What is A Major Cause of Death in Motorcycle Accidents

Florida is dubbed as one of the most dangerous states for motorcyclists. This is in part of the ability to ride year round in warmer weather and that many motorcyclists do not wear helmets.

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, 8,043 motorcycle crashes occurred in the state during the previous year. Almost 7,000 of those crashes involved injuries and/or deaths.

In this article, we will tackle the question, What is a major cause of death in motorcycle accidents, and what can you do when someone you know dies a wrongful death because of this.

Head Injuries As The Main Cause of Death In Motorcycle Accidents

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 749 more lives could have been saved in 2017 if only these motorcyclists had worn helmets. That is because the major cause of death in motorcycle accidents is a head injury.

Many head injuries caused by force inflicted on the head of a motorcycle rider involved in a crash can lead to bleeding around the brain. This condition has a high mortality rate, and EMTs cannot treat this on the scene.

There are seven types of head injuries that motorcyclists involved in an accident may experience. Here is a list:

Skull Fractures

A skull fracture is any break on the cranial bone. This condition can be mild or severe, but it only has one primary cause: an impact or a blow to the head that is strong enough to cause cranial bone breakage. Severe breaks can result in complications, such as internal bleeding, brain damage, infection, seizures, leaking of cerebrospinal fluid, and even death. It is estimated that 33% of people with severe skull fractures do not survive.

Subdural Hemorrhage

Subdural hemorrhage or hematoma is a type of bleeding that takes place outside the brain as a result of a head injury. The blood often leaks from a torn vessel to a space below the dura mater, a leather-like membrane that wraps and protects your brain. This pooling blood creates pressure on the surface of your brain and leads to several serious problems if not treated right away, such as paralysis and death. People experiencing subdural hematoma have a mortality rate of 64%.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid hemorrhage is another type of bleeding, but this one occurs in the space surrounding the brain. It happens when a weak area in a blood vessel bursts or leaks, and the blood piles up around the brain, increasing the pressure inside the skull. Studies show that there is a 12% chance that it will lead to sudden death. 25% of the patients suffering from this condition die after 24 hours with or without medical care.

Cerebral Contusion or Laceration 

A cerebral contusion is a bruise on the cranial tissues that are often caused by a strong blow to the head. On the other hand, a cerebral laceration is a tear brought about by a foreign object or bone fragment from a skull fracture. Motor vehicle crashes are the common cause of these two conditions. When not immediately treated, they can often lead to serious structural brain damage and even death.

Cerebral Edema 

Cerebral edema occurs when fluid amasses around the braid because of a head injury. People suffering from this condition will experience intracranial pressure, which can restrict blood supply to the brain. If edema occurs, it can cause severe complications, such as swelling, brain cell damage, and death. This condition, however, has a mortality rate of  5%, which is lower than the other ones.

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

When blood is supplied to deeper areas within our brain and there is a rupture inside, it can lead to intracerebral hemorrhage or hematoma. This condition is a type of bleeding that occurs inside the brain. It can lead to seizures, paralysis, stroke, and death. Immediate surgery is needed to treat this condition, and usually, people who are involved in a motorcycle accident often don’t survive unless they can reach the hospital quickly.

Concussions

A concussion may not be as fatal as the other types of head injury, but it is the most commonly experienced injury by motorcycle riders. Severe concussions may result in coma or even death. Moreover, concussions can not only happen to the head but also to the chest and abdomen. It can cause internal bleeding to these body parts, leading to death without immediate medical treatment.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

A motorcycle crash can be fatal 80% of the time. There are many lives lost because of this particular accident, and they could have been prevented if we had taken safety measures seriously. So, if you don’t want to be a part of  this year’s motorcycle accident statistics, here are some ways that you can make motorcycle riding safer:

1. Always wear a helmet that has been certified by the Florida Department of Transportation. This practice should not only be observed by the driver, but also by the passenger.
2. Avoid riding during unfavorable conditions, such as storms and flooding. If it is unavoidable, remember to drive slowly and carefully.
3. Be cautious when changing lanes. Always utilize your side mirrors to see if another vehicle is right behind you.
4. Never drive when you are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
5. Protect yourself by getting insured.

Consult Warner & Warner

Suppose you live in Florida and have been recently involved in a motorcycle accident or know someone who died a wrongful death because of it. In that case, you must immediately consult a personal injury lawyer. Warner & Warner has trustworthy lawyers who specialize in motorcycle accidents. We are here to help you all the way so you can get the justice that you deserve.

Please don’t hesitate to call us at 321-341-6829 or email us at info@warnerandwarner.com. We offer free legal advice in Orlando, Casselberry, Apopka, Maitland, Altamonte Springs, Sanford, Lake Mary, Winter Park, Maitland, Oviedo, and other Central Florida communities.