According to the NHTSA reports, motorcycle riders are 26 times more likely in a traffic collision and are also five times more likely to sustain injuries. Compared to cars, motorcycles are less stable and less obvious to other drivers. Due to the limited coverage and protection that motorcycles offer riders, motorcycle accidents pose significant risks.
Several factors can affect how serious the injuries are. Even though some patients recover from their injuries, they frequently need to be admitted and undergo rehabilitation after a collision. Damages to the extremities are one of the most prevalent injuries you can sustain from motorcycle crashes, but head and chest injuries also happen regularly. Leg bone fractures are more common when a motorcyclist is involved in a collision. Read ahead to learn about the most common injuries caused by motorcycle accidents.
Common Injuries:
Most fatal and permanently disabling injuries occur when the front of the motorcycle is struck. Some of the more frequent wounds experienced by motorcycle riders include the following:
Lower Extremity:
Victims frequently suffer damage to their lower limbs. The knees, calves, ankles, and feet are other vulnerable body areas besides the legs. Although most of these wounds don’t result in death, they can be excruciatingly painful and cause permanent impairment. Motorcycle accidents frequently result in broken bones that require surgically implanted rods, pins, screws, and other hardware. Road rash is another injury that can happen to a motorcyclist’s lower body.
Upper Extremity:
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), upper extremity injuries are the second most common motorcycle accident injuries. Shoulder injuries and torn rotator cuffs are frequently sustained by motorcyclists who crash hard and fall on their bikes. It’s common to break fingers, arms, and elbows. Motorcyclists who sustain injuries may have lifelong nerve damage in their upper body. Body armor and motorcycle gloves can offer some protection.
Thorax:
The heart, lungs, and other internal organs are housed in the thorax. Blunt force trauma to the chest can harm any of these essential organs and induce internal bleeding. Broken ribs, which can lacerate the spleen, kidney, liver, or puncture a lung, are a common injury suffered by motorcycle accident victims.
The lungs are especially prone to collapse, bruising, and damage in motorbike accidents. Ventilation is frequently needed for lung damage, and surgery may be necessary. Aortic rupture is another risk for injured bikers.
Head:
A head injury is one of the most serious injuries a biker can sustain from a rear-end accident. Head injuries can result in long-term physical, mental, and emotional impairments, and in worst cases, accidents can be fatal. Brain injury can result from skull fractures.
Motorbike riders frequently sustain concussions, traumatic brain injuries, comas, bleeding, brain swelling, seizures, and paralysis due to motorcycle accidents. Riders who sustain injuries may have coordination and motor skill loss, confusion, memory loss, anxiety, and other symptoms.
Spine:
Spinal cord and spine injuries can have severe consequences. The spinal cord’s nerves carry motor instructions from the brain. Injury-related paralysis can take many forms, including quadriplegia, which is complete paralysis from the neck down. Other spinal injuries may include incontinence and breathing issues.
Safety Precautions:
There are steps that every rider can take to reduce the likelihood of accidents and lessen casualties.
- Always wear a helmet
- Wear appropriate gear
- Regularly repair the motorcycle
- Observe the traffic laws
- Never drive under the influence
Hire an Attorney:
Since motorcycle accident injuries can be severe, it’s crucial to have a skilled attorney fighting for you. Speaking with experienced motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible following the collision is advisable. A lawyer would be aware of the statutes of limitations and assist in gathering evidence, speaking with witnesses, reconstructing the accident, and obtaining specialists to testify on your side for an injury claim or lawsuit.
Final Thoughts:
Excessive speeding and other dangerous driving practices cause many motorbike collisions. An automobile may not be able to stop in time to avoid a motorcycle if it is driving faster than the speed limit. Accidents can also result from careless behavior, such as aggressive driving. After receiving medical attention, you should get a lawyer to handle your case.
