Head Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

As one of the most lenient states when it comes to helmet requirements for motorcycle riders, the potential for a Florida motorcyclist to suffer a head injury when involved in a collision is high. Head injuries in motorcycle accidents may range in severity, yet all of them require, at the very least, medical monitoring, which alone can be pricey. More often, a serious head injury will require follow up doctor visits, rehabilitation, and sometimes coping with a permanent impairment. Miami motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon helps those who have been injured in a crash caused by negligence pursue the proper legal action against the party or parties responsible, so that they may recover compensation they need, and are entitled to, to aid in their recovery. We offer experienced legal representation for clients across South Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties. If you have sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident and are unsure if you have a claim, you can call us or contact us online and set up a free, no obligation consultation to speak with a lawyer about your legal options.

Florida is one of only two states that ties its law regarding helmets to a motorcyclist’s insurance coverage, making it a rider’s choice whether or not to wear a helmet if they are 21 years or older with an insurance policy that contains a minimum of $10,000 in medical benefits. When a motorcyclist does not wear a helmet, the likelihood of suffering a serious head injury is high, and costs associated with these types of injuries can quickly far surpass a $10,000 medical coverage limit.

The most common head injury that results from a motorcycle collision is a concussion, where the force of an impact causes a person’s brain to hit the inside of the skull. Contusions, which are bruises of the brain, may also occur, especially when a rider is ejected from the motorcycle and hits their head on the road or another object. Victims may also suffer a traumatic brain injury (or TBI), one of the most serious head injuries, from which victims are permanently impaired and may experience a lifetime of chronic headaches, cognitive changes, altered personality traits, and memory loss. Even motorcycle accident victims who are wearing helmets can suffer any of these injuries in a severe accident. It is important that those involved in a collision get immediate medical attention so that any injury can be properly diagnosed and treated.

All too often a motorcycle crash is caused by another motorist’s failure to respect a motorcyclist’s right to share the road or lack of awareness of their presence, both of which indicate negligence. Those who have suffered a head injury in a motorcycle collision usually need financial assistance above their insurance coverage to pay for the costs of their treatment and lifestyle adjustment. When negligence is involved in an accident, victims may file a personal injury claim against those responsible. Negligence is present when a party breaches his or her duty of reasonable care to the other, causing an injury, and resulting in damages. If a driver strikes a motorcycle while recklessly trying to make a left turn in front of them without enough distance and time, that action could be seen as a breach of their duty to act as a reasonable and prudent person. When a victim is partially, or even mostly, at fault for their own injuries, he or she can still recover compensation from another negligent party. In Florida, damage awards are offset by each party’s degree of fault. Once liability is shown, victims may be compensated for any past or future medical expenses, lost income and loss of earning capacity.

The aftermath of a devastating motorcycle accident can be overwhelming, especially when a victim is trying to adjust to a traumatic brain injury or other impairment requiring extensive rehabilitative efforts. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon in Miami are dedicated to making sure victims don’t have to worry about their legal rights being violated. As you focus on healing, we focus on ensuring you receive the compensation you are entitled to. If you or a loved one need legal guidance following a head injury caused by a negligent driver, please call 877.499.4878 or contact us online to schedule a free, no obligation consultation today.