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A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you claim benefits and other compensation for the injuries you suffer in a crash. Motorcyclists may suffer a wide range of injuries in road accidents, some of which can have serious and permanent effects.

In addition to no-fault benefits through the TAC, a motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue common law compensation for serious injuries sustained due to the negligence of another. At Henry Carus + Associates, we know the serious nature of injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents, and we are committed to maximising your benefits and other compensation.

Call Henry Carus + Associates at 03 9001 1318 today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation. Our motorcycle accident lawyers serve clients in Melbourne and throughout VIC.

How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents?

From 2017–2021, the TAC recorded more than 200 deaths among motorcycle riders and passengers in VIC. In 2017 and 2018 alone, a further 1,312 motorcyclists required acute hospitalisation for injuries in accidents.

The majority of motorcycle accidents occur in Metro Melbourne. However, an accident can happen anywhere—in the city or the country. Riders always need to be aware of the potential for a crash, as the consequences are often severe.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

You should seek medical attention immediately if you have been in a motorcycle accident. Riders have little in the way of protection, which can make even low-speed crashes extremely dangerous.

Some of the most common injuries sustained by riders in motorcycle accidents include:

Road Rash

The term ‘road rash’ refers to damage to the skin sustained as a result of friction. Road rash injuries are common in any accident where bare skin comes into contact with pavement, concrete, etc.

In extreme cases (such as a motorcycle accident), road rash treatment is similar to the care required for burn injuries. Large wounds must be closely monitored for signs of infection.

Head Injuries

Helmets are required for anyone riding a motorcycle in Victoria. Unfortunately, even a helmet that meets government safety standards may not be enough to protect a rider’s head in the event of an accident.

Brain injury is a serious concern for motorcyclists involved in accidents. Riders may also suffer injuries to the eyes, face, teeth and jaw.

Neck, Back and Spinal Injuries

Multiple injuries to the neck and back can occur in a motorcycle accident. Common examples include:

Whiplash and other soft tissue injury
Disc herniation
Fractured vertebrae
Nerve damage

Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious outcomes in any motorcycle accident. Damage to the spinal cord can result in chronic pain, loss of mobility and—in the worst-case scenario—paralysis.

Chest and Abdominal Injuries

The chest and abdominal area are both very vulnerable in the event of a motorcycle accident. Riders may sustain broken ribs, damage to internal organs and other serious injuries.

Upper Extremity Injuries

Motorcycle accidents often result in injuries to the upper extremities (i.e., the arms, hands, etc.). Research published by the journal of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology found that fractures of bones in the hands and forearms are most common in motorcycle accidents.

Other types of upper extremity injuries include dislocation of the shoulders, wrists, and elbows; soft tissue damage; and injuries requiring plastic surgery repair.

Lower Extremity Injuries

Whether they are struck by a vehicle or fall from the motorcycle in the course of an accident, riders can sustain a number of injuries to their lower extremities. These include:

Pelvis fractures
Injuries to the hips (such as dislocation and hip bone fractures)
Fractures of the bones in the legs (the femur, tibia and fibula)
Knee injuries (such as a broken kneecap and/or damage to tendons and ligaments)
Ankle injuries
Injuries to the feet and toes

Any injury to the lower extremities can affect mobility. Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, loss of mobility may be short-lived or permanent in some cases.

Mental Injuries

Physical injuries are not the only probable outcome in motorcycle accidents. Riders may also experience psychological injuries due to the traumatic circumstances of the accident, the toll of recovering from physical injury, or a combination of the two.

Mental health services are included in the treatments paid for by the TAC after a transport accident. If you are struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and other psychiatric difficulties following a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to benefits.

Were You Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

Once you have received medical care, you should speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible about lodging a transport accident claim. If the accident involved the driving of a motor vehicle or the operation of a tram or train in Victoria, you are entitled to TAC benefits regardless of who is at fault.

Your lawyer can also determine whether or not you have a claim for common law personal injury damages. This additional compensation covers the loss of past and future earnings as well as pain and suffering in cases where the following conditions are met:

Someone was at fault for the motorcycle accident (e.g., the driver of a motor vehicle, a negligent road authority, etc.).
AND
The injuries from the accident meet the definition of ‘serious injury’ used by the TAC.

The following are considered serious injuries according to the Transport Accident Act 1986 – Sect 93(15):

‘(a) serious long-term impairment or loss of a body function; or
‘(b) permanent serious disfigurement; or
‘(c) severe long-term mental or severe long-term behavioural disturbance or disorder; or
‘(d) loss of a foetus.’

In addition, common law compensation can be sought if an injury or injuries from a road accident result in ‘permanent impairment of 30% or more.’

The TAC will issue you a Serious Injury Certificate if it is satisfied that you have a serious injury. A Serious Injury Certificate is a document stating that your injuries meet one of the definitions above. Your motorcycle accident lawyer can provide you with guidance on obtaining a Serious Injury Certificate and lodging a common law damages claim.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

Motorcycle accidents frequently result in serious injuries. If you were severely hurt on your motorbike, it is in your best interest to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible.

You Deserve More. That is our philosophy at Henry Carus + Associates, and it guides all aspects of our service to clients. We review your medical records, talk to your doctors and manage communications with the TAC. Our goal is to obtain all of the benefits you are entitled to, in addition to the common law compensation you deserve.

If the TAC disputes payment of medical expenses and like services, we offer a unique Medical + Like Service Guarantee. Whether you are a previous client of our firm or you had other representation before, we will negotiate a favourable resolution of the dispute AT NO COST TO YOU.

Contact Henry Carus + Associates today for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.