Can Wearing a Helmet Prevent a TBI?

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are always serious and often deadly. It’s very important that people take all the precautions that they can to prevent them. Although road accidents are not the only reason why people suffer from TBIs, it’s the most common cause by far. As per the NHTSA, motorcyclists, cyclists, and skaters are at the highest risk of suffering traumatic brain injuries in automotive accidents.

Helmets are seen as the best possible precaution that riders can take to protect themselves against potential TBIs on the road, but are they really that effective? Can wearing a helmet really be enough to prevent traumatic brain injuries? Are all helmets equally protective? Let’s answer those questions and more next.

 

Can Helmets Prevent Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Yes, helmets can indeed prevent traumatic brain injuries because that’s precisely what they are designed and engineered to do. How effective a helmet turns out to be in protecting the wearer’s head will depend on variables such as:

  1. The kind of impact received.
  2. The force of the impact.
  3. The number of impacts, if applicable.
  4. The location(s) of the impact(s).
  5. The type of helmet they were wearing.
  6. The construction, rating, and design of the helmet.
  7. The kind of vehicle(s) involved in the accident.

It must be understood that even the best full-face helmet in the world cannot guarantee full protection against TBIs in every potential scenario, but they will always and invariably lessen the impact. Therefore, adequately certified helmets will always lower your chances of suffering brain trauma while riding.

 

What Kind of Helmets are Most Effective in Preventing TBIs?

Full-face helmets that meet the applicable US road safety codes are most effective in protecting the head against traumatic brain injuries. The helmets protect our entire head from external traumas and cushion the skull against jarring effects. Even in extreme accidents, full face helmets can and regularly do save people from permanent brain damage and death.

Broken chins and jaws are also common injuries along with TBIs because the jutting jawbone is the most vulnerable section of a human head. In fact, shattered jawbones and broken teeth can themselves lead to deadly penetrating TBIs. This happens when bone shards and/or broken teeth get lodged into the brain during the impact(s). The protective chin strap and chin bar you will find built into full face helmets also provide advanced protection against chin and jaw injuries.

What Kind of Helmets are Least Effective in Preventing TBIs?

As far as helmet design is concerned, half helmets commonly worn by cyclists and skaters provide only minimal protection against head trauma. As any bicycle accident injury lawyer will tell you based on their client list, cyclists are highly vulnerable to head trauma because they usually wear half helmets. Nevertheless, they can still provide decent protection against low impact accidents.

On the other hand, a helmet that does not conform to the US standards for road safety will prove to be least effective in preventing TBIs, even in low impact accidents. If a helmet does not have the necessary safety certifications, it means that the design, construction, and materials have not been tested against expected low/high impact situations. A genuine helmet safety standard certification guarantees that its design and construction has indeed been tested in a wide range of potential, low/high impact scenarios. Uncertified helmets must be avoided because they cannot provide the level of protection that helmets are expected to.

 

How to Know If a Helmet Managed to Protect You Against TBI

Wearing the right kind of helmet, being cautious on the road, and obeying traffic rules can drastically reduce your chances of ever receiving a traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, it’s also true that even the safest riding practices cannot completely rule out your chance of getting hit on the road. Sometimes, they happen simply because someone else was reckless on the road.

Helmets will always soften the blow, but that may not always be enough to completely protect the accident victim from suffering brain trauma. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to see a doctor immediately after the accident. Even if a TBI was previously ruled out but you started experiencing typical symptoms later, follow up on that with additional checkups. The symptoms will vary, but there are a few common ones to be wary of such as:

  • Headaches, nausea, and sudden loss of consciousness.
  • Impaired speech, vision, hearing, and balance.
  • Impaired senses which include but are not limited to the sense of smell, touch, and taste.
  • Abnormal brain fog, confusion, and loss of memory.
  • Impaired motor coordination.
  • Depression, anxiety, insomnia, mood swings, and personality changes.

Do not hesitate to consult with a physician as soon as you notice any of the above. Keep an eye on your overall health for at least a few weeks from the day of the accident to detect late symptoms as soon as they appear. Timely medical intervention can save your brain from permanent damage. Also, save all your medical documents as they will be crucial for insurance and compensation claims.

 

What are Your Legal Options if You have TBI?

If you or someone close to you is exhibiting any of the usual symptoms of long-term TBI, know that there are legal options at your disposal. You have the right to claim compensation for the harm caused. Reach out and consult with our top personal injury attorneys free of charge. In fact, we at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys do not charge our clients unless we actually win the case for them.

It’s a sad fact that TBIs in road accidents often lead to death, but it would still be an instance of wrongful death. In such situations, the deceased’s surviving family members could be entitled to even greater compensations for their grievous loss. Consult with our wrongful death and car accident attorneys to know more about the processes involved and the potential of your case.

What to Do Next If You Are a Passenger in a California Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycles are more than just a mode of transportation, for many, they are a way of life. They allow you to experience the open air and be at one with your surroundings in a way that a car just can’t do. And while they do offer many advantages over cars, unfortunately, they have some disadvantages too. The most obvious is the risk they can pose to drivers and their passengers. When you get in an accident while riding a motorcycle, your risk of injury tends to be much higher simply because you don’t have anything to protect you.

Here we’ll take a look at the statistics involving motorcycle crashes, what steps you should take if you are a passenger in a California motorcycle accident, and how a personal injury attorney can help you.

 

The Statistics Paint a Sobering Picture

Getting into an accident isn’t something you want to think about, but here in California and across the country it is a reality.  According to statistics, motorcycle riders have a much higher risk of death in an accident – 28 times more likely to be exact. In the year 2020 alone, there were 82,528 injuries sustained by motorcycle riders.

So while the chance of a potential accident shouldn’t stop you from enjoying your passion, it can help guide you in terms of the precautions you take.

 

The Initial Steps After an Accident Are Important

There is a big misconception that motorcycle accidents happen primarily in bad weather such as rain, but that isn’t always the case. Crashes happen year-round, especially in states that don’t experience snow and wintery conditions such as California. It’s for these reasons that riders and passengers must be aware of the important steps to follow after an accident.

As a passenger on a motorcycle that has been in an accident, your first concern is to receive medical attention. Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, it’s best to get looked at properly. You could have internal injuries that you may not be aware of. Be careful not to move around if you are injured, as you don’t want to make things worse.

Depending on your injuries, if possible, try to take photos of the accident, the surrounding environment/road, and pictures of witness license plates. All of this information can come in handy later.

The police should also be called right away, as this will ensure that an official report is written and filed. This becomes an important document when building a personal injury claim.

 

Once Stable – It’s Time to Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Once your physical well-being has been stabilized, it’s time to contact a motorcycle accident attorney. The reason you want to contact them so soon after the accident is that the details will still be fresh in your mind. To be the best motorcycle accident lawyer for you, they need as much information as possible so they can put together a strong claim.

You will be asked to recount all of the events leading up to the accident, in detail, as even the smallest thing may make a huge difference in your claim. Some of the information your road accident lawyer may ask for include:

  • Medical records
  • Medical bill invoices
  • Police report
  • Photos of the accident scene
  • Photos of your injuries
  • Witness statements
  • Witness contact details
  • Insurance information for all drivers involved

How Much Compensation Can You Receive?

Compensation will be something you and your motorcycle accident lawyer can discuss at length. Because it is meant to cover a wide array of things – medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering – there is no standard amount.

Here in California, there is also no limit on the amount of compensation a claimant can ask for in terms of pain and suffering. CA-based Accident injury lawyers are aware of this fact and will work through your case to figure out a reasonable number to aim for. You can’t pick a number based on how much emotional damage you have suffered.

To figure out pain and suffering, your personal injury accident attorney may use a “multiplier method”. They will add up all the financial losses you have suffered due to the accident, and then they multiply that total by a multiple between one and five. The multiplier is determined based on the severity and extent of your injuries. The worse your injuries are, the higher the multiple is. So while this doesn’t determine how much your emotions are worth, it does factor in how severe the situation is.

The other method commonly used to determine compensation for pain and suffering is the per diem method. This takes a day-by-day approach. An amount of money is determined to reflect one day of recovery, that amount is then applied to each day of the recovery process. To figure out the per diem rate, an average daily wage rate is used.

The problem is that pain and suffering can be difficult to prove. There are no tests that show your pain and suffering, so that means no documents to back up your position. Instead, top personal injury attorneys will look at such things as your grief, emotional stress and agony, diminished quality and enjoyment of life, fear, anxiety, depression, PTSD, physical sensation of pain, and more.

Your personal injury accident attorney will still need to collect things such as medical records and documents, but also to back up pain and suffering they can use testimony from your counselor or therapist, statements from mental health professionals, testimony from close friends and family, a statement from you, and even journal entries. It’s about painting a full picture of what you’re truly going through outside of just the physical injuries.

The other factors involved in compensation are much easier to figure out since you have tangible bills in terms of your medical needs.

 

Call On Us to Help

As you can see, one of the best things you can do for yourself after being injured as a passenger in a motorcycle accident is to contact us at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys. We will take care of all the work and stress so you can focus on healing. We want to fight for you and get you fair compensation.

5 Things to Consider Before Hiring A Motorcycle Accident Attorney

motorcycle accident lawyer

On road motorcycles in the US almost doubled throughout the years with 8.6 million registered in 2021. The states of California and Florida have the largest number of registered motorcycles. The price of petrol may continue to encourage motorists to use motorcycles as a vehicle.

In 2020, there were 5,579 motorcyclists killed and this is 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and an estimated 82,528 motorcyclists were injured. There are these unwanted accidents no matter how careful the driver is. Motorcyclist fatalities occurred almost 28 times more than passenger car occupant fatalities in crashes based per vehicle miles.

When you are a victim or have been involved in this type of accident or a loved one who lost a family member, it is in your own best interest to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. The lawyer for motorcycle accidents will assist and ensure that you will get the best compensation for your injuries, medical expenses and loss of income brought about by this incident.

What are the Five Things to Consider Before Hiring A Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Licensed

This case involves a lot of paperwork and coordination with different parties, so first and foremost your lawyer should be a licensed attorney in the state where you are located. A California lawyer will be able to help you in all the documentation needed to support your case:

  • Checking accident scenes
  • Talking and coordinating with witnesses
  • Checking documents such as police reports and medical diagnosis
  • Checking and reviewing insurance policies

This is why it is imperative that your motorcycle accident lawyer is knowledgeable of the laws in your state.

Track Record and Experience

It is critical that you hire the best motorcycle accident lawyer. Their experience and track record will give you the peace of mind that you need which you deserve after this horrible incident. There are sophisticated issues that may come up and if the case goes to court, you will have the best lawyers and firm to fight for what you deserve.

Case Handling by the Firm

There are cases where settlements are achieved by presenting all the documentation presented. However, there are instances that your case may need further or additional investigation to have a better understanding of the accident or the problems that may arise in the course of this investigation and negotiation. All these will determine the best way to resolve your case. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will guide you through the process and present and set expectations on how to get the best compensation for injuries and losses.

Readiness To Bring Your Case Before A Court Of Law

In case insurance adjusters refuse to provide the claim your attorney has presented, you have to make sure that your rights are filed in the court. There are cases that some lawyers or firms will not be willing to do so and you don’t want this to happen after all the time, effort, mental and emotional stress you have experienced. Your motorcycle injury lawyer should explicitly inform you that they are willing to take this course if they are duty-bound to do so.

Your Gut Feeling That You Are Hiring the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Before you hire anyone, you should have a consultation with a lawyer. During the course of your discussion, your gut feeling will help you determine if they are willing to fight for your best interest. You should be able to determine if you can trust them, if they respect you and if they are transparent about the process. They should also be able to set proper expectations so you could work together and win. Your gut feeling will help you out that you are hiring the best motorcycle accident lawyer and that your best interest is their primordial concern.

Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys are the best personal injury & accident lawyers in the state of California. They have helped motorcycle accident victims and loved ones with claims related to drunk driving, hit and run, failure to yield, distracted driving, improper turning, and failure to check blind spots. They will work and use their expertise and experience to fight for your rights, they walk their talk. Get help, call now and we will start working for what you deserve.

Call us today at 877-557-4221

5 Common Accidents In California

Accidents can and do occur in everyday life. Being a careful driver, wearing reflective clothing while bicycle, or waiting for the green light to cross the street as a pedestrian are all important ways to reduce your accident risk. However, it’s still too easy to endure the effects of a life altering injury.

Anyone who lives in California would probably not be surprised to learn that the most frequent causes of injuries are slip-and-fall accidents, automobile accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents. The most crucial thing to remember is that you must learn about your rights and take proactive measures to protect yourself and your future if you ever find yourself the victim of such an accident.

Truck Accidents

There are many other reasons why truck accidents might happen, including careless truck drivers, poor vehicle maintenance, and the inability of passenger automobiles to maneuver around larger vehicles. Among the most typical accidents kinds you could experience are listed below:
• Jackknife
• Wide turn collisions
• Truck rollovers
• T-bone accidents
• Tire blowout

If a truck accident has injured you, you must retain the services of a qualified attorney who can assist you in obtaining the money you want to cover your medical expenses, property damage, lost earnings, and emotional distress. Likewise, even if everyone is cooperative and you believe your injuries may be minor, you should consider calling the police and going to the hospital immediately.

Car Accidents

In California, there are hundreds of thousands of car collisions annually. Unfortunately, many car accidents are caused by drivers who are careless or reckless. To significantly reduce the danger of collisions, injuries, and fatalities, drivers must comprehend and steer clear of the most prevalent of these behaviors.
• By limiting a driver’s effective reaction time and ability to maintain control of their vehicle, speeding can increase the likelihood of collisions.
• Each year in California, hundreds of car accidents are caused by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• One other accident-causing factor in California is driver distraction. Numerous still-legal distractions, like eating while driving, might increase the likelihood of a car accident.

Motorcycle Accidents

One of the riskiest modes of transportation is a motorcycle. Tragic accidents are more likely to happen to motorcycle riders. Hundreds of motorcycle accidents in California yearly result in injuries or fatalities. Some of the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents in California are the ones listed below:
• Head-On Vehicle Collisions
• Intoxication
• Lane Splitting
• Road Hazards

Speak with motorcycle injury lawyers. Everything will be handled by motorcycle injury lawyers, including gathering proof, speaking with witnesses, communicating with insurance providers, and presenting the case in court.

Train Accident

It is impossible to emphasize railway accidents’ emotional and financial toll on victims and their families. Despite the fatalities and demands for more safety, there will probably be more California train accidents in the coming days. The following list includes some of the most frequent causes:
• Negligent engineering
• Lack of sufficient training
• Equipment malfunction
• Extreme speed
• Inconsistent signals

A train accident lawyer who is well-versed in how California and federal law interact may be necessary for the sufferer. Regardless of your situation, train accident lawyers will vigorously defend your rights and work to get you the money you are due.

Pedestrian Accident

Since pedestrians use the roads, their safety is just as crucial as that of drivers and passengers. However, these mishaps can result in catastrophic injuries or the loss of precious lives. Here are a few of them to keep in mind whenever you set out on foot:
• Intoxicated drivers
• Walking during night-time
• Pedestrians not using the sidewalk
• Drivers making unsafe left turns
• Speeding drivers
• Distracted pedestrians

Get the necessary legal counsel from a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to avoid engaging in a pedestrian accident in California. Do not hesitate to contact Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys if you or a loved one was injured in an accident. Our pedestrian accident lawyers have years of expertise in helping clients obtain the greatest compensation to cover their damages and injuries. Our injury attorneys will ensure that you receive the correct medical care for your injuries, provide outstanding legal counsel, and secure just compensation.

Let our award-winning attorneys at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys help you. Call us at 877-557-4221 today!

What are the Most Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries in Nevada

Motorcycle accidents tend to cause the most serious injuries of all the types of motor vehicle crashes and incidents that occur in Nevada. Motorcyclists have little protection in an impact with cars and other vehicles and are at a much higher risk of being thrown from their bikes in the event of a crash.

Whether you are a motorcyclist yourself or a concerned driver, understanding the most common types of motorcycle crash injuries in Nevada and what causes these accidents to occur can help all road users stay vigilant and make the roads a safer place to be. As a driver or motorcyclist, maintaining awareness of your surroundings and taking steps to drive safely can help to reduce the number of deaths and life-changing accidents that occur on Nevada roads.

 

Motorcycles in Las Vegas

In Las Vegas, motorcycles are a particularly popular way to get around, meaning that bike accidents here are often more common. The fact that motorcycles are small and easier to maneuver means that they are an ideal choice for navigating the dense traffic and often limited parking spaces in the city.

Along with this, Nevada is a popular destination for bikers from all over the country thanks to the stunning Mojave Desert. Bikers from far and wide travel for a scenic ride through the winding Highway 159 path, while cruising the Red Rock Canyon is a must-do for lots of bikers in the US.

Since there is a higher-than-average number of motorcyclists in Nevada, this comes with a major downside of a higher number of serious motorcycle accidents occurring on the roads.

 

The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Nevada

Las Vegas and the surrounding areas in Nevada are the most common places in the state for fatal motorcycle accidents to occur. Around seventy percent of fatal motorcycle accidents occur in the urban areas of the state. Clark County is home to the highest concentration of fatal motorbike incidents in Nevada.

While a motorbike accident can lead to any type of injury, some injuries tend to be more common with this type of accident. These are often caused by being pinned by another vehicle or by being thrown through the air at high speeds in a crash.

 

Traumatic Brain/Head Injury

Traumatic head and brain injuries are common outcomes of motorcycle accidents in Nevada. While wearing a helmet can help to reduce the risk of this type of injury occurring, it does not offer a complete guarantee.

Traumatic head and brain injuries are a form of catastrophic injury as they can seriously impact the cognitive abilities of the injured person. This type of injury is more likely to occur when the motorcyclist’s head is seriously impacted in the crash, or in cases where the skull is pierced by an object.

 

Spinal Cord Injuries

Injuries to the spinal cord are another common injury caused by motorcycle accidents in Nevada. When there is an impact to the head or back in a motorbike accident, or if the spinal cord is pierced by an object in any part, a spinal cord injury is often the result.

 

Organ Damage

Motorcycle riders do not have any safeguards to protect the abdomen during an accident. Because of this, they are often at a higher risk of an internal injury such as organ damage and internal bleeding after being involved in an accident.

 

Broken Bones

Broken and fractured bones are some of the most common types of injuries seen after a motorcycle accident, particularly bones breaking or fracturing in the lower extremities. They are common as they can happen in many different ways. Most commonly, being thrown from a bike or crushed between objects during an accident can lead to bone fractures.

 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

There are lots of potential ways for a motorcycle accident to happen. They are often caused by drivers who do not watch their surroundings as closely as they could. For example, failing to check mirrors when changing lanes and not seeing a motorcyclist in the next lane. Since motorcycles are smaller than cars, they can often be harder to see on the road, which is why drivers should be vigilant at all times.

Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is also a common cause of motorcycle accidents in Nevada. This could include the motorcyclist themselves driving after drinking or taking drugs – or being involved in a car accident with a driver who is. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol when driving is illegal as it can seriously impair your ability to notice your surroundings while having an impact on your ability to make safe decisions on the road.

Distracted driving can also lead to a motorcycle accident. Whether a motorcyclist or a driver is distracted in some way, for example, by using a phone while in charge of the vehicle, this can often only take a split second for an accident to happen. A driver who looks down on their phone while behind the wheel might not notice a motorcyclist in front of them, and an accident may occur.

Finally, speeding is another common cause of motorcycle accidents in Nevada. Driving at high speeds can be dangerous for both car drivers and motorcyclists. Sticking to the speed limit and driving appropriately for the weather and road conditions at the time, even if that means driving well below the speed limit on the road, is advisable to keep both yourself and other road users safe.

 

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you are a motorcyclist and have been involved in an accident on the road that was not your fault, then we are here to help you at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys. Our experienced team of Nevada motorcycle accident lawyers is ready to learn more about your case, hold the responsible driver accountable, and make sure that you are in with the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve for any pain, suffering, and loss of income you have suffered a result. Call us today at 877-557-4221.