Motorcycle Safety and Awareness

Motorcycle Safety and Awareness

With the cold months almost behind us, it is time for people to take advantage of the warm weather outside. May is just around the corner, and with it comes Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Most motorcycle accidents occur in the spring and summer months when the weather is better for driving. Last year the OPP said there was a 60% increase in fatalities while travelling where a motorcycle was involved. If you have been in an accident expert personal injury lawyers at Dye and Russell can aid in informing you of your legal rights, how damages are measured, and the best course of action moving forward.

As new motorcyclists join the road it is important to be knowledgeable of road safety and the possible injuries that can happen while on a motorcycle. Here are some tips for driving on the road as safely as possible.

 

Common Motorcyclists Injuries and How to Avoid Them:

Head Injury
This can be the most dangerous while riding a motorcycle, it is imperative to wear a well secured helmet to prevent brain injuries and lower the risk of head trauma or disabilities as the result of an accident.

After an injury it is important to reach out to emergency services as well as qualified lawyers to help you ensure you receive the compensation you deserve while pursuing legal action.

 

Muscle, Bone, Skin, and Nerve Damage

Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injuries. Without a seatbelt there is nothing to help motorcyclists to brace themselves from impact during an accident. Wearing the right safety gear such as thicker pants and jackets, safety pads, and gloves can aid in preventing road rash, muscle injuries, and nerve damage to the body upon impact.

Since motorcycle accidents are common it is important that you seek the right representation when making your case and claiming your earned compensation. The lawyers at Dye and Russell are highly qualified to help you through this process.


Mental Trauma

Being in an accident is a scary experience and can often cause anyone involved to experience shock immediately or after the accident. Mental stress is difficult and overwhelming, but it is important to try and take the right steps after an accident.

Knowing these safety rules of the road and how to properly operate a motorcycle can lower the risk of traumatic accidents.  After an accident has occurred reaching out to a personal injury lawyer like the ones at Dye and Russell can help quickly answer any questions you have.

 

Safety Tips for Drivers and Motorcyclists:

Check the Weather

The roads can still have rough conditions in the warmer summer months due to heavy rain, dust and debris, and high winds which can be difficult to handle while operating a vehicle. Here are some of our helpful tips on how to drive safely during the rainy months. Checking the weather before traveling will allow proper preparations for what to do in climate change.

If you’ve been in an accident, you can reach out to Dye and Russell for a free claim evaluation and answers to any legal questions you may have.


Check for Blind Spots

Motorcycles are smaller than cars and thus harder to see while driving. When trying to change lanes or make turns on the road, thoroughly check your vehicle’s blind spots to lower the risk of collision.

Even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you may still be eligible to claim some compensation and accident benefits. At Dye and Russell guiding clients down the road to recovery is the main goal. Reach out for answers to any questions regarding your case.


Slow Down and Leave Room

Speeding is often one of the main causes of fatalities involving motorcycles. Due to the size and speed of motorcycles they are more sensitive to any changes in the road, so slowing down will allow for more time to react and lower the force of impact of a collision. A common occurrence with motorcycle accidents is rear ending. Making sure to give adequate space between you and any vehicle will make driving safer.

Being the victim in a hit and run can happen, so it is important to immediately contact a personal injury lawyer to get the compensation you deserve.

Remaining knowledgeable of the risks of riding and sharing the road with motorcycles is important for more than only the month of May. Knowing how to drive safely and sharing these tips is a great way to have a safer summer while spreading information for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

 

Have any questions? Reach out to Dye and Russell today.

For more information on Ontario motorcycle laws and safety tips, visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website. If you or a motorcyclist you know of has been involved in an accident, have them contact us at our Ajax (905-427-2000) or Barrie offices (705-726-2146) for their free consultation. Your road to recovery is important to us.

 

 

May 6, 2021 , , ,
Skye OliverMotorcycle Safety and Awareness
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Understanding the Levels of Spinal Cord Injury

Understanding the Levels of Spinal Cord Injury

Accidents that result in a spinal cord injury can be scary stuff. The spine is made up of vertebrae and depending on the location of the injury there can be life changing effects, like losing the ability to walk or use other parts or functions of the body all together. Generally, injuries have a greater severity and dysfunction tends to occur the higher up the injury is on the spinal cord.

The spine is split into 3 levels; the lower back containing lumbar and sacral nerves, the thoracic nerves in the mid-back and the upper back with the upper and lower cervical nerves. These are some of the outcomes that can be expected if a spinal cord injury is sustained.

Lower Back

Lumbar nerves (L1 – L5)

  • Often, insured parties suffer from loss of function in their hips or legs.
  • There is limited or no voluntary control over the use of the bladder or bowel. However, with the use of special equipment this can be managed on their own.
  • Use of a wheelchair or leg braces may be required depending on the strength of their legs.

Sacral nerves (S1 – S5)

  • Like lumbar nerve injuries, there is often some loss of hip or leg movement as well as limited or no voluntary use of the bladder or bowels. Persons can manage this with use of special equipment.
  • There is a likelihood that walking will occur.


Mid Back

Thoracic nerves (T1 – T5)

  • Injured nerves impact muscles in the upper chest, mid-back and abdominal areas.
  • While hand and arm function may be normal, often times the trunk and legs are affected (known as paraplegia).
  • Persons will typically be able to use a manual wheelchair and eventually drive a modified vehicle. Others will be able to stand in a standing frame or walk with leg braces.

Thoracic nerves (T6 – T12)

  • Tends to result in paraplegia with normal use of the upper body.
  • Persons can maintain control and their balance when in the seated position.
  • May experience some productive coughing if the abdominal muscles are intact.
  • As with the thoracic nerve T1 – T5 injuries, persons most likely use manual wheelchairs, learn to drive modified vehicles, stand with a standing frame and some even walk with braces.

Upper Back

High-cervical nerves (C1 – C4)

  • This most severe level of spinal cord injury; results in complete paralysis of the arms, hands, trunk and legs
  • Generally, persons are unable to breathe, cough, or control bowel or bladder movements on their own.
  • Requires assistance with daily living activities (e.g., bathing, eating) and needs 24-hour a day care.
  • Cannot drive motor vehicles on their own however may be able to use a powered wheelchair with special controls.
  • Speech can also be impaired or reduced.

Low-cervical nerves (C5 – C8)

  • Nerves in this group control the arms and hands
  • This level of injury may allow a person to breathe and speak normally on their own.
  • Each of the vertebrae in this level affects different nerves and muscles and depending on the specific vertebrae that is injured, have different outcomes
    • Injury of the C5 vertebrae for example may leave a person with the ability to move their hands and arms and bend their elbows while an injury of the C7 could mean the person’s elbow and finger extension range is impacted.
    • Injuries of the C6 typically cause paralysis of the hands, trunk and legs where as C8 injuries can affect hand movement and the ability to grasp and release objects.

 

No matter the level of spinal cord injury that a person faces, it is life altering. A task that used to be easy, maybe even taken for granted, is now difficult and could require assistance. Sadly, spinal cord injuries affect approximately 85, 000 Canadians with an average increase of 4000 per year.

 

If you have been injured and need legal assistance, call #1000 on your cell phone. We will offer you a FREE claim assessment.

September 29, 2019
Skye OliverUnderstanding the Levels of Spinal Cord Injury
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