An Overview of Left-Hook Motorcycle Accidents
One of the most common types of accidents motorcyclists you
can end up in is a left-hook accident. This tends to happen when drivers aren't
paying enough attention to the road. Here is an overview of left-hook
motorcycle accidents.
What Is a Left-Hook Accident?
A left-hook accident occurs when a vehicle turns left
without stopping for you, the motorcyclist, in the oncoming lane. This ends
with you either being cut off or hit by the car or truck turning left. If the
vehicle was moving fairly slowly, you might only get a few bumps and bruises.
But if the vehicle was speeding through the turn, you could be injured
significantly.
Potential Injuries
If you're a responsible motorcyclist, you wear as much gear
as possible to protect you from being seriously injured. Sometimes, though,
this is not enough. The level of injuries you can receive in a left-hook
accident varies widely, depending on how fast the vehicle was going and the
force and angle of impact.
Being cut off might cause you to fall and slide across the
pavement. You'll likely get some lacerations (deep cuts or tears in skin) and
large abrasions (scrapes or gashes) that can take weeks or months to heal. If
not taken care of properly, lacerations and abrasions can get infected.
If the impact is violent enough, you could sustain broken or
fractured bones and severe soft tissue damage. This can include shattered
wrists or hips, broken arms or legs, or dislocated shoulders. Injuries like
these require orthopedic reconstruction and several months or more of physical
therapy to reach full recovery.
Left-hook accidents often end with the motorcyclist
colliding with the vehicle and being thrown to the ground in an awkward,
violent impact or series of impacts. This can cause damage to the spinal cord
that can leave you temporarily or permanently paralyzed.
A properly fitted helmet offers significant protection to
your head. You still might sustain a mild to moderate brain injury. If you wear
an ill-fitting helmet or don't wear one at all, you're more likely to suffer a traumatic
brain injury, which can cause mental and physical impairment, memory loss,
coma, or even death.
Along with the physical injuries, being in a left-hook
collision can also cause severe emotional trauma. You might have trouble
sleeping or eating for a while after this type of accident. You may struggle
with activities you enjoyed before, and you might be extremely uncomfortable
getting back on or riding your motorcycle again. You'll probably need many
months, or longer, of counseling and support from friends and family members to
help you recover.
Steps to Take After a Left-Hook Collision Occurs
When a left-hook accident occurs, the first thing you should
do is check for any injuries. Try not to move too much or too quickly, as this
could make injuries worse. If you have severe injuries, the nest course of
action is to stay still and ask someone for help.
If you're able, get yourself and your motorcycle to the side
of the road. Other drivers may have a hard time seeing you or fail to realize
an accident has happened. The last thing that needs to happen is a second
accident. Additionally, take as many pictures as you can or make a video of the
scene. This will help protect your legal rights if there is a trial.
The third step you should take to is call 911 if you're able
to. When the police arrive, officers will make a thorough accident report,
collecting evidence and statements from witnesses and the people involved. The
EMTs can evaluate the severity of injuries sustained by all the people involved
in the accident.
You should get examined by a trained medical professional at
the scene of the accident. You'll want to also schedule an appointment with
your primary care doctor as soon as possible because some injuries can take
time to appear. Make sure you get a concise record of any injuries and
treatment in case you want to seek compensation in court from the person
responsible for the accident.
