Metier Law Firm Personal Injury Blog

Concussions are sometimes referred to as mild-traumatic brain injuries, but they are still very serious and potentially fatal. In 2004, high school football player Jake Snakenberg had been injured in a game with another school, unaware he had received a concussion. For several days, Jake had a strange tingling sensation in his hands and no other symptoms.
On the day of his next game, Jake assured his family he was fine and ready to play. During the game, Jake took a hit and fell over. He attempted to get back up, but was unable to walk. After falling over a second time, he never woke up again. His mom was watching from the sidelines with an uneasy feeling, waiting and hoping for him to get back up, but he never did.
Jake had died from second-impact syndrome, a potentially fatal complication from receiving a concussion. Second-impact syndrome, as the name implies, is a second brain injury that occurs soon after a first concussion. His mother later told local and national press there were no obvious signs Jake had received a concussion.
If coaches had recognized Jake had suffered a concussion during the first game, it is possible he would still be here today.

What Is The Jake Snakenberg Youth Sports Concussion Act?

After Jake’s death, Colorado lawmakers passed the Jake Snakenberg Youth Sports Concussion Act. The legislation requires coaches to undergo concussion training and to remove players suspected of having concussions.
Other states have passed similar laws to protect high school athletes. Even though second-impact syndrome is rare, concussions may have long-term effects on high school athletes. It is important high school athletes obtain immediate treatment and be allowed time to recover after receiving concussions.
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At the beginning of the year, Polaris shocked the motorcycling world by announcing that it would close its Victory Motorcycles brand. The company reported that Victory wasn’t performing well enough, so it was refocusing its resources on its other motorcycle brand—Indian Motorcycles. Whether this was a good idea or not has yet to be determined, but we do know one thing, it suddenly appears like Indian could use that extra attention.

Your Indian Motorcycle Could Put You in the Hot Seat

Polaris has just recalled around 24,000 Indian motorcycles. The company says that a fuel rail inside the engine can collide with other motorcycle parts, which can cause a fuel leak and potentially start a fire. This defect effects the company’s Chief Classic, Chief Dark Horse, Chief Vintage, Chieftain, Chieftain Dark Horse, Roadmaster, and Springfield models built between April 2013 and July 2016.

However, that’s only the latest problem for Indian and Polaris.
In 2016, Polaris recalled 18,000 of its SlingShot three-wheeled vehicles because of an ignition problem that could cause a fire. A month before that, Polaris had to recall its Ranger ATV line for fire hazard problems, and before that it had to recall its popular RZR line of ATVs. That means Polaris has suffered nothing but setbacks for most of 2016!

In light of these problems, Polaris’ move to close Victory Motorcycle doesn’t seem as out of the blue as previously believed. But could this also be a sign that the motorcycle and ATV maker is in danger of folding? Could such a loss hurt the overall motorcycle industry? Is there anything Polaris can do to right its ship? Log on to Twitter and Facebook to tell us what you think, and keep following the attorneys who ride on this blog for more updates on the motorcycle industry.

TL;DR: Preventing Motorcycle Exhaust Pipe Burns

• An estimated 65% of motorcycle exhaust burns are second-degree, with most injuries occurring when mounting or dismounting the bike and the right leg below the knee being the most common burn location
• Wearing long pants reduces burn risk by 46%—a simple protective measure that significantly decreases the likelihood of serious injury from exhaust contact
• Children account for most motorcycle exhaust burns and 33% of burned children required surgery according to Australian hospital data, making extra caution essential when kids ride as passengers
• Most motorcycle exhaust burns are second or third-degree and typically subside after twenty days—if you feel pain or tingling that's positive, but numbness requires immediate medical attention
• Summer sees the highest frequency of motorcycle exhaust burns—riders should exercise extra caution during warmer months, especially when mounting/dismounting and when picking up fallen bikes to avoid contact with the hot exhaust pipe

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As we mentioned last week, May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. While we mainly discussed motorcycle accidents, there are other ways you can get injured on a motorcycle. One injury that many riders are familiar with is exhaust pipe burn. Some riders even see it as a rite of passage. It might be a bonding experience, but it can also cause serious injuries.
Exhaust burn happens when the rider accidentally makes physical contact with the exhaust pipe. The exhaust pipe is one of the hottest parts of the bike, and contact can result in a severe burn. A study in Greece found that most of the injuries took place when getting on or off the motorcycle, and the most common spot for a burn was on the right leg below the knee. An estimated 65 percent suffered second-degree burns.
Here are a few ways you can prevent motorcycle exhaust pipe burn:

• Wear long pants to reduce the risk of burns by 46 percent
• Use caution when getting on or off the motorcycle
• Avoid contact with the exhaust when picking up a fallen bike
• Use extra caution when a child is riding as a passenger. Children account for most motorcycle exhaust burns, and 33 percent of burned children required surgery, according to an Australian hospital.

Motorcycle exhaust burn treatments vary depending on the severity of the burn. Most motorcycle exhaust burns are second or third degree burns. One study found that burns tended to subside after twenty days. If you can feel pain or tingling, that is a good sign; if the leg is numb, you should seek medical attention immediately.

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Most motorcycle burns happened during the summer, so keep that hot exhaust pipe in mind when you are out for a ride.

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The Metier Law Firm, LLC - Motorcycle Accident Attorneys 

Several Movies About Brain Injuries

Several movies have been made that tell the stories of people who have suffered brain injuries. Each story is different, but many of the same themes are present throughout each movie, namely perseverance against a life-changing injury. We can learn a lot from these films.

My Beautiful Broken Brain

My Beautiful Broken Brain is a documentary detailing the recovery of filmmaker Lotje Sodderland. Lotje suffered a hemorrhagic stroke that left her with sensory perception issues and an inability to communicate. The documentary filmed the process of her recovery.

For those interested in how people recover from brain injuries, this documentary is worth watching on Netflix.

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

This biopic and drama film details the life of French editor Jean-Dominique Bauby after he suffered a stroke. Bauby’s stroke was so damaging, it left him with ‘locked-in syndrome,’ a condition where most people are only able to communicate while blinking.

Despite his injuries, Bauby dictated a book (also called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) by blinking only his left eyelid.

The Lookout

The Lookout is a crime-action drama film starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. In the film, Gordon-Levitt plays a high school teenager who sustained a traumatic brain injury during a car accident.

After surviving the wreck, Gordon-Levitt’s character struggles to readjust to society. While working at a bank, some old ‘friends’ from school try to coax him into a heist. Does he do it? You’ll have to watch the film to find out.

Why Movies About Brain Injuries Are Interesting

All of the characters and people from these films have been placed in extraordinary circumstances due to their injuries.

By watching these movies, we can learn how individuals with brain injuries overcome enormous obstacles. Jean-Dominique Bauby dictated a full-length book by blinking; Lotje Sodderland helped create a documentary despite being unable to communicate. These are inspirational feats of ingenuity that deserve more attention.

The Colorado personal injury attorneys at Metier Law Firm have dedicated their careers to helping victims of negligence with brain injuries and their families.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways

• Motorcycle "blockers" are not legal—riders who block intersections to keep group rides together are technically breaking the law, according to law enforcement officials including Sgt. Daniel Larkin of Loudonville, NY
• Police may occasionally ticket blockers but often don't because the practice creates safer conditions—blocking prevents cars from entering the middle of motorcycle groups, which could cause more dangerous situations
• Motorcycle safety instructors acknowledge the illegal practice serves a safety purpose—"sometimes it's done to be safe, it's not done to be obnoxious," says Lenny Parker who teaches motorcycle safety courses
• The only legal blocker is a police officer—civilian riders performing blocking duties at intersections lack the legal authority to direct or stop traffic regardless of safety intentions
• The practice creates a legal gray area where law enforcement uses discretion—while technically illegal, officers recognize that allowing groups to stay together through intersections often prevents accidents caused by cars cutting through motorcycle formations

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As riders ourselves, the motorcycle attorneys at Metier Law Firm know organizing a motorcycle ride takes a lot of time and effort. You have to coordinate stopping points, try to get a solid group rate at a hotel and do your best to keep the group together as much as possible. Motorcycle riders are a community, and a group ride is the best symbol of that community.

However, some methods used by motorcycle organizers brush up against the law. To keep the group together in business zones, one rider may act as the “blocker”: he or she blocks oncoming traffic at intersections in order to keep the group together. Some motorists have wondered how legal this practice is. According to Sgt. Daniel Larkin of Loudonville, NY, not very. “It is not legal to block intersections to allow riders to stay together,” he told the Albany Times Union in response to a reader question. He said that while police may occasionally ticket a motorcycle blocker for breaking the law, this does not always happen since the blocker’s actions often result in a safer scenario.

“Sometimes it’s safer to block the road so people don’t get into the middle of a group of motorcyclists,” said Lenny Parker, who teaches a motorcycle safety course. He says that even though blocking is illegal, “sometimes it’s done to be safe. It’s not done to be obnoxious.”

The only time a blocker is legal is when a police officer performs the duties.
What do you think? Are blockers are preventing motorcycle accidents, or are they overstepping their bounds as citizens? Tune in Friday when we answer another frequently asked question about motorcycle law.

If you know someone who experienced injuries or death in a motorcycle accident, feel free to contact us at no charge. Whether they need the support of a Seattle motorcycle accident lawyer, the guidance of a motorcycle accident lawyer in Denver, or trusted representation in cities like Portland, Omaha, Cheyenne, Fort Collins, Colorado Springs, or Casper, we’re here to help.

Call us at 866-377-3800 or schedule your free consultation with us online at metierlaw.com. 

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The Metier Law Firm, LLC – Motorcyle accident attorneys

TL;DR: 8 Essential Steps to Take After a Car Accident

• Move to safety if possible and immediately call police regardless of accident severity—police reports provide objective documentation that becomes invaluable for personal injury claims, and officers corroborate information if you work with an injury lawyer
• Create an accurate record at the scene: gather witness contact information and statements, photograph the scene and injuries from multiple angles, collect other driver's information (name, contact, license plate, make/model, insurance), and document time, location, and what happened in your own words
• Never admit responsibility or fault to anyone—even if you think the accident was your fault, your attorney may uncover information about the other driver that completely absolves you, but admissions on record can permanently damage your claim
• Visit a doctor immediately even for seemingly minor injuries—this identifies unseen injuries like internal bleeding, creates medical records documenting damage, and saves all documentation for reimbursement through your personal injury claim or settlement
• Notify your insurance company quickly but cooperate without divulging more than necessary—find out if your coverage includes MedPay, don't admit fault, and tell representatives you'll provide more information after speaking with your personal injury attorney who works on contingency (no fees unless you win)

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Whether you’re driving to work or you’re driving across the state on a roadtrip with your family, a car accident can be one of the most detrimental occurrences. It can derail your plans for the day if you’re lucky; at worst, it can greatly affect your life for years to come.

Here at Metier Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys handle serious cases of personal injury resulting from car accidents. We’ve seen both the initial damage and the long-lasting damage that can occur from a car accident, and we’re committed to helping individuals and families get compensation and peace after the accident.

Our personal injury law firm specializes in a variety of forms of personal injury law, including car crashes. We serve car accident clients throughout Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon, and Washington and we’d be honored to help you in the process of restoring your physical and financial health following a car accident. We’ve been injury lawyers for more than 30 years and have seen the damage that can occur — don’t try to do this alone. Contact Metier Law Firm today to schedule a risk-free consultation with a personal injury attorney.

What To Do Immediately After An Accident:

1. Move to a Safe Area If Possible

Car accident injuries can be immense. Burns, broken bones, and more could prevent you from exiting your vehicle and moving away from traffic. If this is the case, then stay where you are and trust that help is on the way; most likely, someone has already called 911 in a situation like this. If the injuries are painful but you feel you are capable of moving, then attempt to move to a safe area. Cars are very likely to stop at the scene of the accident if it’s in the middle of the road. However, even without traffic as a problem, it could still be safer to exit the vehicle because of the risk of fire, explosion, leaking gas, etc.

2. Call the Police

Next, it’s necessary to call the police. Many people don’t feel the need to do this after minor accidents. Though our personal injury attorneys handle cases that are considered more involved and dangerous than minor accidents, we still can’t stress this point enough! Too often, people don’t call the police.
When police officers arrive, they’ll make a report of the scene and be able to corroborate information in the future if you work with an injury lawyer on your personal injury claim. It’s important to allow the police officer to objectively judge the scene and events while making the report and gathering information.

3. Make an Accurate Record

Now it’s time to make an accurate record of what transpired. Depending on the extent of your injuries at the scene of the accident, this may or may not be possible. If you work with a personal injury attorney in the future, then this information will prove invaluable in your claim:

• Witnesses: Ask for contact information and personal statements from all witnesses at the scene. When you work with a personal injury law firm later, these witnesses may be contacted to assist in your case.
• Photos: Take photos of the scene and your immediate injuries from a variety of angles. If your phone was damaged in the accident or can’t be found, then ask a witness or police officer to take photos.
• Other Driver: Get the name and contact information for the other driver, along with their license plate number, the make and model of their vehicle, and their insurance information. If there was a passenger in the other driver’s vehicle, then be sure to get their name and contact information as well.
• Setting: Write down the time of the accident, what happened in your own words, and the exact location of the accident.

4. Don’t Admit Responsibility

Any injury lawyer will tell you that, throughout the entire time you’re gathering information, speaking with first responders, etc., it’s important you don’t admit responsibility for the accident. Injury law can be difficult to grasp initially, but admitting fault is never a good idea. Even if, at the scene of the accident, you think it was all your fault, your personal injury attorney later may uncover information about the other driver that could completely absolve you of fault. However, if you’re on record in the past saying you’re responsible, then your personal injury claim may not go the way you’d like it to.
So remember, as you speak with police officers, witnesses, the other driver, and insurance companies, don’t admit fault.

5. Visit Your Doctor

Car accident injuries can range from minor injuries to severe personal injuries such as crushed bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, loss of limbs, burn injuries, and even death. Here at Metier Law Firm, we handle these severe, life-altering injuries in order to help you and your family get the compensation you deserve after a harrowing accident. It’s imperative you visit the hospital immediately.

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In the event that you don’t think your injuries are even that bad, our personal injury attorneys still recommend visiting a doctor immediately. This will make you aware of any unseen injuries that may have occurred — such as internal bleeding, for example. However, this will also serve as another record of the damage the car accident caused. On top of this, you’ll have these records if the onset of the car accident injuries occurs later.

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When you visit your doctor for car accident injuries, it’s also absolutely necessary that you save all records pertaining to your visits. Depending on how your personal injury claim with your insurance company goes or how your case with your injury lawyer goes, you’ll be reimbursed for the cost of medical care. You’ll need detailed records of how much you spent, what the money was spent on, and when you spent it.

6. Talk to Your Insurance Company

Finally, it’s time to speak with your insurance company to file a claim. Everything you need in order to do so — such as the name and address of the driver and their insurance information — should be included in the record you made in step three on this list.

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It’s important that you notify your insurance company of the accident quickly in order to get the best results. When you talk with them, remember not to admit fault. Find out if your coverage includes medical benefits, often referred to as MedPay. As personal injury attorneys, we recommend that you cooperate with the insurance company and provide the needed information, but don’t divulge more than you need to; tell your insurance company that you’ll get back to its representatives with more information after you speak with your personal injury attorney.

7. Meet With a Personal Injury Attorney

We’ve been alluding to your meeting with a personal injury attorney for this entire blog now, but it’s actually one of the final steps on this list. Everything else you’ve done on this list, however, will help you when you meet with an injury attorney in Wyoming. By doing this, you’ll have most, if not all, of the information you need for your personal injury claim or lawsuit to move along successfully.

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Here at our personal injury law firm, we know how devastating a serious car injury can be. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced in handling cases with tact and passion so you can hopefully get compensation for your car accident injuries. Get started with a personal injury attorney in Wyoming today by scheduling a risk-free consultation.

8. Keep a Journal

Finally, one other aspect our injury attorneys recommend is that you keep a journal throughout your personal injury claim process. Include pertinent information like hospital visits, cost of care, loss of work, and the emotional stress the accident has caused for you and your family. All of these can be covered and addressed by a personal injury settlement, and a detailed journal can serve as evidence in court. Be as detailed with this journal as you can be; our injury lawyers have seen clients include their medical records in their journals following the accident, along with photos and more.

Meet With a Personal Injury Attorney Today

Our injury attorneys are committed to your well-being and will do everything in your best interest from start to finish. There can be many causes of car accidents, including bad weather, adverse road conditions, reckless driving, defective tires or brakes, or excessive speed. When you choose Metier Law Firm as your personal injury firm, you’ll benefit from many personal injury attorneys who have experience with all of the causes listed above, along with a large variety of car accident injuries.

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We know how difficult the car accident and subsequent weeks, months, or even years can be. We make it as easy as possible for you by offering a risk-free consultation with a personal injury attorney once you contact us. Furthermore, our personal injury attorneys are paid on a contingent fee basis — meaning the legal fee is a percentage of the amount recovered. There is no fee unless and until money is actually collected for you. Contact us today to get started with a car accident lawyer today.