Head Injuries Sustained In A Motorcycle Accident
Approximately six hundred motorbikers are killed every year on UK roads, and a further 7000 sustain serious injuries. The unfortunate reality of a motorbike accident is that the motorbike rider is usually more grievously injured than the other road user. Statistically a biker is forty-five times more likely to be killed on the road than a car driver. Car drivers are protected by the shell of their vehicle, as well as a seat belt and airbag. No such protection is afforded the motorcycle rider, and resultantly a common type of injury sustained by a motorbike rider is to the head. At Carry on Biking, we represent clients who have been injured in an accident, a large number of which have sustained head injury.
What happens to the head in a motorbike crash?
During an accident, the head moves violently on impact. This can cause the brain to move around, also violently, inside the skull. At the very least, this bruises the brain. The brain can be damaged on impact with the skull and cause the brain matter and blood vessels to squeeze and crush against the inside of the skull.
Less severe head injuries
Within your brain lives your pituitary gland. This pea size gland acts as the hormone control centre for your body. It regulates and sends out all the hormones for your body, including testosterone, growth hormone, and cortisol. If during the violent shaking of the brain during an accident, your pituitary gland is damaged, it will permanently effect the production of hormones in your body. This could mean you no longer produce enough cortisol to stop your body going into shock if you become unwell or are involved in another accident of any kind. If this happens, you would need to take hydrocortisone, a chemically derived alternative to your natural cortisol.
Close to your pituitary gland is your thyroid, which if damaged by bruising, can also cause lifelong effects. An underactive thyroid can mean a slower metabolism, lethargy, and a likelihood of putting on weight. Again, this would mean a lifelong medication regime.
Severe head injuries
Symptoms of more severe head trauma include but are not limited to:
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of memory, immediate, short or long term
- Headaches
- Sickness
- Loss of balance
- Dizziness
- Change in personality- mood swings
- Insomnia
- Depression and anxiety
- Extreme lethargy
- Lack of co-ordination
Of course, the most severe head trauma can cause brain damage, ranging from mild to severe and even fatal. Dictated by the speed of impact, the brain is unable to withstand an extreme amount of violent movement within the skull. In fatal motorbike accidents, the riders helmet has been unable to withstand and absorb the impact of the collision, and the force is directly applied to the skull.
Suffering an injury like these can be a traumatic and emotional time. As specialists in this field, we want to reduce the amount of extra stress that can come with making a claim for compensation. We are committed to maximising the recovery of compensation to enable to you move forward after your accident.
If you have suffered a head or brain injury as the result of a motorcycle accident, contact Carry on Biking to discuss making a claim for compensation. Here is a report on motorcycle helmet injuries versus not wearing one.
