A Closer Look at Head Injuries & Medical Costs from Motorcycle Crashes

The sudden impact on the head during an Iowa motorcycle accident can create brain injury and can lead to life-long disabilities. This is especially the case with more and more young motorcycle riders.

When the skull's momentum suddenly stops because of a blow to the head in a crash, the brain's momentum may not stop at the same time. If the brain's momentum continues on, it will be pressed up against the skull. This can lead to a traumatic brain injury or severe head injury. A helmet may help to prevent serious head injuries.

Health Day News has recently reported an increase in young motorcycle riders suffering more brain injuries as more riders under the age of 21 are not wearing helmets in the U.S. The study found that young people who didn't wear motorcycle helmets tend to sustain head injuries that created enormous medical costs. Because the state of Iowa does not have a mandatory helmet law in place at this time, many young motorcycle riders do not wear helmets.

The study looked at nationwide data from 2006 and found that one-third of the 5,662 victims of motorcycle crashes were under 21 years old and sustained traumatic head injuries, and 91 young riders died of their injuries. Over 90 percent of the injuries and fatalities were boys, and most were between the ages of 18 and 20.

The study found that head injuries, as opposed to other motorcycle accident injuries, created far longer hospital stays and an increase in medical costs in order to treat the head injury accurately. It indicated that hospital charges for motorcycle-related head injuries were approximately $58 million dollars in 2006. As this study reveals, head injuries produced from motorcycle crashes may create long-term disabilities leading to longer hospital stays and higher medical costs.

In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration believes that $13.2 billion dollars was saved because helmets were worn in motorcycle accidents. Wearing a helmet reduces fatalities and serious injuries and saves medical costs for all involved.

Many authorities believe that the only way to reduce motorcycle fatalities and injuries such as traumatic brain injury is to have a universal helmet law, and studies have shown that a mandatory helmet law would decrease motorcycle crash fatalities and injuries up to 40 percent.

At this point Iowa does not have a mandatory helmet law. Even though it is not the law, it is wise to wear a helmet to prevent injuries and fatalities from occurring. However, if you have been injured by a negligent driver in an Iowa motorcycle crash, even if you weren't wearing a helmet, you may still have a legal case. Contact the law offices of Brady Preston Gronlund today and speak with an experienced Cedar Rapids motorcycle accident attorney. Call us at (319) 866-9277 today for your free case evaluation.