brain injury from motorcycle accidents Tag Archives

Published on: March 21, 2025

New Study Confirms Link Between Brain Injury and Dementia

Persons who have suffered a traumatic brain injury have a much higher risk of developing dementia down the road. A new study not only underscores this fact, but also determines that changes in vascular cells can affect the onset of dementia in persons who have suffered a brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries often occur in car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents and slip and falls.

For decades now, scientists have been aware that suffering a brain injury significantly increases the risk that a person will develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease down the road. However, recent studies have identified the exact molecular mechanism behind the personal injury that can bring about dementia earlier. In this new study, scientists discovered that alterations to the vascular smooth muscle cells lead to an increase in the build-up of proteins called amyloid beta, which are strongly linked to Alzheimer’s disease. What the scientists found even more surprising is that even younger persons who are typically not at risk of dementia suffered a similar increased risk, supported by the vascular muscle cell changes following the brain injury. The researchers concluded that understanding the changes to the vascular cells is crucial to understanding how trauma can impact dementia risks and circumventing or mitigating those risks all together.

Brain injuries can result in a significant number of changes in a person’s mental and physical health. Even a moderate brain injury can result in cognitive challenges, memory problems, difficulties in concentration and attention, impaired motor skills and a number of other challenges that make it difficult for the person to live a normal life. All of these difficulties make it hard for the person to be productive or earn a living. Working even a routine job can become challenging. For example, motor coordination problems can manifest in a large number of brain injury victims, and these can significantly impact the victim’s earning potential if he is working in a manual job, or one that requires dexterity.

Published on: November 8, 2024

Strong Helmet Laws Can Prevent Motorcycle Accident Wrongful Deaths

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Thousands of motorcyclist lives could have been saved in motorcycle accidents over several decades if universal helmet laws had been in place in all U.S. states. Unfortunately, without these laws, many people were killed or suffered brain damage unnecessarily in motorcycle accidents.

A new study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety finds that as many as 11% of all motorcyclist and rider deaths over a period of close to 5 decades could possibly have been prevented if universal motorcycle helmet laws had been place in all states. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study, more than 22,000 motorcyclist lives could have been saved between 1976 and 2022 if all states had universal helmet laws. That means that about 11% of all motorcyclist wrongful deaths during this period of time could have been prevented.

Wearing a helmet can significantly help reduce a person’s chances of being killed in a motorcycle accident, just like seat belts can help save motorist lives in car accidents. In spite of that fact, all states have laws that require motorists and passengers to wear seat belts while driving, but only 17 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring all motorcyclists and riders to wear helmets while riding.

Published on: February 17, 2019

Left-Turn Motorcycle Accidents are Most Deadly

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The ways in which a motorcyclist can be injured while riding on the streets of Atlanta is numerous. But one accident scenario that carries the most serious risk of leaving a motorcyclist with devastating injuries is when a motorcycle crashes into a car making a left turn.

According to estimates, as many as 40 percent of all motorcycle accidents involve a car making a left turn in front of the motorcycle or at an intersection. Many of these situations involve car drivers who incorrectly gauge the distance between their vehicle and the motorcycle. When this happens, it usually results in the motorcycle crashing into the car, often at high speeds. In other cases, the car driver may be distracted and fail to notice the motorcyclist pulling up alongside them.

Often, these accidents occur at intersections when the motorcycle is riding straight and a car driver suddenly makes a left turn in front of him. There are many dangerous intersections located throughout the metro Atlanta area, thereby setting the scene for these types of accidents for countless motorcycle riders. The impact of an accident like this can be devastating, and the motorcyclist may be at risk of sustaining injuries that include brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, major or severe cuts and lacerations, facial injuries and other serious injuries. Such injuries can still occur even if the motorcyclist is wearing all the required and recommended protective gear. Some of these injuries can leave a motorcyclist with possibly long-term damage, reducing his ability to lead a normal, productive life.

Published on: August 30, 2010

Non-Approved Motorcycle Helmets May Not Protect against Injury

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Non-Approved Motorcycle Helmets May Not Protect against Injury

While the state of Georgia has a law requiring all motorcycle riders to wear helmets for their own protection, many motorcyclists in Georgia could be increasing their risk of injury by wearing unsafe, “fancy” helmets that are not approved by the Department of Transportation, nor by any private certifying agency.

The US Department of Transportation certifies hundreds of helmets every year.DOT-Approved helmets have an inner lining that protects the head during impact.They also have strong rivets, protective chin straps and other features that help prevent head and facial injuries during an accident. Unfortunately, too many motorcyclists in Georgia are riding with novelty helmets that look like military helmets, and do not cover the face completely. These helmets do not offer complete facial and head protection during an accident.In fact, wearing a helmet like this may not offer even minimal protection during an accident.

Published on: November 16, 2009

Helmet Usage Can Minimize Brain Injury Risk In Motorcycle Accident Victims

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Helmet Usage can Minimize Brain Injury Risk in Motorcycle Accident Victims

Efforts by law enforcement authorities and transportation authorities in Georgia and nationwide, have helped lower accident fatality rates over the past few years. However, the rates of motorcycle accident fatalities have increased dramatically during the same period.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, as of 2008, motorcycle accident fatalities had actually increased for the 11th year running.