What Is the Most Common Motorcycle Injury?
Motorcyclists have a much higher chance of suffering severe accident injuries compared to other motorists. According to motorcycle safety facts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle riders are around 28 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger vehicle occupants. To understand why, we’ll look at the most common injuries motorcycle riders face during accidents.
Most studies on motorcycle accidents have looked at fatality rates and helmeted versus non-helmeted riders. The injuries we cover in this article are based on the data we have about motorcycle injuries and what we’ve seen from working with accident victims.
If a motorcycle accident injured you or someone you love, it’s best to reach out to a motorcycle accident attorney and learn your compensation options. To get connected with a lawyer for FREE today, call (469) 998-4069 or fill out one of our online forms.
Road Rash: The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injury
Road rash injuries are incredibly common for — and often exclusive to — motorcycle riders. Motorcyclists are often thrown from their bikes during a collision. They might slide across the pavement before coming to a stop.
When roadway pavement comes into contact with someone’s skin, it can cause severe road rash, even if the biker is wearing protective clothing. Road rash injuries can range from minor scrapes to rashes so severe that they require skin grafts. Accident debris can also enter the body through road rash injuries, and road rash injuries can lead to life-threatening infections if not treated promptly.
Leg Injuries
Feet and leg injuries are also prevalent for injured motorcycle riders. Since a motorcyclist’s legs are closer to the ground than other body parts, they are often the first to come into contact with the road or other vehicles.
If a rider’s bike tips or rolls over during a crash, the rider’s legs can get crushed or pinned underneath the bike, which can lead to fractures or other severe injuries.
Head and Brain Injuries
Most states require motorcyclists to wear helmets while riding their bikes. While helmet use helps protect a motorcyclist, it doesn’t completely prevent head and brain injuries.
Motorcycle accidents often cause concussions and other traumatic brain injuries, head lacerations, and complications lasting for years or even a lifetime. Large motorcycle engine sizes are also associated with a higher risk of head injuries during accidents.
Head or brain injuries can cost thousands of dollars to treat and heal. Some of them can impact your entire life forever. Unfortunately, insurance companies rarely treat these types of injuries seriously, which is why most accident victims need help from a lawyer.
Torso Injuries
Studies of fatally injured bikers have shown that many motorcyclists killed in accidents suffered severe injuries to their abdomen and chest area that includes all areas of the torso.
Torso injuries can puncture internal organs and damage other nearby body parts. The lungs can become punctured and collapsed, and the ribs can fracture. Further, injuries can cause complications like severe infections or disease.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Neck and brain injuries or other motorcycle accident trauma can cause spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries are some of the most severe damage a motorcyclist can experience from an accident. Unfortunately, even riders wearing helmets during an accident have little protecting them from spinal cord damage.
Spinal cord injuries can cause:
- Paraplegia (paralysis of the lower body and legs)
- Quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs)
- Temporary or permanent paralysis
Motorcyclists with spinal cord injuries have significant long-term medical expenses, not to mention months or years of physical therapy, rehabilitation, and lost wages.
To make sure they seek compensation for their current and future damages, we urge injured bikers and their family to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Otherwise, the biker might miss out on financial recovery to help cover their costs for an accident they did not cause. To get a FREE consultation and get matched with the best attorney for you, call (469) 998-4069 or contact us online today.
Most Common Motorcycle Injuries for Older Riders
Older age groups increasingly make up a more substantial portion of motorcycle riders. Data on injury patterns and severity among hospitalized motorcyclists has shown that older bikers:
- Are more likely to ride larger bikes
- Were involved in more accidents involving overturning or hitting highway structures
- Have a much higher rate of injuries to the thorax, especially multiple rib fractures
Larger engine sizes are associated with more head and thorax injuries, which would explain the increased rate of thorax injuries in older adults riding larger bikes.
Don’t Underestimate Your Motorcycle Injuries
Motorcycle accident injuries can impact a biker’s entire life. If a motorcycle accident left you injured, don’t delay getting medical treatment for your injuries right away.
Many motorcyclists are hesitant to seek medical treatment because they are worried about costly medical bills. However, if you did not cause your accident, you will need to see a doctor to:
- Create a record of you seeking treatment
- Give you an idea of how severe your injuries are (and what your total costs will look like)
- Prevent your injuries from worsening or becoming more life-threatening
If another motorist caused your accident, their insurance company will probably contact you soon afterward. Even if the insurance adjuster seems kind and interested in your well-being, don’t be fooled. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses that care most about reducing their costs.
To protect your legal rights from the beginning so that you can seek the fullest compensation possible, talk to an experienced lawyer. Your lawyer can help you build a strong insurance claim, gather evidence from the accident, and ensure the insurance company does not take advantage of you.
A motorcycle accident lawyer can also make sure you file your case within the statute of limitations — which is two years in Texas (Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003) — so that you don’t miss out on the recovery you need and deserve.
Get a Free Consultation with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Our Dallas car accident lawyers can match you with the best attorney for your needs, no matter where you live. The best part is that you won’t pay a fee unless your lawyer wins you compensation — so there is no risk to you.
To get your FREE consultation and learn more today, call us at (469) 998-4069 or contact us online.
