Traumatic Brain Injuries a Serious Concern for St. Louis Motorcyclists
Motorcyclist traumatic brain injury (TBI) includes a wide range of possible damage to the brain. These brain injuries can take a long time to heal and can cause serious or even permanent impairments, depending on which part of the brain is injured and how severe the damage is. According to a study by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traumatic brain injuries pose a special threat to motorcyclists, especially when they do not wear helmets.
The NHTSA study found that, while 15 percent of motorcyclists studied were admitted to the hospital with a TBI if they were wearing a helmet during the crash, that number jumped to 21 percent for bikers who were not wearing helmets. Regardless of helmet use, motorcyclists with TBIs paid, on average, 13 times more in hospital bills, or an average of $31,979 ($2,461 for non-TBI sufferers).
Motorcycle accident victims with TBIs were also more likely to lose their lives as a result of the accident. Although TBI sufferers accounted for only 17 of all bikers admitted to hospitals due to their injuries, they made up 54 percent of riders who did not survive the crash that injured them.
Traumatic brain injury should never be taken lightly. Even a mild TBI can cause long-term difficulties with thinking, memory, concentration, and coordination. A serious TBI can cause permanent disabilities or even death. If you or someone you love has been injured in any way in a motorcycle accident, the experienced St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers at Page Law can help. To learn more about your legal rights and options after a crash, call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.
