Riding a motorcycle is often a liberating and inexpensive method of transportation for many St.Catharines Ontario residents. However, motorcyclists are at constant risk on the road, and motorcycle accidents tend to result in more serious injuries for victims. Individuals riding on motorcycles are less protected than those in vehicles, and are often more difficult for drivers to see.
Life-changing injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents can have a significant impact on one’s life from the minute they leave the hospital. The debt from not being able to work, the increasing costs for medical treatment, and the financial burden on those who depend on you may be incredibly stressful and deflect from your recovery.
It does not have to be this way. There is hope for recovery and financial security in your future if you pursue the right legal actions against the driver who has injured or harmed you or your loved one. Our St. Catharines motorcycle accident lawyers can help you change your life with fair and passionate legal representation.
Motorcyclists are often stereotyped as reckless drivers who speed in and out of traffic, dodging cars and putting themselves at risk. However, in reality, most motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of drivers of other vehicles on the road. Many drivers in passenger vehicles neglect to check for motorcyclists and often do not account for these individuals in their lane changes or other actions.
In addition to general negligent driving, here are some of the other common causes of motorcycle accidents:
Individuals riding motorcycles are much smaller and open than those in vehicles are, which can lead to higher risk of significant life-changing injury than cars. Additionally, there is a strong likelihood that the motorcyclist will be thrown from the motorcycle, putting them at risk for being hit by other vehicles that may not have time to stop for the collision.
Motorcycle accidents can result in some of the most devastating and life-altering injuries imaginable. The lack of protection afforded to riders leaves them vulnerable to catastrophic harm, even in seemingly minor collisions. These severe injuries often lead to permanent disabilities, endless medical treatments, and a lifetime of pain and suffering.
The road to recovery can be long, arduous, and emotionally draining for both victims and their families. As experienced St. Catharines motorcycle accident lawyers, we have seen the profound impact these injuries can have on our clients’ lives. In this section, we will discuss some of the most common and devastating injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents:
Amputations
Amputations are among the most devastating injuries that can result from a motorcycle accident. The force of impact can cause limbs to be severed or so severely damaged that surgical amputation is necessary. In motorcycle accidents, lower limb amputations are most common, often resulting from crushing injuries or severe lacerations. These life-altering injuries require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and prosthetic devices. Amputations can profoundly impact every aspect of a person’s life, from their ability to work and engage in daily activities to their mental health and overall quality of life. The road to recovery is long and challenging, requiring significant support and resources.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) are among the most common and devastating consequences of motorcycle accidents. The force of impact can cause riders to strike their heads on the ground, other vehicles, or objects, leading to severe brain damage. TBIs can range from concussions to life-threatening injuries like skull fractures, intracranial hemorrhage, and diffuse axonal injury. These injuries can result in permanent cognitive, physical, and emotional impairments, affecting a person’s ability to work, communicate, and maintain relationships. Victims may require lifelong medical care, rehabilitation, and support, placing an enormous burden on themselves and their families. The impact of a severe TBI can be life-altering and far-reaching.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating consequences of motorcycle accidents, often leading to permanent paralysis and lifelong challenges. Paraplegia, which involves the loss of sensation and movement in the lower body, and quadriplegia, affecting all four limbs, are two common outcomes of severe spinal cord trauma. These injuries not only rob individuals of their mobility and independence but also result in astronomical medical costs over the course of their lives. From extensive rehabilitation and therapy to ongoing medical care, home modifications, and assistive devices, the financial burden can be overwhelming. Moreover, the psychological impact of such life-altering injuries cannot be understated. Depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder are common among spinal cord injury survivors as they grapple with the profound changes to their lives and the challenges of adapting to a new reality. The emotional toll extends to their loved ones, who often become primary caregivers and face their own psychological struggles.
Degloving Injuries
Degloving injuries are among the most horrific and debilitating injuries that can result from motorcycle accidents. These injuries occur when the skin is forcibly separated from the underlying tissue, often exposing bone, muscle, and tendons. Lower limb degloving is more common in motorcycle crashes, particularly affecting the legs and feet. Treatment typically involves extensive surgeries, including debridement to remove damaged tissue, skin grafts, and reconstructive procedures. In severe cases, amputation may be necessary. The healing process is prolonged and painful, often requiring months of rehabilitation. Even with successful treatment, victims may face lifelong complications such as scarring, chronic pain, nerve damage, and mobility issues. The psychological impact can be profound, as victims struggle with the aftermath of the trauma and adapt to permanent disfigurement.
Orthopedic Injuries
Orthopedic injuries from motorcycle accidents can severely impact various parts of the body. Among the worst are pelvic fractures, spinal fractures, and compound fractures of the limbs – and fractures to weight-bearing joints. Pelvic fractures are particularly dangerous due to the potential for internal bleeding and damage to organs. Spinal fractures can lead to severe nerve damage or paralysis, significantly affecting mobility and quality of life.
Compound fractures, where the bone breaks through the skin, are prone to infections and require multiple surgeries to repair. Fractures of the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone) are also critical due to their weight-bearing functions. These injuries often involve a lengthy recovery period and extensive physical therapy.
Fractures to weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees, and ankles, are particularly debilitating due to their essential role in mobility. These injuries often require complex surgical interventions and extensive rehabilitation, with a high risk of long-term complications like arthritis and chronic pain.
The worst prognosis is typically associated with spinal fractures that cause permanent nerve damage or paralysis. Victims may face chronic pain, reduced mobility, and lifelong disability.
When injuries are this severe and life-changing, they can render an individual totally disabled or incapable of functioning the way that they did before the accident. As a result, they may be required to seek ongoing, time-consuming care for the rest of their lives, resulting in increasing debt due to missed work and medical costs on top of regular bills and payments.
As a motorcycle rider in St.Catharines, you are entitled to the same rights to seek compensation as anyone operating a car or other passenger vehicle. This includes financial benefits for pain and suffering, loss of income, medical and specialist costs, treatment costs, and any housekeeping costs you may incur. You may also seek compensation for the cost of fixing your motorcycle.
This also applies if your loved one has been killed in a motorcycle accident. As the victim’s family, you are entitled to seek compensation for costs including loss of companionship and care, funeral costs, and loss of income that your loved one would otherwise have earned or contributed to the household. Additionally, if they suffered before their death, you may seek compensation for their pain and suffering.
Working with our St. Catharines motorcycle accident lawyers means that you are working with a team you can trust to build the strongest case possible. We work with top professionals and experts in a variety of fields to ensure that you have the strongest claim for compensation. This includes medical specialists, vocational experts, therapists, psychotherapists, and many more individuals who will work in your favor in settlement or trial if necessary. In addition to this representation, we will also work alongside you in assisting you with all necessary paperwork, legal proceedings, and documents. It is our goal to ensure you maximize your settlement and receive as much compensation as possible while never being left in the dark during the process.
St.Catharines Motorcycle Accident Laywer Matt Lalande been representing motorcycle accident victims who have experienced life-changing injuries due to another driver’s neglect since 2003. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for those who deserve it and can assist you in getting your life back on track. – and are passionate about helping others obtain the compensation they deserve and will not rest until your settlement is complete.
Call our offices at 905-333-8888 or request a free consultation via online contact form and one of our team members will respond to your inquiry within 24 hours. All consultations are free, with no obligation to retain our services, and we will travel to you if you are too injured to come to us. It is our goal to make your road to recovery as financially stable as possible, so book your consultation now.
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After a motorcycle accident in St. Catharines, seek medical attention, report the accident to the police, and contact a St. Catharines motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your legal options and protect your rights.
I was a dental hygienist that suffers from really bad scoliosis. My insurance company ignored my doc & cut my benefits off & told me I could do “something”. Matt got me CPP Disability and and LTD settlement – I don’t know what I would have done without him.
My daughter was killed by a drunk driver and it forever changed all of our lives. It seemed that for two years time stopped. This was no an easy journey. Matt let me sit in on the discovery of the driver and boy, he never let up. In the end, our grand-daughter was taken care of and we were compensated for our loss – which we then donated to a cause we believed in.
I call Matt my knight in shining armour. After I was struck by a car while cycling and permanently crippled, he fielded all communications with my especially difficult and downright nasty insurance adjuster. Every step of my care was a battle and I did not have the strength to fight alone.
I lost my leg in a terrible motorcycle accident and Matt help me recover compensation I need because I could not work and the cost of prosthetics and rehab are out of this world. I don’t know what I would have done without him.
My brother ended up paralyzed after a car accident and Lalande did SO MUCH to help get things straight from him getting out of the hospital to all his care for life. We are so grateful for Matt & Heather. I don’t know how my family could have done this without them.
