Motorcycle Accident Injuries and Medical Treatment

From fractures to traumatic brain injuries, motorcycle crashes often require extensive medical care. Don’t navigate this alone; call Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks at (801) 500-4000 for caring and committed representation.

Riding a motorcycle gives a sense of freedom, but it also comes with risks. If another driver fails to see you and swerves into your path, the result can be a serious crash.

Motorcycle accidents often lead to severe injuries, expensive medical bills, and uncertainty about recovery. You may be in pain, struggling to get the treatment you need, and unsure of how to pay for it. The stress of dealing with insurance companies and legal issues can make the situation even harder.

There is help available.

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, our Orem motorcycle accident lawyers have helped many accident victims in Orem and beyond secure the resources they need to recover. Our firm has a strong record of winning significant settlements in personal injury cases. We are here to guide you through the process so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life after a crash.

Keep reading to learn about the types of injuries you may face and how to get the treatment you need. By understanding common motorcycle accident injuries, the importance of proper medical care, and how to document your injuries, you can take the right steps to protect your health and your legal rights.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accidents can lead to various injuries, many of which are severe due to the lack of protective barriers for riders. The open design of a motorcycle leaves you more exposed than someone in a car or truck. Below are three of the most common injuries:

Road Rash

Road rash happens when a motorcyclist slides across the pavement. It involves the skin scraping against rough asphalt, leading to painful abrasions or even deep wounds.

These injuries can range from mild scrapes to severe cases where multiple layers of skin are lost, sometimes needing skin grafts. Infection becomes a risk if the wound is not cleaned and treated properly. Scarring can be permanent, and the healing process can be both lengthy and uncomfortable.

Fractures

Fractures, or broken bones, are frequent in motorcycle crashes. The most commonly affected areas include the arms, legs, and ribs. Riders might instinctively use their arms to brace for impact, resulting in wrist or forearm breaks.

Collisions where the bike topples over can trap a leg underneath, leading to severe fractures. Multiple broken ribs may occur if the rider hits the handlebars or another solid object. While some fractures heal with casts and physical therapy, complex breaks might require surgery or long-term rehabilitation.

Head Injuries

Head injuries are among the most serious outcomes of any motorcycle accident. Even with a quality helmet, the force of impact can cause traumatic brain injuries or concussions.

A mild concussion might heal with rest, but more severe injuries can lead to lasting cognitive or physical impairments. Memory loss, mood changes, or trouble with concentration might persist for months or even become permanent. Without a helmet, the chances of a life-threatening brain injury increase significantly.

Other potential injuries include spinal cord trauma, road burns from hot engine parts, and internal organ damage from blunt force impact. Because a bike lacks the protective frame and airbags typical of a car, a motorcyclist’s body absorbs much of the force during a crash. This is why even a “minor” accident at relatively low speeds can lead to significant harm.

Importance of Immediate and Ongoing Medical Care

Getting prompt medical care after a motorcycle accident in Orem is important, even if you think you are not badly hurt. Adrenaline and shock can mask pain. Also, some conditions, like internal bleeding or concussion, might not show instant symptoms. Here are reasons why timely and continued treatment is so important:

Early Detection of Injuries

A quick visit to the emergency room or a doctor can reveal injuries you might not notice right away.

A simple bruise could actually be a sign of something more serious, like a hairline fracture or internal organ damage. Blood tests, X-rays, or scans can detect hidden injuries, letting doctors create a treatment plan before the issue worsens.

Preventing Complications

Conditions like road rash or fractures can worsen without proper care. An open wound may become infected, or a fracture might shift, leading to more complex surgeries. Early treatment often helps avoid complications that extend your recovery time or cause lasting health problems.

Better Recovery Outcomes

Consistent follow-up with medical professionals can significantly improve your chances of healing. For example, if you break your leg, you might need physical therapy after the cast is removed.

Therapists use exercises to build strength and flexibility, reducing the risk of permanent stiffness or chronic pain. If you skip therapy sessions or discontinue care too early, you might not regain full use of the injured area.

Accurate Documentation

Every time you see a doctor or therapist, your condition is documented in medical records. These records include diagnoses, treatments provided, recommended follow-up, and any long-term prognosis.

If you decide to seek compensation through an insurance claim or lawsuit, these documents become vital evidence. They show the extent of your injuries, the treatments needed, and how your recovery progressed.

Emotional Support

Major injuries can be emotionally draining. Anxiety, depression, or fear of riding again can arise. However, professional mental health care offers strategies to cope with trauma and rebuild confidence. Ongoing therapy ensures you address both physical and emotional well-being.

Strengthening Your Legal Claim

If another party caused the crash, they or their insurance might try to argue that your injuries are not severe or that you failed to do what was necessary to heal.

Following medical advice consistently makes it harder for them to make such claims. It shows you took your recovery seriously and that you are not inflating the severity of your condition.

Future Health Considerations

Even after you feel better, occasional check-ups can catch slow-developing issues like arthritis in a previously injured joint or mental health challenges that arise later. Being proactive about your health can spare you more suffering down the road.

Documenting Injuries for Legal Claims

When you are hurt in a motorcycle accident, thorough documentation of your injuries can make a huge difference if you pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit. The goal is to prove how serious your condition is and connect it directly to the crash. Below are steps to help document your injuries effectively.

Seek Prompt Medical Evaluation

As mentioned earlier, seeing a doctor right away is key. Every exam, test, and procedure produces medical records that show the timing and severity of your injuries.

Ensure you describe all your symptoms, no matter how small they seem. This gives the doctor a complete picture and prevents gaps that insurance companies might exploit.

Follow-Up Appointments

Make sure you attend all recommended appointments, such as physical therapy or follow-up visits with specialists.

Each visit adds to your file, showing the ongoing nature of your injuries. Skipping visits or ignoring doctor’s advice could signal to insurance adjusters that your injuries are not as severe as you claim.

Detailed Journals

Keeping a personal journal of your symptoms, treatments, and pain levels can be very helpful. Write down the dates you feel specific pains, note if you cannot perform certain daily tasks, and record any emotional effects like anxiety or difficulty sleeping.

This day-to-day log shows how your life is impacted beyond the doctor’s office, painting a more complete picture for a jury or insurance adjuster.

Collect Bills and Receipts

Gather all paperwork related to medical costs, from hospital bills to receipts for prescription medications and even parking fees at clinics. This helps confirm how much you have spent due to the accident. If you require special equipment at home or need to travel for out-of-town treatments, keep evidence of those expenses too.

Photographic Evidence

Photos of visible injuries, like bruises or road rash, can offer strong proof. Take them as soon as possible, then update them regularly to show how they heal or worsen. This can help a jury visualize the extent of your injuries, making it more real than just reading a medical report.

Employer and Wage Records

If the accident causes you to miss work or reduces your ability to do your job, keep track of those lost wages.

Ask your employer to provide a statement on how much work you missed and how it affected your pay. If you are self-employed, you can use past income statements to show how your earnings declined after the accident. This information is crucial when claiming lost income.

Protecting Evidence

Keep all medical records, photos, and financial documents in a safe place. It may also be beneficial to share copies with your Orem motorcycle accident lawyer. If you provide anything to an insurance adjuster, consider keeping a second copy. Safeguarding these records ensures you have the evidence you need at every step of your case.

Legal Coordination

When you have all this documentation, your attorney can organize it into a compelling argument for compensation. Insurers or defense lawyers often look for holes or inconsistencies, so comprehensive documentation helps reduce their ability to dispute your claim. This foundation paves the way for effective negotiation or, if needed, a strong presentation in court.

How Our Firm Assists Injured Clients

At Flickinger Boulton Robson Weeks, we know that motorcycle accidents can leave you with major injuries and deep concerns about how to move forward. Here is how we help motorcycle accident victims in Orem.

Initial Consultation

First, we take the time to learn about your injuries. We want to know which body parts were affected, what treatments you have already received, and what challenges you face daily.

By understanding your situation, we can guide you toward local medical providers who specialize in injuries like yours. This is particularly important if your existing insurance does not cover certain treatments or if you need advanced care.

Coordinating Medical Referrals

Some clients do not have a primary doctor or do not know where to turn for specialized therapy. We connect them with healthcare professionals in the Orem area who understand traumatic injuries from motorcycle crashes.

These may include orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, or mental health counselors. By setting you on the right path, we help ensure you get the care needed to reach your best possible recovery.

Ensuring Documentation

We encourage our clients to keep thorough records of every doctor’s appointment, medication, and therapy session. If you forget to gather certain bills or test results, we can often help retrieve them.

Our firm collects these documents to show insurers or courts the true scope of your condition. This includes noting any assistive devices you might need, such as crutches or a wheelchair. Detailed evidence not only shows your injuries but also the financial and emotional cost.

Dealing with Insurance Adjusters

Insurance companies might try to downplay your condition or argue that certain treatments are unnecessary. We handle these discussions to prevent misunderstandings or lowball offers.

We submit organized evidence of your injuries, medical needs, and future expenses. This makes it harder for insurers to refuse coverage or undervalue your claim.

Negotiating Settlements

Our goal is to obtain a settlement that addresses all your financial and personal losses. This can include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term care costs.

Because we have experience in personal injury law, we know how to counter insurance tactics. If the insurer will not offer a fair amount, we are prepared to fight in court.

Litigating When Necessary

Sometimes, going to trial is the only way to secure just compensation. We have litigators who are experienced in presenting evidence to judges and juries.

Our approach involves explaining your injuries clearly, using medical records and expert testimony to illustrate why you need financial support for future surgeries or therapy. We fight assertively while keeping you informed about each decision.

Personal Support

Beyond paperwork and negotiations, we aim to be a supportive presence. We understand the emotional toll an accident can take. We keep lines of communication open so you can ask questions or talk through concerns. Our priority is to relieve your burden so you can focus on regaining your health and well-being.