There are so many reasons to own a motorcycle in Florida – the open road, the wind blowing in your face, and the captivating scenery of Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches. These experiences are shared by the more than 1.2 million motorcycles owners who have their motorcycle registered in the state of Florida. Riding a motorcycle brings millions of people joy, but it can also cause serious and even catastrophic consequences when an accident takes place. Since cars, trucks, vans, and big rigs vastly outnumber motorcycles, most motorcycle accidents involve a motorcycle and a vehicle that is several times its size and weight. What often transpires is the motorcycle rider ends up in the hospital or worse, while the driver walks away with minor cuts and bruises or suffering no injuries whatsoever.

Those who survive motorcycle crashes are fortunate. Fatalities occur 28 times more often in motorcycle crashes than in other vehicles. Even the fortunate survivors of motorcycle accidents can face a long road to recovery, and some may never fully heal from their physical and emotional trauma. Life after a motorcycle crash can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating. Still, there can be hope when you team up with a motorcycle injury lawyer to pursue your claim.

What is a “Serious” Motorcycle Accident Injury?

A “serious” accident injury isn’t just a casual term; the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintain guidelines for consistency in reporting injuries and fatalities nationwide. Serious accidents share the following traits:

Unconsciousness;
Paralysis;
Significant burns;
Broken or distorted limbs;
Crush injuries;
Severe cuts;
Skull, chest, and abdominal injuries.

Catastrophic injuries cause even more devastation. The above traits may apply to a catastrophic injury, but what makes an injury “catastrophic” is the fact that the injury causes an impairment and sparks lifestyle changes that impact the victim for life.

Examples of these severe conditions may include:

Traumatic brain injuries that result in neurological damage;
Spinal injuries resulting in partial or complete paralysis;
Internal organ damage;
Blindness;
Multiple fractures;
Any injury that causes a fatality.

While the victim of a broken bone may take six to eight weeks to recover, a person suffering from a serious or catastrophic injury may be in a hospital bed for much longer. Adjusting to life after a serious motorcycle accident may be the biggest challenge a victim will face.

Lifestyle Changes After a Catastrophic Motorcycle Injury

Any biker who survives a motorcycle crash in St. Petersburg can experience trauma, but those with severe and catastrophic injuries have a worse time adjusting to a different lifestyle. Mentally, it is a huge burden to accept that you may never “return to normal.” Frequent doctor visits and reduced employment opportunities can hurt your finances and even self-image. Healing often takes lots of physical, occupational, and psychological therapy, the costs of which can add up and majorly impact your financial state.

Patients who experience a traumatic brain or spinal cord injury must adjust to a completely different way of life. The recovery process and the road to accepting a “new normal,” which might include physical and cognitive limitations you’ve never had before, can take many years. During this time, you might lose your employment, you might need to accept the fact that you can’t ride a motorcycle again, and face many other challenges along the way. You might need to learn how to perform basic functions — such as walking, talking, dressing or grooming yourself — all over again. The potential for long-term pain and suffering is immense, which is why these types of cases are so important to handle properly. Many times, you only have one shot get it right.

Don’t Suffer in Silence. Trust St. Petersburg’s “Top 3 Personal Injury Lawyer” to Resolve Your Case

Catastrophic injuries can turn a person’s life upside down and inside out. These cases are extremely delicate and complex, and require the devoted attention of a compassionate attorney. At Marsalisi Law, our goal is to help you recover from a difficult situation you entered through no fault of your own. At Marsalisi Law is Where Law Gets Personal.

Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi is a staunch advocate of motorcycle injury victims. If you’re hurt and cannot come to his office, he will come to you to discuss your case and gather the facts necessary to prove your claim. If you communicate best in Spanish, Frank speaks fluent Spanish and will be able to explain and update you on the case in a manner most comfortable to you. Frank will stand up for you throughout the entire claims process, and if necessary, he is prepared to take your case to court. For a free consultation, call (727) 800-5052 or complete our contact form.