
- Follow all road laws: While we advocate for adventuring and riding free, the rules of the road are there to protect us all. Follow the speed limit, never drink and drive, and respect other motorists.
Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Without proper diagnosis and treatment, a traumatic brain injury can affect many areas of life, including:
- Loss of motor skills
- Inability to work
- Medical bills
- Mood swings
- Memory Loss
- Seizures
- Vertigo
Each of these negative effects can also include recovery and rehab plans, which can be costly if they are out of pocket. Thus, having proper legal representation after your accident can be key to getting the proper payout for being in a motorcycle accident that causes traumatic brain injury.
Ride stress-free with Law Tigers by your side
We know that riding with peace of mind makes being a biker that much better. While you can’t predict the future, you can prepare yourself for any potential outcomes of an accident by having reputable legal professionals who care about the motorcycle community by your side. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, don’t wait to call Law Tigers.
Our experienced team knows how to get the best results because we’re riders just like you. Sign up for our free rider benefit card today and join our team of motorcycle riders who feel safe each time they get on the road.
