A 41-year-old man on a motorcycle was reportedly forced off the highway by a semi-truck on Sept. 4, according to Pima police. The semi-truck was allegedly trying to enter the motorcycle’s lane and may not have seen the motorcycle. As a result, the motorcyclist swerved to the right to avoid being hit, struck a curb in front of a convenience store and crashed. The truck driver drove on, possibly not even realizing he had hit the biker.
The biker, a flight medic by occupation, was airlifted to the University of Arizona Medical Center-University Campus, where his condition was listed as fair the following day. At the time of the accident, he was wearing a helmet and driving within the posted speed limit of 35 mph.
Motorcycle accident victims may sustain serious injuries that require extensive treatment. Common nonfatal motorcycle injuries include damage to the head, neck, leg and foot. If there are bone fractures, these need to be reset, sometimes under a general anesthetic. Occasionally, these injuries require implantation of metal plates and screws in order to restore complete function. Orthopedic procedures also require meticulous monitoring in the immediate postoperative period.
Besides the cost of immediate treatment, motorcycle victims may also be faced with bills for aftercare treatment, including medication, rehabilitation or even trauma counseling. When the injuries are the result of an accident that was caused by another individual’s negligent behavior, the injured party may wish to file a personal injury action to seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages. Such cases fall within the remit of a personal injury lawyer, who may help the plaintiff prepare a suitable claim for damages and, if a pretrial settlement cannot be reached, represent the plaintiff in court.
CDC.gov, “Motorcycle Crash-Related Data,” accessed on Sept. 15, 2014
Source: Eastern Arizona Courier , “Motorcyclist flown to UMC after crash in Pima“, Jon Johnson, September 08, 2014