Brain Injuries and Motorcycle Accidents: The Costs are Surprisingly High

When a person suffers a severe head injury, the risk of brain damage becomes a serious concern for medical professionals, the person’s family and the victim themselves. While these injuries can occur a number of different ways, one is being involved in a motorcycle accident. The fact is, brain injuries that arise from motorcycle accidents take a costly toll when it comes to the financial costs and health of a victim.

Shocking Stats about Brain Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

According to information from the CDC (Center for Disease Control), motorcycle accidents kill thousands of people every year. Also, the economic costs related to deaths and injuries from motorcycle accidents reach into the billions of dollars each year. Regarding brain injuries, the hospital charges alone were approximately 13 times higher for accident victims who suffered a severe brain injury compared to those who suffered a less severe injury.

The Risk of Brain Injuries

In the CDC report, it also stated that brain injuries were the most common cause of death after a motorcycle accident. While most motorcyclists in Florida know they need to wear helmets while on the road, many still fail to do this. When a rider does wear a helmet, they can reduce the risk of a serious head injury by up to 69 percent compared to riders who decide not to wear a helmet. Additionally, motorcyclists who decide to ride without proper head protection are 40 percent more likely to suffer a fatal head injury than riders who put the helmets on before hitting the open road.

Helmets and Florida Law

In the state of Florida, there is only a partial helmet law that motorcyclists have to abide by. This means that the law does not make it mandatory for riders to put on a helmet while on the road. Any motorcyclist who is over the age of 21 and who has a minimum of $10,000 in insurance to cover any health costs can choose whether or not they want to wear a helmet.

Even though the state law doesn’t mandate helmet use for Florida motorcycle riders, wearing a helmet increases the safety of the rider. The costs and risks associated with a drain injury and potentially death are extremely high – much too high to take a risk and not wear a helmet. Besides wearing a helmet, being aware of their surroundings and taking other accident prevention steps is the best way for riders to avoid suffering a head injury. The fact is, riders, along with everyone else on the road shares a responsibility when it comes to preventing accidents.

Contact a Motorcycle Attorney for Help

If you ever suffer an injury of any type while riding a motorcycle and the accident was not your fault, then you may be able to recover compensation for the injuries and damages you suffered. To know for sure, it is best to contact a motorcycle attorney accident in Florida. Contact the attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez by calling 561-440-8531 for more information.