Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Often, motorcycle accidents will result in serious, catastrophic injuries and even death. With preventative measures like helmets and protective gear, motorcyclists are a higher risk of injury or death in an accident between a bike and a vehicle. The impact or a motorcycle crash is devastating to the biker and their family.

In a motorcycle accident, motorcycle drivers are at risk for many different injuries. A motorcycle crash can result in numerous injuries varying in severity. Injuries can range from scrapes and bruises to traumatic brain injury or paralysis.

One of the most common injuries is road rash. This term often brings to mind bruises, cuts and scrapes. When road rash goes untreated, the victim can develop permanent damage. This can include infections, skin irritations and even nerve damage. At its most severe, road rash can be so sever that it exposes bones and ligaments. Such an injury if not treated promptly can result in death.

Injuries form motorcycle accidents can also include anything from limb amputations to spinal cord injuries and from broken bones to paralysis. After an accident it is important to remember to get medical attention immediately. Often injuries that do no seem serous can evolve and result in complications. An injury can quickly morph into a life-threatening injury that can have a devastating impact on the quality of life for the victim.

Many of the injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash can lead to disabilities and possibly assisted or long-term care. One of the most debilitating motorcycle injuries is paralysis which can happen as a result of trauma to the thoracic spine.

Many factors lading up to the accident determine injuries and their severity. One of the most common motorcycle crash injuries are head injuries. Head trauma is one of the leading causes of death for motorcyclists, whether they were wearing a helmet or not. In Kentucky motorcycle riders younger than 20-years-old must wear a helmet.

A motorcyclist’s life can change in the blink of an eye no matter how safely they are driving, what protective gear they are wearing or how diligent they are about following the rules of the road. In many instances, it is not the biker who caused the accident.

Motorcycle crash injuries

Other common motorcycle crash injuries may include:

Abdominal injuries
Ruptured organs
Chest trauma
Broken ribs
Soft tissue injuries
Brain injuries
Fractured skull
Broken bones
Amputations
Spinal cord injuries
Paralysis
Hand/wrist injuries

Injury statistics

Interestingly, the greatest percentage of injuries in a motorcycle accident affects legs and feet. In fact, about 30 percent of all non-fatal motorcycle injuries happen to the lower extremities. The next most common are neck and head injuries, coming in at 22 percent and followed closely by injuries to the back, shoulders, chest (upper trunk), then hand and arms and the pelvic area, including the hips (lower trunk) and external skin. Often, all those areas can be impacted at the same time.

The Association For The Advancement Of Automotive Medicine (AAAM) lists motorcycle injury locations in nine body areas: head, chest, abdomen, spine, neck, face, upper extremity, lower extremity, and external skin. The AAAM studies show that the lower extremities are the most common injury location. Death is typically caused by thoracic injuries, head trauma and/or abdominal injuries.

Riders wearing protective gear provides motorcycle riders and their passengers with extra protection. Protective gear mitigates the seriousness of injuries sustained in an accident. For example, upper body injuries can be minimized thanks to the shoulder armor incorporated into some bikers jackets. Hand sliders can reduce the frequency of broken bones.

If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident, contact the motorcycle accident attorneys at Hessig & Pohl. We are highly experienced personal injury attorneys who know how to handle motorcycle accidents. They make sure you get fair and equitable damages for your injuries. They do not quit until they get justice. Call them today for your free consultation at (502) 777-1111.