Motorcycle accident injuries can be devastating and life-altering. Motorcycle riders enjoy a unique experience — the thrill of hitting the open road and being able to connect with the road and feel the rush of wind as they travel. Yet, there’s a downside to all that fun — the danger of being involved in a motorcycle crash. As riders know, without the protective barrier of a metal car frame, airbag, and seatbelt, they’re highly susceptible to sustaining severe motorcycle accident injuries in the event of a collision.
Motorcycle crashes can result in serious injuries that can dramatically alter a person’s quality of life, and sadly, they can also be fatal. Therefore, it is important for motorcyclists to understand the common motorcycle accident injuries and the long-term effects of such injuries, not only for awareness purposes, but to understand the gravity of the situation in the aftermath of a crash.
The Harsh Reality of Motorcycle Crash Injuries
In a motorcycle accident, when a motorcycle collides with a car, the motorcyclist has no protection — nothing to protect him/her from the impact of the pavement, the other vehicle, or anything else that he/she hits. Thus, motorcycle crash injuries tend to be much worse than those sustained in a car accident due to the fact that the motorcyclist’s body absorbs the full force of the impact of the collision.
Even if the motorcycle is traveling at a very slow speed, the likelihood of sustaining severe injuries is great. Unfortunately, the rehabilitation process can be lengthy, painful, and costly, impacting each area of a motorcyclist’s life — his/her ability to work and daily activities.
Road Rash Injuries: More Than Just a Scrape
One of the most frequent motorcycle accident injuries is road rash. Some may think of road rash as simply a scrape, but it can be a severely debilitating injury. Road rash occurs when a motorcyclist slides across the pavement, and the friction causes his/her skin to be scraped off. Unlike a simple cut, road rash is an abrasion that can scrape through several layers of skin and muscle, and even to the bone in extreme situations.
Here are the three types of road rash injuries:
- 1st degree road rash: Similar to a sunburn (redness and minor scarring).
- 2nd degree road rash: Broken skin with visible damage to the layers beneath the skin.
- 3rd degree road rash: The worst type of road rash, in which the skin is completely removed, exposing the layers of fat, muscle, and bone. This type of road rash poses a high risk of developing life-threatening infections and results in severe scarring and nerve damage.
Treatment of third-degree road rash can involve skin grafting and extended periods of hospitalization to prevent life-threatening infections.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Even with a helmet, a rider’s head is extremely vulnerable in a crash. A traumatic brain injury can occur when the head strikes the pavement or another object, or even from the violent jolting motion of the collision itself. TBIs range from mild concussions to severe injuries that cause permanent brain damage.
The impact of a TBI can be profound. Victims may struggle with memory loss, cognitive difficulties, personality changes, and a loss of motor function. The recovery can take years, and many people never fully return to the person they were before the accident. These are among the most catastrophic motorcycle accident injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
The force of a motorcycle accident can cause severe damage to the spinal cord. The spinal cord is not capable of withstanding the same amount of pressure as the rest of the body. When a motorcyclist suffers a fracture to the vertebrae or damage to the spinal cord, the motorcyclist can suffer from either partial or total paralysis. Paralysis is a life-changing injury that affects not only the victim but the victim’s family as well.
The costs associated with medical expenses, assistive equipment, and home modifications for a person who suffers from paralysis can exceed millions of dollars over their lifetime. The costs associated with paralysis can significantly affect motorcycle injury claims.
Lower Extremity Injuries: Legs, Knees, and Feet
Due to the fact that a motorcyclist’s legs are exposed, they are commonly injured in motorcycle collisions. Motorcyclists’ legs can become trapped between their motorcycles and the other vehicles involved in the collision or between the pavement and their motorcycles. Such trapping can result in complex bone fractures, damaged joints, and severe soft tissue damage.
Lower extremity injuries can require extensive surgery and prolonged periods of physical therapy, and can result in a permanent limp or loss of mobility.
The Financial and Emotional Toll of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
The effects of motorcycle accident injuries extend far beyond the physical pain suffered by the motorcyclist. The financial burdens can be overwhelming. Medical expenses can rapidly exceed hundreds of thousands of dollars. Loss of employment can create additional stress for the motorcyclist and their families. For this reason, it is essential for motorcyclists to pursue fair compensation for the full extent of their injuries.
The emotional toll of motorcycle accident injuries can be just as damaging. Chronic pain, permanent disabilities, and psychological trauma can lead to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These are legitimate damages that should be accounted for in motorcycle accident cases.
Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for the full impact of your injuries. This includes your medical bills, lost wages, future loss of earning capacity, and the non-economic damages for your pain and suffering. But getting a fair settlement from an insurance company is a fight. They often try to blame the rider, playing on unfair stereotypes. You need an advocate who understands the true cost of motorcycle accident injuries and will fight for you.
Our firm handles serious motorcycle accident cases and understands how complex these claims can be.
Your Path to Recovery
Recovering from motorcycle accident injuries is a long and arduous process. The physical, emotional, and financial challenges of recovering from a motorcycle accident can seem daunting. Motorcyclists do not have to endure this journey alone. By understanding the most common motorcycle accident injuries and their consequences, motorcyclists can begin to educate themselves regarding how to protect their rights.
Experienced attorneys can provide guidance to motorcyclists in the process of navigating the complexities of their motorcycle accident injury claim, so that motorcyclists can concentrate on their own recovery.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, contact us for a free consultation. We’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are road rash injuries considered serious?
Road rash injuries can be quite serious. Serious or third-degree road rash can leave serious scarring for the rest of your life, damage to nerves and even death from infection. Many road rash injuries require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafting.
Can I still file a claim if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
You can still file a claim. However, California has a mandatory helmet requirement. The insurance company may argue comparative negligence, which could impact your settlement.
What are the most common motorcycle crash injuries?
Common injuries include road rash, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, lower extremity injuries, and internal injuries.
Why are motorcycle injury claims often more complex?
They are complex because injuries are typically more severe and damages are higher. Insurance companies often attempt to unfairly shift blame to the rider.
How can a lawyer help with my motorcycle accident injuries?
An attorney can investigate the accident, determine liability, calculate long-term damages, and protect you from insurance tactics designed to reduce your settlement.
