Even for motorcycle riders who strictly adhere to the “all the gear, all the time” mantra, collisions with other vehicles present a severe risk for broken bones. The impact forces from hitting the road or another object and the crushing forces from being pinned under a motorcycle can easily exceed what the body can sustain, and riders of all ages, abilities and fitness levels are at risk for fractures when they go down.
If you sustained a bone fracture (or multiple bone fractures) in a motorcycle accident involving another vehicle, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation. While the medical costs of these traumatic injuries can be substantial, in many cases it is the other costs that make up the greatest portion of injured riders’ financial recoveries.
Common Bone Fractures from Motorcycle Accidents
The primary symptom of a broken bone is pain. While it is important to see a doctor any time you go down on your motorcycle, if you are experiencing severe pain in your chest, shoulders, back, limbs or extremities, you should be sure to pinpoint your pain for your doctor so that he or she can request an x-ray to determine if you have a fracture. Other symptoms of a bone fracture can include swelling, tenderness, bruising, and loss of strength and mobility.
Some of the most common bone fractures from motorcycle accidents include:
- Bones in the arms, wrists and fingers (including the humerus, scapula, carpus and phalanges)
- Bones in the legs, ankles and wrists (including the femur, patella, tibia and fibula)
- Clavicle (collar bone)
- Ribs and sternum
- Spinal vertebrae
Pain, Disfigurement and Other Long-Term Consequences of Bone Fractures
When someone else is to blame for your injuries from a crash, you are entitled to seek full financial compensation for all of your accident-related losses. While your medical bills may be your most-immediate concern, it is important not to settle with the insurance companies until you have a complete understanding of your present and future losses. For example, in addition to coverage for your outstanding medical bills, you may also be entitled to compensation for:
- Any permanent physical changes, including disfigurement, deformity and surgical scars
- Constant or persistent pain
- Emotional trauma
- Future medical bills and prescription costs
- The inability to enjoy time with your spouse, children and friends
- The inability to engage in your old hobbies (including riding your motorcycle) or perform chores at home
- Your inability to work as a result of your fracture (either temporarily or permanently)
There are a couple of different methods for calculating non-financial losses from a motorcycle accident, and proving your claim to compensation will generally require experienced legal representation. To make sure your injuries impact your life as little as possible, it is important that you discuss your case with an attorney as soon as possible.
Speak with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Destin, FL
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Northwest Florida, the attorneys at Powell, Powell & Powell, P.A. can help you seek just compensation. For a free, no-obligation consultation about your rights, please call (850) 682-2757 or contact us online today.