If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury in a motorcycle accident around Santa Fe, Albuquerque, or the surrounding New Mexico area, Hunt Law can help. We understand how difficult it is to focus on your recovery when medical bills are mounting up. You can count on Hunt Law to fight hard to secure the compensation you deserve for your motorcycle accident injuries. Contact our Santa Fe personal injury law firm today to schedule your initial consultation and learn how we can help you.
Motorcycles Are Particularly Dangerous
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 5,000 motorcyclists died in fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2017. Motorcycle fatalities accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities that year, despite motorcycles only making up .6 percent of all motor vehicles in 2017. The fatality rate for motorcyclists was six times higher than the fatality rate for other motor vehicle drivers and passengers that year. Additionally, when motor vehicle accidents happen, motorcyclists are approximately 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die as a result of the crash.
Recovering Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident in New Mexico
The first step in seeking compensation for a motorcycle accident is determining who was at fault. The driver whose negligence or recklessness caused the accident is liable for injuries resulting from the collision. Injured parties also have a legal right to file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver who caused the accident.
Successful personal injury plaintiffs are entitled to compensatory damages for their injuries such as medical expenses lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. New Mexico law does not impose any caps on how much compensation an injured person can recover. When the at-fault driver is not insured or is underinsured, the injured party may need to file an uninsured driver claim with his or her own insurance company.
Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
Injuries caused by motorcycle accidents are often incredibly serious. Due to a lack of exterior protection, any part of a motorcyclist’s body can be seriously injured in an accident. The most dangerous type of motorcycle accident happens when the front of the motorcycle impacts another vehicle or a stationary object. Common injuries from motorcycle accidents include traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, lacerations, and back injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries from New Mexico Motorcycle Accidents
Traumatic brain injuries are the most common injuries suffered by motorcyclists in New Mexico. Motorcyclists have a particularly high risk of suffering a head injury in an accident because of their relative lack of protection. When the force of the collision causes the motorcyclist to fall off of the motorcycle, the motorcyclist’s head often hits the roadway with extreme force. That blunt force trauma can cause bleeding in the brain, brain swelling, and a lack of oxygen flow to the brain. A severe traumatic brain injury can cause death or a lifetime of impairment.
Spinal Cord Injuries from New Mexico Motorcycle Accidents
When the spinal cord becomes damaged in a motorcycle accident, a fractured disc, nerve damage, or debris in the spinal cord can affect motor function. In many cases, the victim of a spinal cord injury’s ability to move, and his or her sensory function will become affected. When the spinal cord becomes severely damaged, quadriplegia can result. A person with quadriplegia cannot move his or her arms, hands, legs, or trunk. Typically, the person’s pelvic organs are also affected. Paraplegia is another type of spinal cord injury associated with motorcycle accidents. Individuals with paraplegia face paralysis from the waist down, and parts of the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs are affected.
External Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents in New Mexico
Leg injuries and bone fractures are prevalent in motorcycle accidents. When a motorcyclist slides or tips over to avoid a collision, his or her legs can sustain road burn or fractures. When a motorcyclist’s leg becomes caught under the motorcycle, the force of the accident and the weight of the motorcycle can cause the leg bones to snap.
Riders often brace their fall with their wrists or arms, resulting in wrist and arm fractures. The treatment for bone fractures depends on the type of fracture. Compound fractures are some of the most severe and often require surgery. In addition to bone fractures, “road rash” or serious skin abrasions frequently result from motorcycle accidents. Speedy medical treatment is necessary to prevent scarring and serious infections from road rash.
Internal Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents
Those who’ve been in motorcycle accidents should seek medical treatment to determine the full extent of their injuries. Internal bleeding and damage to internal organs can happen after blunt-force trauma in an accident. Debris or broken glass from the motorcycle accident can also penetrate the skin and cause internal organ damage. Internal injuries are not always apparent right after a motorcycle accident. If you’ve suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, seeking a thorough medical evaluation is essential.
Contact Our New Mexico Personal Injury Law Firm Today
If you’ve been the victim of a motorcycle accident in New Mexico, contact Hunt Law as soon as possible. We can help you determine your best option for recovering compensation for your injuries and fight for your rights.
Hunt Law represents motorcycle accident victims in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Raton, Roswell, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Las Vegas, and throughout the state of New Mexico.