What Are The Common Internal Injuries as a Result of a Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to internal injuries when collisions occur. Unlike a car, which provides structural protection and safety features designed to distribute the force of impact in a crash, a motorcycle rider has no such protection. As a result, motorcycle collisions can cause serious internal injuries, including internal bleeding, organ damage, collapsed or punctured lungs, aortic aneurysms, and other trauma.

The risk is particularly worrisome for Texas motorcyclists. The most current data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are nearly 27 times more likely to die and nearly five times more likely to be injured in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants. In Texas, an average of two motorcyclists die on state roads each day, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Thousands more suffer serious injuries.

If you or a loved one sustained internal injuries from a motorcycle accident in San Antonio, you may be entitled to compensation under Texas law.  Since 1991, the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover has successfully represented motorcycle accident victims in San Antonio, Bexar County, and southern Texas. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Types of Internal Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Whether your motorcycle crash happened on I-35, Culebra Road, or a neighborhood street, internal trauma can occur even when there are no obvious signs of injury. Here are some of the most common internal injuries that motorcycle accident victims experience.

Organ Damage

The force of a motorcycle crash can bruise, tear, or rupture vital organs, particularly the liver, spleen, or kidneys. Symptoms often develop gradually and can include localized pain, swelling, nausea, weakness, or blood in the urine. A patient’s prognosis depends on the organ involved and the extent of the damage. Minor injuries may heal with monitoring, but severe damage typically requires emergency surgery.

Internal Bleeding

Internal bleeding occurs when damaged blood vessels or organs release blood inside the body, often due to blunt-force trauma. Warning signs include worsening pain, abdominal swelling, dizziness, pale or clammy skin, rapid heartbeat, confusion, and fainting. Significant blood loss can cause shock or death and must be treated promptly.

Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax)

Air can enter the space between the lung and chest wall, preventing the lung from expanding normally and causing it to collapse. The mechanism of pneumothorax is often a forceful blow to the chest, particularly when it also causes broken ribs. Symptoms include sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and, in severe cases, bluish skin. A small pneumothorax may resolve with observation and oxygen, while a larger one may require a chest tube or emergency treatment.

Abdominal Trauma

According to the International Journal of Legal Medicine, common abdominal injuries include liver lacerations, injuries to the spleen or pancreas, and other damage to internal organs that can cause serious internal bleeding. Signs include pain, tenderness, bruising, swelling, nausea, or a rigid abdomen. Recovery may be straightforward for minor bruising, while organ rupture or major bleeding can require surgery and prolonged rehabilitation.

Chest Injuries

Chest injuries can range from fractured ribs and bruised lungs to damage involving the heart, major blood vessels, or other structures that affect breathing and circulation. They often result from direct impact or compression and may cause chest pain, tenderness, difficulty breathing, coughing, or an abnormal heartbeat. The prognosis ranges from full recovery with rest and pain control to life-threatening complications requiring immediate surgery or respiratory support.

Warning Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

One of the most dangerous aspects of internal injuries is that they do not always present symptoms immediately after a crash. Adrenaline can mask symptoms, and some injuries start small and worsen with time. Here are some signs of internal injury after a motorcycle accident to watch out for:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Weakness and fatigue
• Vomiting and nausea
• Shortness of breath or hyperventilation
• Abdominal pain that worsens over time
• Pain radiating up into the left shoulder
• Change in heart rate
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures

If you begin experiencing any symptoms of internal injury after a motorcycle crash, seek immediate medical care.

Protecting Yourself After a Motorcycle Crash

Here are some tips to protect yourself after a motorcycle wreck:

• Continue your medical treatment. The at-fault party’s insurer can use any delays or deviations from your prescribed treatment to argue that you worsened your injuries and don’t deserve full compensation.
• Start gathering evidence. Get a copy of the police report, photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries, medical bills, proof of lost income, and other relevant crash-related documentation.
• Avoid speaking with an insurance company without seeking legal advice. Check your policy to learn whether your insurer has notification deadlines. If you must speak to the insurance company or the other party’s insurer before consulting an attorney, stick to the basic facts. Don’t agree to give a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer before you’ve had a chance to speak with an attorney.
• Consult a Texas motorcycle accident lawyer. Your attorney can review your situation and discuss the options available to you based on the specifics of your case.

How Are Internal Injuries Compensated in Texas?

Texas allows internal injury victims to pursue compensation, or damages, to cover the financial and personal losses sustained as a result of an accident. Economic damages cover losses that have a specific dollar value attached to them, such as:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
• Crutches, wheelchairs, assistive device, and home renovations to accommodate a new disability
• Lost wages or salary, bonuses, commissions, tips, benefits, and promotions
• Lost earning potential if your injuries leave you unable to work or advance in your career as you otherwise would have
• Property damage, including the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle

Non-economic damages cover the more subjective, personal consequences related to the motorcycle accident. Examples include:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Reduced quality of life due to scarring, disfigurement, and/or inability to perform daily tasks or participate in activities you once enjoyed

Exemplary damages, also called punitive damages, may be available when a motorcycle collision results from particularly wrongful conduct, such as drunk driving or other grossly negligent behavior. Exemplary damages are intended to punish the at-fault party and deter similar conduct in the future. To recover exemplary damages, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 41.003(a) requires claimants to prove their case by “clear and convincing evidence,” meaning the evidence must create a firm belief or conviction that the allegations are true.

Why Choose the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover for Your Motorcycle Accident Case?

Since 1991, the Law Offices of Troy A. Brookover has represented motorcycle accident victims in San Antonio, Bexar County, and southern Texas. Troy is Board-Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a credential held by only a small percentage of Texas attorneys.

With millions recovered in a wide range of motor vehicle accident claims, our law firm is prepared to provide strong legal representation focused on pursuing maximum compensation and helping our clients move forward with greater peace of mind. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.