Eye Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents in Florida

Eye injuries from a motorcycle accident, whether minor irritations or debilitating conditions, can be excruciatingly painful and have a dramatic impact on a rider’s life moving forward. If you have any irritation in or around the eyes after a motorcycle accident, you want to ensure that you seek medical attention right away to help prevent the damage from becoming worse. Typically, the longer these injuries go untreated, the worse the resulting damage is to the eye. 

Helmets are protective eyewear that can help reduce the probability of an eye injury from a motorcycle accident. However, protective gear cannot prevent all injuries. Debris from the road, such as pebbles, sand, or even insects, can become projectiles, posing a threat to a rider’s vision. In the event of a collision, shattered glass or parts of the motorcycle itself can lead to significant ocular trauma. While full face helmets are best to help reduce the risk of eye injuries, riders with full protection can still be left with debilitating injuries due to no fault of their own.  

Some common motorcycle-related eye injuries include:

• Corneal abrasions: Scratches on the surface of the eye, often caused by dust or debris.
• Foreign bodies: Small objects embedded in the eye, leading to pain and potential infection.
• Orbital fractures: Broken bones around the eye, often resulting from direct trauma, such as a shattered eye socket.
• Retinal detachment: A condition where the retina pulls away from its normal position, potentially leading to permanent vision loss.
• Chemical burns: Caused by contact with harmful substances during a crash, such as battery acid.

Eye protection is non-negotiable for every motorcyclist. Here are some steps to ensure your eyes are shielded from potential harm:

• Wear a Full-face Helmet: Opt for helmets with a protective visor. Ensure that the visor is clean, scratch-free, and made of high-impact-resistant material.
• Use Safety Goggles: If you prefer open-face helmets, always wear safety goggles that offer side protection.
• Regular Maintenance: Ensure your motorcycle’s windshield is clean and free from cracks.

Eye injuries can have lifelong consequences, affecting not only your vision but also your livelihood and quality of life. Medical treatments for these types of injuries must be implemented right away to help reduce the risk of ongoing and permanent damage to the eye. For example, an untreated orbital fracture could lead to complete blindness if not properly treated right away. Additionally, surgeries and long term therapies for the eyes are often expensive. If your eye injury was the result of another party’s negligence, Florida law entitles you to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other damages. In navigating the complexities of such cases, you want to have an attorney from JustCallMoe Injury & Accident Attorneys who is familiar with the extent of an ocular injury and knows how to properly argue on your behalf to fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today!