California Motorcycle Internal Injury Lawyer

Fighting for the Injured and Their Families

A motorcycle crash can leave behind more damage than anyone can see.

Broken bones and road rash are obvious. But what about the pain deep in your abdomen? The dizziness that won’t go away? The bruising that keeps spreading?

These can all be signs of internal injuries — and they’re some of the most dangerous injuries a rider can suffer.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we’ve represented riders across California who were told they were “lucky to be alive” after a crash, only to discover days later that internal bleeding or organ damage was threatening their life.

We’re California’s Motorcycle Law Firm — built by riders, for riders — and we fight for those whose injuries aren’t always visible, but whose pain is very, very real.

The Hidden Danger of Internal Injuries After a Motorcycle Crash

Motorcycle accidents expose riders to extreme forces. Even if you’re wearing all the right gear and a helmet, your body still takes the full brunt of the impact.

When a car hits a motorcyclist, the sudden deceleration and crushing forces can cause severe internal trauma — even if there are no cuts, broken bones, or obvious signs of injury.

Internal injuries are especially dangerous because symptoms don’t always show up right away. Riders might feel sore but assume they’re fine, only to collapse from internal bleeding hours or days later.

That’s why anyone involved in a motorcycle crash — no matter how “minor” it seems — should always get checked by a doctor and request a full trauma evaluation.

Your life may depend on it.

Common Types of Internal Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes

Internal injuries can affect nearly every system in the body. Some are immediately life-threatening, while others cause chronic pain and long-term complications.

Here are some of the most common we see in motorcycle accident cases:

  • Internal Bleeding: Often from blunt-force trauma to the chest or abdomen. Can lead to shock, organ failure, or death if untreated.

  • Organ Damage: Especially to the liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs. These injuries may require surgery and can lead to lifelong medical issues.

  • Punctured Lungs (Pneumothorax): Caused by broken ribs or impact to the chest, making it hard to breathe.

  • Ruptured Spleen or Liver: Two of the most common internal injuries in motorcycle crashes, often requiring emergency surgery.

  • Abdominal Trauma: Damage to internal organs or blood vessels in the abdomen, sometimes caused by impact with handlebars or the gas tank.

  • Internal Fractures: Broken ribs, pelvis, or sternum can cause further injury by puncturing nearby organs or arteries.

  • Aortic Tears: A severe and often fatal injury caused by the body’s sudden deceleration.

  • Compartment Syndrome: Swelling and pressure buildup inside muscles that can cut off blood flow and cause permanent damage.

These injuries aren’t always visible, and pain can be deceptive. That’s why delayed diagnosis is one of the biggest dangers in motorcycle crash cases.

Warning Signs of Internal Injuries You Should Never Ignore

After a crash, adrenaline can mask pain and symptoms. But internal bleeding and organ damage often announce themselves through subtle, progressive signs.

If you notice any of the following after a motorcycle accident, seek emergency care immediately:

  • Persistent or worsening abdominal pain

  • Deep bruising, especially around the abdomen or ribs

  • Dizziness, confusion, or fainting

  • Nausea or vomiting (especially with blood)

  • Rapid heartbeat or low blood pressure

  • Shortness of breath or chest pain

  • Swelling or hardness in the abdomen

  • Unexplained weakness or fatigue

  • Pale, clammy skin

Even if you feel “fine,” never assume you’re okay until a doctor clears you with imaging and labs. Internal injuries can be silent killers — and we’ve seen too many riders nearly lose their lives because they tried to tough it out.

How Internal Injuries Affect Riders and Families

Internal injuries don’t just put your body at risk — they can upend your entire life.

Hospital stays often stretch into weeks or months. Recovery can require multiple surgeries, organ monitoring, and long-term medication. Many riders can’t return to work for months, and some never regain full strength or stamina.

Meanwhile, the medical bills pile up, the insurance company calls start coming in, and you’re left trying to heal while worrying about how to keep your family afloat.

That’s where we come in.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we step in to handle everything — from the insurance claims and medical records to the investigation and legal fight — so you can focus on recovery.

We know how overwhelming it feels, and we’re here to shoulder that burden with you.

Common Causes of Internal Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes

The cause of your internal injuries may not be obvious — but that doesn’t mean no one is responsible.

We’ve handled cases involving internal trauma caused by:

No matter what caused your crash, we’ll find out why it happened — and who’s responsible.

Proving Internal Injury Cases

Internal injury cases require strong medical evidence and careful investigation. Insurance companies often argue that your pain is exaggerated or unrelated to the crash, especially if your injuries weren’t obvious at the scene.

We don’t let them get away with that.

Our approach includes:

  • Accident Reconstruction: Showing how the impact caused your internal trauma.

  • Medical Records & Imaging: Using CT scans, MRIs, and surgical reports to document the injury.

  • Expert Testimony: From trauma surgeons and medical professionals who can explain the injury’s severity and cause.

  • Economic Analysis: Proving the true financial impact — from lost wages to lifelong medical care.

When we take your case, we build it like it’s going to trial. That’s how we get the best settlements — because the insurance companies know we’re ready to go all the way.

What Compensation Can Cover in an Internal Injury Case

Every case is unique, but riders with internal injuries may be entitled to significant compensation for:

  • Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization

  • Surgeries and rehabilitation

  • Long-term medical monitoring

  • Lost income and diminished earning capacity

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional distress

  • Loss of enjoyment of life

  • Permanent disability or scarring

If your crash was caused by reckless or drunk driving, we may also pursue punitive damages — to make sure the person who hurt you faces real consequences.

Why Riders Trust McCarthy Motorcycle Law

We don’t run flashy ads or push people through a call center. We built this firm to take care of real riders with real injuries — one case at a time.

When you contact McCarthy Motorcycle Law, you talk directly to John McCarthy, a trial lawyer with a national reputation for fighting — and winning — for riders and families. John has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements, and he does it by treating every client like family.

Because to us, this isn’t just another case. It’s someone’s life. Someone’s recovery. Someone’s future.

And we take that personally.

You’ll never get pawned off on an associate or paralegal. You’ll have direct contact with your lawyer, honest updates, and a clear plan from day one.

We Know California’s Roads — and What Can Go Wrong on Them

From Highway 9 in the Santa Cruz Mountains to Highway 1 along the coast of Monterey, and the long, open stretches of 101 through Santa Maria and Salinas — we know California’s roads, and we know how quickly they can turn deadly when drivers aren’t paying attention.

We’ve handled cases across the Central Coast and beyond, working with local investigators, CHP officers, and accident reconstruction experts who understand what riders face every day.

When a negligent driver or company causes your internal injuries, we know how to prove it — and how to get your family justice.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery and Justice

If you or someone you love suffered internal injuries in a motorcycle crash, don’t wait. Internal injury cases are time-sensitive — evidence can disappear, and symptoms can worsen.

We offer free, confidential case evaluations, and every one goes directly to John McCarthy. There’s no cost to talk, no pressure to hire, and no fee unless we win.

We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and help you understand your options. If we can help, we’ll fight like hell to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.

McCarthy Motorcycle Law — California’s Motorcycle Law Firm. Built by Riders. Fighting for Justice.