Common injuries after motorcycle accidents include road rash, head injuries, hand and arm injuries, broken bones, torso injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Motorcycle riders in general have a significantly higher accident injury and fatality rate than other motorists.
These injuries are often severe and may result in permanent impairment or disability. If you have injuries from a crash while riding, a Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer can investigate the accident and identify opportunities to recover financial compensation.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycles don’t have an enclosed cabin like passenger vehicles do, so riders are completely exposed to crash forces. Consequently, crashes are much more likely to cause severe injury. Below are some of the most common types of injuries from motorcycle accidents.
Road Rash and Abrasions
Riders who are thrown from their seats can sustain minor or major abrasions and scrapes as they slide across the pavement. Road rash wounds can penetrate skin deep enough to damage nerve tissues and may cause infections if not treated properly. Abrasion can also cause extensive scarring without reconstructive surgery.
Head Injuries and Concussions
The physical trauma of the head hitting the pavement can cause concussions and traumatic brain injury. Even mild brain injuries can result in lasting cognitive and motor issues, like difficulty concentrating, headaches, memory problems, mood swings, chronic fatigue, and loss of coordination.
Compound Fractures
Compound fractures (or open fractures) are injuries where the broken bone pierces through the skin. These types of fractures can require intensive surgery and may cause permanent damage to nearby tissue. The sheer impact force of a motorcycle accident is sufficient to cause compound fractures in most major bones, like the humerus, femur, tibia, or ulna/radius.
Hand and Arm Injuries
The delicate structures in the hands and arms are highly susceptible to injury during motorcycle accidents, particularly the fingers. “Degloving” injuries are common, where the skin on the hands is removed, leaving the underlying bone and muscle exposed. Riders may also injure their wrists, forearms, and elbows if they try to catch themselves falling.
Foot and Leg Injuries
The design of a motorcycle means that a car can pinch and trap the rider’s legs and feet if it crashes into them from the side. Riders can also become trapped if their bike falls on top of their lower body, injuring their hips and thighs.
Torso and Chest Injuries
Blunt force trauma directed at the torso can cause massive injuries, ranging from broken ribs to organ damage and internal bleeding. Torso injuries can be difficult to treat as blood can pool inside the body’s abdominal cavity.
Spinal Cord Injury
Injuries to the spinal cord can disrupt nerve communication, causing partial or complete paralysis below the injury site. Spinal cord injuries can cause permanent mobility limitations and chronic pain.
Motorcycle Accidents Have a High Fatality Rate
According to the National Safety Council, motorcycles make up just 3% of registered vehicles but comprise more than 15% of traffic fatalities. This translates to a fatality rate of over 31 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles.
The majority of these fatal accidents happen on rural roads and involve crashes with two or more vehicles. If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, a wrongful death lawyer in Charlotte can help you pursue a wrongful death claim to recover compensation for your losses.
Tips for Avoiding Motorcycle Accidents and Injuries
The best way to deal with common injuries after a motorcycle accident is to stop them from happening in the first place. Below are some tips on how to avoid danger and lower your risk while riding:
- Wear appropriate clothing. You should always wear long sleeves, pants, and closed-toed shoes when riding. Thick clothing, like a leather jacket and jeans, can protect you from road rash and abrasions.
- Use a helmet. Failing to wear a helmet significantly increases the risk of head injuries and can impact your final settlement if you are judged partially at fault.
- Give motorists a wide berth. You can’t always rely on other drivers to act prudently, so ride defensively and give passenger vehicles a wide berth.
- Perform regular maintenance. You should get regular motorcycle maintenance and make repairs quickly.
- Adjust riding when needed. You need to respond and adjust your riding to environmental conditions, like slowing down when it’s raining.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today.
CR Legal Team: Motorcycle Injury Lawyers in Charlotte
You can follow every rule and precaution and still get into a motorcycle accident due to another’s negligence. In those cases, the attorneys at CR Legal Team are here to offer our assistance and guidance. We Stand Up For You® and fight for the financial compensation you need to recover and rebuild.
If you have more questions about common injuries after a motorcycle accident or would like to meet with a personal injury lawyer, reach out online or by phone for a free case consultation.
