What Happens to Your Brain in a Motorcycle Crash

Posted in Motorcycle accidents on June 21, 2021

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating for those involved. Unfortunately, motorcyclists face a higher risk of sustaining head and traumatic brain injuries as a result of these incidents. The reality is that, even when a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet, they face a much higher risk of serious trauma to all parts of their body, including their head. Here, we want to discuss what happens to a person’s brain when a motorcycle accident occurs. We also want to discuss the difference between a motorcycle crash when someone is wearing a helmet versus when they are not wearing helmets.

Brain Injuries are Often Severe

There can be no doubting that motorcyclists face increased risks when they are on the roadway. There is simply no way for a motorcyclist to have the same level of safety that those inside traditional passenger vehicles have. The severity of these incidents is compounded by the fact that motorcyclists typically sustained two injury-causing impacts when a collision occurs – on impact with the vehicle and another impact with the ground. Both of these impacts can potentially lead to significant traumatic brain injuries.

A traumatic brain injury is a disruption of the brain’s function caused by a violent or sudden blow to the head or body. In a motorcycle crash, this can occur as a result of a motorcyclist’s head coming into contact with the vehicle or with the ground after the initial collision occurs. These injuries can also occur simply due to the rapid back and forth movement of a motorcyclist’s head and neck.

Brain injuries can range in severity. The most minor type of brain injury that a motorcyclist could sustain is a concussion, and most concussion victims are able to make a full recovery within a few weeks.

However, more severe brain injuries in Nashville could lead to long-lasting consequences for a motorcyclist. A severe brain injury can lead to immediate loss of consciousness and brain swelling. If a motorcycle accident victim is able to receive immediate medical care, surgeons and doctors can sometimes counteract the effects of brain injuries, but this is not always the case.

The brain contains several lobes, with each lobe being responsible for certain bodily functions. If there is any permanent damage to any of the lobes of the brain, it is important to understand that the brain has a limited ability to make a recovery. This often means that motorcycle accident victims sustain significant lifelong disabilities. If you were injured due to negligence by another driver, speaking with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Nashville for a free consultation about your case.

  • The frontal lobe controls functions such as the ability to speak, emotions, behavioral impulses, judgment, planning, and personality.
  • The temporal lobe is responsible for memory, understanding spoken language, organization, and sequencing.
  • The occipital lobe is responsible for our vision.
  • The parietal lobe involves senses such as touch, depth perception, and the ability to identify shapes, sizes, and colors.
  • The cerebellum is responsible for controlling balanced movement and fine motor skill activity.
  • The brainstem controls all of the involuntary functions of our bodies, including our heart rate, breathing, consciousness, and arousal.

Tennessee Motorcycle Helmet Requirements

Not every state in the US has adopted a universal helmet law. However, Tennessee was one of the first states to do so. Since 1967, the state of Tennessee has required that all motorcyclists wear DOT-approved helmets when they are on the roadway.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motorcycle helmets saved more than 1,800 lives during a recent reporting year across the country. However, the CDC says that, had all motorcyclists been wearing helmets during that reporting year, 800 or more additional lives could have been saved. The CDC says that motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of death by 37% and the risk of a serious head injury by 69%.