Tag Archives: head injuries

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

RIDING A MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT A HELMET: WHAT ARE THE RISKS? (GUEST POST)

 By Kelly Kovacic  

Most people need a vehicle to survive their daily lifestyles, but riding a motorcycle actually is a lifestyle.  Many people have heard at least one individual say that wearing a helmet makes someone look less cool, but many states have taken this option out of the equation altogether by requiring motorcycle helmets.

Unfortunately, not all states require riders to wear helmets. For example in Florida, any riders 21 and older, who are covered by medical insurance, are not required to wear a helmet. This often leads to serious injuries, when someone is involved in a motorcycle accident West Palm Beach attorneys understand these Florida laws and know how to help. Only when an individual knows all of the facts related to helmet use, will they understand the risk they’re taking without one.

Types of Injuries Sustained

Being involved in a motorcycle crash can cause numerous injuries; this is true whether a rider has a helmet on or not. Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists. Unfortunately, not wearing a helmet increases the chances of much more serious injuries and the severity of the following:

Head Injuries

Head injuries cause some of the most severe damage a person’s body can experience, and sadly, they’re almost always preventable. Motorcycle helmets are meant to take the brunt of the force when a biker’s head hits the pavement. Studies have shown that simply walking into something solid can cause a skull fracture, so just imagine what hitting the pavement at 55 MPH can do to a human skull without a helmet. Severe head injuries can cause brain damage, coma or death.

Spinal Injuries

Spinal injuries are one of the most feared injuries in the world, and not wearing a helmet when on a motorcycle can increase the risk of experiencing one. Helmets not only protect a biker’s head; they help keep their head stationary. If a person’s head remains stationary during an accident, their chances of not sustaining a serious neck or spinal injury increases. Unfortunately, those who do experience traumatic spinal injuries can face partial paralysis, full on paraplegia or even death. 

Serious Facial Abnormalities

Unfortunately, even riders who don’t suffer serious brain or spinal injuries can have their faces completely destroyed by not wearing a helmet. Most bikers have felt the pain of a little road rash. Unfortunately, a person’s face sliding across the pavement will cause much more damage than a simple case of road rash. Many riders have to get extensive reconstructive surgery after wrecking without a helmet. 

Statistics Related to Non-Helmet Use

Reading off a list of possible injuries usually isn’t enough to convince bikers to wear a helmet. Luckily, the statistics related to helmets and motorcycle wrecks are sometimes enough to sway a rider’s decision. 

Only around twelve percent of national motorcycle deaths occur in states where helmets are mandatory. A Michigan study found that 16.2 percent of helmeted bikers suffered incapacitating injuries after an accident. This number was 24.8 percent for non-helmeted riders. The Michigan study also found that 23 percent of helmeted riders suffered no injuries after a wreck compared to only 17.8 percent of non-helmeted bikers.

Riding around on a motorcycle is one of the most exhilarating and freeing experiences that a person can have. Unfortunately, people who enjoy this freedom without a helmet often pay the ultimate price. Anyone who has been injured or has had a family member injured in a motorcycle wreck needs to contact a personal injury attorney quickly. Medical bills can pile up quickly, and even though some states may not protect their bikers, many attorneys will. 

Kelly Kovacic has many friends that ride motorcycles, and so she stays on top of the latest motorcycle laws. For anyone who has been in a motorcycle accident attorneys Steinger, Iscoe & Greene have many years of experience handling these cases. Insurance companies try to label motorcyclists as reckless drivers, so having an attorney to protect your rights is a wise decision. 

Thank you, Kelly, for this information that will hopefully convince riders to wear helmets at all times.  There are many other parts of protective gear for riders, gloves, leg protection, boots, and even high-visibility safety vests that can be slipped over their jacket, in order to help them be more visible.

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Head Protection

Preventing Winter Head Injuries (Guest Post)

By Sheldon Warden

Winter brings with it a magical feeling for most people. The season is full of holidays that bring family and friends closer together. Unfortunately, this season also brings with it an increased chance of sustaining detrimental head injuries. Most people would obviously realize that icy roads can increase the likelihood of a vehicular accident which could cause a brain injury, but there are many other ways that a person can sustain a brain injury that don’t sound nearly as treacherous as frozen over streets.

Why Winter increases the Risk of Brain Injuries

Just like icy streets, frozen over sidewalks present a danger for those walking across them. Slip and fall accidents are common throughout the year, but once ice has settled on the ground, the occurrence of this type of accident can go through the roof. It’s important to remember, however, that the following activities also greatly increase the risk of a person sustaining a traumatic brain injury during the winter.

  • Ice Skating
  • Sledding
  • Skiing
  • Snowboarding

The aforementioned activities combine slick surfaces with high speeds, and while all of these things are enjoyable, this combination proves disastrous for numerous people every winter.

Preventing Serious Brain Injuries

There’s probably not a person in the world who knew that they were going to sustain a brain injury before taking part in the activity that caused it. Unfortunately, the winter months make this occurrence a constant possibility. Luckily, there are ways that a person can lessen the likelihood that they or someone they love will sustain massive head trauma.

Wear a Helmet when Appropriate

The most obvious safety step for people participating in sledding, snowboarding, hockey and other high risk winter activities is to wear a helmet. Helmets save innumerable lives every year, and it’s simply reckless to not wear one when engaged in an event where accidents are liable to occur.

Always Buckle Up

Another safety step that should be incredibly obvious is to always wear a seatbelt. This should be common sense year-round, but during the winter months, accidents can easily happen even if a person is driving superbly. Our Reading personal injury lawyer in Pennsylvania has handled many winter crash cases and warns that it only takes a fraction of a second to lose control of a vehicle on ice, and failing to be secured properly in your vehicle can easily lead to a serious head injury.

Take Precautions to avoid Slips

Slip and fall accidents account for many serious brain injuries. During the winter, it is important for those in extremely cold areas to apply salt to their driveways, walkways or sidewalks if they have frozen over. Doing this on the sidewalk in front of a person’s house will decrease the chance that they or their neighbors will slip and fall. It also isn’t a bad idea to wear slip resistant shoes or snow boots during this time of the year.

Signs of a Serious Brain Injury

Many people believe that if they have a head injury, they will notice obvious overbearing symptoms that lead them to seek treatment. This, however, is not always the case. There are a few common symptoms of brain injuries that many people may not even consider serious.

  • Unconsciousness, even if for only a few seconds.
  • Seizures.
  • Repeat vomiting.
  • Prolonged confused states.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Headache.
  • Sudden change in sleep patterns.

These symptoms are all hallmarks of serious brain injuries. While it is true that these warning signs can occur due to other reasons, their appearance after a head injury, regardless of how seemingly minor, are a likely telltale sign of a traumatic brain injury.

No one should live on edge during the winter months. It’s obvious that the likelihood of a serious brain injury will go up during this time of the year, but there are ways to avoid these tragedies. Furthermore, a person who recognizes symptoms of a brain injury should seek medical attention immediately. Winter can be a treacherous time, but with the right proactive measures, individuals will likely enjoy this magical time with no brain injury at all.

Shelby Warden is a legal researcher that pays special attention to safety laws that were created to prevent injuries and protect the public. The Law Firm of McMahon, McMahon & Lentz and their Reading personal injury lawyer team in Pennsylvania have helped many people who were injured due to the negligence of another get the compensation they deserve so they could get their lives back on track. Their firm does not receive any fees or expenses until you have received the compensation for your losses.

General Safety Issues, Head Protection

HELMET SAFETY MONTH

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Somewhere in one of our past articles, I noticed that October is  HELMET SAFETY MONTH.  Every month is a good time to have the opportunity to encourage riders or workers of all types to protect those noggins.  If you stop and think about it, head protection is required in many recreational activities, as well as occupations. 

First, the world of sports:

  •         During research, I found that horseback riding, such as equestrian events, carries a higher injury rate than motorcycle riding.  Most head injuries happen when the horse being ridden spooks, bucks, or bolts.  Of the seventy thousand who had to be treated in emergency rooms last year from horseback riding injuries, twelve thousand had head injuries.  Helmets work.  Damage from a head injury can help be prevented by wearing ASTM/SEI approved helmets that are correctly fitted and have the harness firmly applied.
  •          Motorcycle helmets save lives.  I cringe every time I see someone riding a motorcycle down the road, not wearing a helmet.  These helmets differ greatly from the equestrian helmets.  Riders that wear helmets have a 28% better chance of not being injured than those who don’t.  Motorcycle helmets should meet the FMVSS 218 standard to be certified.
  •          ATV helmets should have DOT approved helmets, that are vented, and chin strap fitted properly.
  •          Bicycle riders should understand that their bike helmet is an essential part of their safety gear that should be worn every time they ride, regardless of the distance they plan to go.  Helmets can reduce the risk of severe brain injuries by 88%; however only 15 to 25 per cent of kids 14 and under usually ride a bike helmet.  Bike helmets should be approved by the USCPS. (Safe Kids Kenosha-Racine).
  •          Football helmets are also an essential part of gear for players of that sport.  Newer ones are made with extra padding and provide more safety for athletes than the older types of helmets.  And, thankfully, the rules of the game protect players from receiving head injuries, through penalties for those who purposely aim for the helmet. 

Now, from our outlook on providing safety helmets or hardhats: OSHA requires that construction workers, and all others who run the risk of bumping into things, or having items dropped on their heads, wear hardhats.  If you could see a hardhat that had been hit by something heavy, you wouldn’t mind wearing one at all.  There are many types, including patriotic ones, glo-in-the-dark ones, those that are suitable for persons who work around electricity, western hardhats, and the ever-popular team hardhats.  Workers can support their favorite NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, NCAA and other teams, all the while being compliant with safety regulations of their company.  Hardhats can be customized with company logos, as well.  Work hardhats must meet ANSI standards for compliance.  When you buy hard hats, look for any statements that ensure those you consider are “OSHA-compliant” and/or comply with current ANSI standards of manufacture and protection. Once you are satisfied your choices meet these recommendations, you can pick out the style and color that fits your requirements and preferences.

You certainly don’t want a tree limb to come crashing down on your head, so when you get out the chain saw, wear your safety helmet!  I am sure I haven’t covered all the helmets out there, especially the ones our military wears.  You would never see a soldier go out into the field without wearing all of his/her protective gear, so think of wearing head protection the same way.  Use your head – wear that helmet or hardhat!