Coma Lawyer

Head injuries are some of the most common injuries suffered by victims of motorcycle accidents. Any time there is trauma to the head, the victim runs the risk of going into a coma. Once in a coma state, there is no guarantee that a victim will regain consciousness. If a loved one is in a coma following a motorcycle accident, a coma lawyer may be able to help recover costs for medical care.

Coma Lawyer Assistance

Coma lawyers have extensive medical and legal expertise regarding accidents in which the victim has gone into a coma state. This is helpful when pursuing legal avenues, as coma lawyers understand the extreme costs of providing extended medical care for a victim that is in a coma state. Even in cases where a victim regains consciousness, costly rehabilitation therapy is often necessary for recovery. Coma lawyers also understand the differing severity of comas and can help victim’s family members explain this and the differing costs which are associated to the court.

Cause of Coma

Comas are typically caused by traumatic brain injuries or extended periods of oxygen deprivation. Due to the decreased level of protection offered by motorcycles, these types of injuries can occur any time there is an accident. However, the likelihood of these types of injuries is much greater in motorcycle accidents in which a driver is thrown from the motorcycle or another automobile drives over the motorcyclist. These types of accidents are often caused by other drivers’ negligence or vehicle defects.

States of Unconsciousness

Following a motorcycle accident in which a victim is left unconscious, physicians will try to determine the level of unconsciousness. Victims may be minimally unconscious, in a vegetative state, or in a coma state. All three of these states are often referred to as a coma state, but chances of recovery may vary among the three.

Minimally Conscious

In a minimally conscious state, patients show some level of awareness of surroundings. To be considered minimally conscious, patients must be able to follow simple commands, recognize verbalization, and provide responses to stimuli. MRIs and PET scans may also be used to track the level of brain activity to determine responses to stimuli.

Coma State

In a coma state, patients do not respond to stimuli. EEG tests will show that there is no sleep to wake cycle. The coma state typically lasts 2 weeks before worsening or improving, but this length of time may vary.

Vegetative State

If a patient has entered a vegetative state, there is no evidence of response to stimuli. However, the patient may open eyes and go through sleep to wake cycles. This state often follows the coma state. If a patient stays in a vegetative state for more than three months, the chances of recovery are significantly reduced.

Recovering Compensation

The family members of patients suffer severe emotional trauma when a loved one is in a coma state because of a motorcycle accident. If a motorcycle accident was caused by the negligence or misconduct of another, coma lawyers will help family members to recover compensation for this pain and suffering, as well as tangible costs such as lost wages and medical expenses. While this compensation will not undo the damage that has been done, it may help to prevent the family from suffering financial hardship in addition to emotional pain.

 

 

Sources:

“Glasgow Coma Scale.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 May 2003. Web. 26 June 2014. <http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masscasualties/pdf/glasgow-coma-scale.pdf>

“Motorcycle Crash-Related Data.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 14 June 2012. Web. 26 June 2014. <http://www.cdc.gov/features/dsMotorcycleSafety/>

“Motorcycle Helmet Use and Head and Facial Injuries.” U.S. Department of Transportation, 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 26 June 2014. <http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811208.PDF>