Understanding Back and Neck Injuries in California Motorcycle Accidents

Jimmie Kang Law Firm assists injured motorcyclists. They ride without a lot of protections. Due to this, many suffer traumatic and painful injuries. Back and neck injuries are just one example of that unfortunate fact. We want to discuss some matters involved in crashes and injuries. Remember, though, the facts of your case matter more than the examples. If you hurt your neck or back while riding a motorcycle, contact us now. We can protect your case. We have helped others similarly. We will help you too!

1. How Back and Neck Injuries Occur in Motorcycle Accidents
2. Types of Back and Neck Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
3. Treatment for Back and Neck Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
4. Back and Neck Injury Statistics from Motorcycle Accidents
5. How to Value Your Back and Neck Injury Claims in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
6. Defenses to Back and Neck Injury Claims from Motorcycle Accidents
7. Orange County Motorcycle Accident Lawyers With a Proven Record!

How Back and Neck Injuries Occur in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence on California roadways. They happen much more other types of vehicle crashes. The back and neck are vulnerable during bike accidents The spinal cord is especially vulnerable. Unlike other areas, it does not have much protection such as bones or fat. Plus, there is a lot that can be damaged within the back and neck. This of muscles, tendons, vertebrae, and other body parts. They can all get hurt if your bike wipes out!

Motorcycles crash into other vehicles more than wiping out themselves. Why do they crash? Normally, crashes come from weather, road, or other problems. Bikers dart out without looking. Other drivers don’t see them and run right into them. Plus, night time makes it hard to see them anyways. Thus, motorcycles get hit, pinched, and thrown from their bikes. All of this comes with great injury to the back and neck!

Types of Back and Neck Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

There are infinite ways that you can hurt your back or neck in a motorcycle accident. Some ways are more common than others. Here are some of the most frequent varieties.

• Whiplash. Whiplash is when you strain or sprain your neck. It is more of a collection of symptoms and can mean more than one injury. If you sustain whiplash, ligaments, tendons, joints, roots, muscles, or bones may be affected. Typically, it is caused by a fast start and stop motion. It is evidenced by headaches, pain in the neck, stiffness in the area. Dizziness, tiredness, and other conditions might result too. Symptoms of whiplash might not be apparent for a day or more.
• Herniated Disk. Motorcyclists get problems with the disks between their vertebra. These are labeled herniated disks. It can either tear or stick out of two or more vertebrae. They might cause pain, weakness, and numbness. There may also be no symptoms at all. Thus, some people may not need to do anything at all to correct it. On the other hand, herniated disks can completely handicap you. They can make you incapable of daily tasks and enjoyment. If so, you will need surgery and rehab for a long time.
• Soft Tissue Damage. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and similar body parts are “soft” areas. They are remarkably vulnerable in motorcycle accidents. The soft areas in the back and neck are no exception. They might experience strains, sprains, or bruises. Due to their concealed nature, they might be hard to spot. They should be reviewed carefully by a doctor. However, that does not mean they do not hurt. They can cause great pain. Thus, they should be examined and treated seriously.

You might experience a different kind of neck or back injury. California motorcycle accidents create many harms. These are some of the most common ones though. We have seen a lot representing motorcycle accident victims. To understand the complete nature of your harms, speak with your personal doctors. Then, call us to see what you can recover in California!

Treatment for Back and Neck Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents

As we mentioned in the other section, there are a myriad of kinds of back and neck injuries which may occur in a motorcycle accident. Therefore, there is no definitive answer for what your treatment will look like if you’re involved in a similar event. Plus, you will want to work on a plan of care with your doctors so they can take into consideration your personal health history. Yet, there are some common techniques used to treat frequent back and neck injuries.

For instance, patients with whiplash normally use a collar to immobilize the area and allow for healing. They also might use prescription medications, heat therapy, muscle relaxers, or physical therapy. This should normally relieve all symptoms within a few weeks. If it does not, you should consult with your physician.

Patients with herniated disks normally first employ a series of pain management solutions in order to prevent surgery. These normally include medications, physical therapy, and similar options. If these do not work, doctors might recommend a course of surgery to correct the bulging or torn disk. Symptoms of herniated disks can take weeks or even many months to completely address because of the seriousness of this injury.

With soft tissue injuries in your back or neck, the key is to increase circulation and extension. You can use ice or heat to accomplish this and normally a combination of both is the most effective. The initial swelling should subside within a few days after the motorcycle accident. If the symptoms persist, see a doctor to devise a long-term plan of care.

Back and Neck Injury Statistics from Motorcycle Accidents

• Nearly 4 out of 5 people injure their back/neck as adults.
• 1 million people injure their back/neck every year.
• Pain in the lower back is the most common disability in the US.
• Tens of billions of dollars is spent every year treating back/neck injuries and on rehab.
• Neck accidents are the most common insurance claim companies for these accidents.
• Motorcycle accidents are a leading cause of herniated disks and other back/neck injuries in the US like whiplash.
• Helmets can dramatically lower the risk of serious neck injury.
• Almost 10% of motorcyclists suffer a spinal injury.
• The thoracic spinal region is the most injured spinal part during a motorcycle accident.

How to Value Your Back and Neck Injury Claims in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

A lot of families and accident victims want to know what their claims will be worth in court and, if successful, it should come as no great surprise to you. Basically, you add up all of the economic damages (think costs) that the motorcycle accident created. Here is a list of common economic damages.

• Present and future medical bills.
• Lost wages.
• Property damage.
• Transportation costs
• Court fees.

Then, you see if you also suffered intangibly from the accident. For instance, did you sustain long-term pain and suffering? Did you receive scarring or disfigurement? Did you have a change in life circumstances for the worse? Did you lose self-esteem due to the crash? All of these things are worth something in court. But how much?

Generally, they’re worth at least two to three times whatever your economic damages were but can be worth as much as five to ten times whatever your economic damages were. With neck and back injuries from motorcycle accidents, it is not uncommon to have sizeable non-economic losses so the higher end for this category of compensation may be likely. To figure out exactly what your claims for neck or back pains from a motorcycle crash will be, speak with our knowledgeable group of lawyers.

Defenses to Back and Neck Injury Claims from Motorcycle Accidents

Since back and neck injuries are so costly, especially those arising out of motorcycle accidents, defendants are quick to contest their validity. Generally, they use one of two lines of attack. First, they claim it wasn’t their fault. They might say it was your fault or someone else’s but it definitely wasn’t theirs. Next, they’ll likely contest the amount of damages you claim. Typically, they’ll disagree with your contentions of pain and suffering or the amount of long-term medical care you will require. Defendants in these situations will probably use these lines of attack as well as others in refuting your back and neck injury claims from a motorcycle crash so it’s important to have comebacks ready to dismiss them!