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Common motorcycle accident injuries can range from road rash, scrapes, and bruises to brain injury, spinal cord injury, and even death. If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, speaking with a motorcycle accident lawyer at Regan Zambri Long is in your best interest. Our attorneys can help you navigate the claims process and secure the compensation you deserve. Call today for a free consultation.
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The rider’s exposed body leaves room for him to incur severe injuries anywhere in the event of an accident. However, according to the National Library of Medicine, three variables affect the areas of injury: the type of motorcycle accident, the age of the victim, and helmet usage.
We’ll take a look at all the common injuries suffered in a motorcycle crash and how these variables come into play:
Thoracic injuries are injuries to the chest, including broken ribs, collapsed lungs, and a torn aorta. They were increased among motorcycle crashes that involved a fixed object or a parked vehicle and in overturn accidents. Older riders have a significantly higher percentage of thoracic injuries, especially rib fractures. Approximately 1/4 of unhelmeted riders reported injuries in their chest.
Head injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, are common following motorcycle accidents. The largest risk of a head injury is when a motorcyclist is involved in an overturned crash. However, they are also prevalent when a biker hits a fixed object. Older motorcyclists tend to ride bigger bikes with larger engines, which increases the risk of a traumatic brain injury.
For younger and older motorcyclists, the most common regions of injury are the lower extremities: leg injuries, hip injuries, and knee injuries. Skidding (when the motorcycle rider tries to brake hard to avoid a crash) produces friction between the rider’s legs and the road, creating road rash. Statistically, the lower extremities are the most affected region of the body for both helmeted and unhelmeted riders.
In many accident cases, motorcycle riders are launched from their bikes. A common reflex? Break the fall with your arms, which leads to massive upper body injuries: torn rotator cuffs, broken bones (arms, fingers, elbows, etc.), and shoulder injuries.
Unfortunately, spinal injuries are significantly more common among younger riders. A spinal cord injury is devastating to the victim. When the bundle of nerves that sends and receives signals to the brain is damaged, it can leave the victim either partially or fully paralyzed.
Facial injuries include facial fractures, broken nose, broken jaw bone, and broken teeth. Interestingly, younger riders with helmets have fewer facial and head injuries, whereas older riders with helmets have more.
Injured motorcyclists can suffer soft tissue and nerve damage to their neck – tendons, ligaments, and muscles are at high risk of being severely injured. Whiplash, which is when a rider’s neck whips back and forth in the impact of the crash, can leave him with chronic pain for years to come. If a rider breaks his or her neck on impact, it can cause a spinal cord injury that leads to paralysis.
A motorcycle accident can cause organ damage to the rider’s spleen or liver. These injuries are particularly dangerous because they are invisible to the naked eye. Internal bleeding may require surgery and, in the most extreme cases, result in death.
Although the lower extremities are statistically the most impacted part of the body, over 40% of fatal motorcycle accidents are caused by head trauma.
A rider may be thrown from the vehicle and hit his head on the pavement, causing a traumatic brain injury. The impact of the collision could cause a bleed on the brain or a skull fracture. Debris from the accident could penetrate the brain. The victim could suffer a cerebral edema, which is swelling of the brain.
In 2019 alone, fatal injuries in motorcycle accidents made up 14% of all traffic fatalities. Unfortunately, that number continues to increase each year.
The effects of a serious motorcycle crash can last a lifetime. Along with the physical toll of a severe injury, accident victims must also deal with emotional repercussions and financial consequences.
Physically, injured motorcyclists have to endure extremely painful recoveries and uncertain futures. Limb amputations, nerve damage, and spinal cord injuries can have profound impacts on daily life, requiring ongoing medical care and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, even after extensive medical attention, severe accidents can lead to lasting physical limitations, like chronic pain, reduced mobility, or even a permanent disability that makes them dependent on assistive devices.
Physical pain and changes in their day-to-day abilities take an emotional toll on the victims. The trauma of a motorcycle accident can trigger psychological challenges like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Survivors may experience flashbacks, nightmares, and difficulty engaging in activities they once enjoyed.
Finally, the financial implications of severe motorcycle accident injuries can cripple an individual and their family. Mounting medical expenses and lost wages due to missed work can create significant financial strain.
When you’re dealing with motorcycle accident injuries, the last thing on your mind is a lawsuit. However, filing a claim against the negligent parties that caused your accident can help you recover the financial compensation you’ll need to pay the medical bills and property damage from your accident.
The Regan Zambri Long motorcycle accident lawyers have helped hundreds of people just like you recover maximum compensation for the following damages:
Work with leading motorcycle injury lawyers who have recovered millions for our clients, including a $1.6 million settlement for a motorcycle driver struck by another vehicle. Our attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience and are experts in local motorcycle laws, insurance policies, and court systems. Call today to get the process started.
