Typical Motorcycle Bodily Injuries Reported
If you’re a motorcycle enthusiast in Sacramento, you know that the city is full of great places to ride. But unfortunately, there are also a lot of hazards on the road.
Motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere, and they often result in serious injuries. The most common injuries we see at our Sacramento personal injury law firm are broken bones, road rash, and head injuries.
Rearend collisions are a common type of motorcycle crash. They usually involve a collision between a motorcycle and a larger object, such as a truck, bus, or SUV. If the bike travels faster than the car, the impact can send the rider flying.
Left turn accidents occurred when the rider turned left without looking for oncoming traffic. Additionally, left turn accidents are dangerous because other drivers don’t always see motorcycles turning in front of them.
Another common type of motorcycling accident is a rollover. This typically occurs when a motorcycle flips over, especially when the rider loses control of the bike. Rollovers are very dangerous because the rider can lose consciousness. If a rider falls asleep while riding, their body will go limp, and the cycle can flip over.
These injuries can be excruciating and can have a long-term impact on your life. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, we can help. We have a team of experienced personal injury lawyers who have successfully represented many motorcycle accident victims.
What are some typical motorcycle accident Injuries?
Motorcycle accidents are one of the leading causes of death among young people. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists account for about 25% of all traffic fatalities. Motorcycles are often seen as a fun way to travel around town, but riding a bike without proper protection puts you at risk of severe injury or even death. Here are some of the most common damages sustained during a motorcycle crash.
Brain & Head Injuries
The skull protects our brain from impact forces. If riders aren’t wearing helmets, they could sustain a concussion. A blow to the head can cause bleeding inside the skull and swelling that disrupts normal brain function. This type of injury is called traumatic brain injury. Other types of head trauma include contusions, lacerations, fractures, and hemorrhages. These injuries can lead to memory loss, confusion, headaches, dizziness, vision problems, seizures, and coma.
Neck or Spinal Injury
A neck injury occurs when the head moves backward or forward and hits another part of the body. Neck injuries can occur from falls, collisions, crashes, injuries, and other incidents. However, if the neck is injured, it can affect how well the rest of the body functions. For example, if the spine is damaged, it can cause paralysis or numbness in parts of the body.
Other Types of Injuries
Suppose a person loses control of their motorcycle while driving. In that case, they might suffer cuts, bruises, scrapes, burns, internal organ damage, or other injuries. Some riders wear protective gear like leather jackets, boots, gloves, helmets, knee pads, elbow pads, and shin guards. Riders who don’t use safety equipment are at greater risk of injury.
What are the most severe motorcycle bodily damage?
Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death among motorcyclists involved in car crashes. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traumatic brain injuries account for nearly half of all fatal motorcycle crashes.
Motorcycle helmets do not protect against all types of head trauma. While wearing a helmet reduces the risk of skull fracture, it cannot eliminate the possibility of a concussion or other serious head injuries. Even though a motorcycle crash victim wears a helmet, they could still suffer a TBI due to high-speed impacts or being ejected from the vehicle.
In addition to head injuries, other body parts can sustain damage during a motorcycle crash. For example, broken bones, internal bleeding, and spinal cord injuries can occur. Other possible injuries include lacerations, cuts, bruises, sprains, concussions, and whiplash.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Motorcycle riders are often injured in collisions with cars. A recent study found that motorcyclists suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) at twice the rate of drivers involved in similar crashes. These injuries can lead to long-term disability or even death.
The most common injury associated with motorcycle crashes is spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries occur when the impact forces cause the spine to bend beyond its normal range of motion. This causes damage to nerves and blood vessels within the spinal column.
In addition to spinal cord injuries, TBIs can affect the brain itself. Traumatic brain injuries happen when the head moves rapidly toward another object. If the force of the collision is enough, it can break bones and tear the tissue inside the skull.
A person suffering from a TBI may experience confusion, dizziness, memory loss, headaches, drowsiness, seizures, vomiting, nausea, vision problems, hearing impairment, personality changes, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may recover, while others may never fully return to their previous state.
Internal Injuries
Motorcycle accidents often cause internal injuries. These injuries happen when something inside the body gets hit or crushed. Internal injuries can damage organs and tissues. They can even kill you.
While most people think of broken bones and bruises when it comes to motorcycling, there are many other ways that riders can suffer serious injury. Here are some common causes of internal injuries:
• Head Injury – Many motorcycle accidents involve head injuries because of vehicle speed. Riders sometimes lose control of their bikes and crash into trees, cars, fences, buildings, and each other. This type of accident can lead to brain trauma. Contact our office immediately if you have been injured in such an accident.
• Chest Injuries – Motorcycles don’t always protect riders well against chest injuries, either. Sometimes riders fall off their motorcycles and land on their chests. Or, they might run over objects while riding. Either way, a chest injury can occur.
• Spinal Cord Injury – Spinal cord injury is another dangerous part of a motorcycle accident. This happens when a person suffers a severe whiplash injury. Whiplash occurs when the neck twists suddenly. The sudden motion can injure the nerves that connect the brain to the rest of the body.
• Pelvic Fracture – Also known as pelvic fractures, pelvic bone breaks are another common type of internal injury. They can occur when a bike falls on someone or when a rider crashes into a stationary object.
• Lung Injury – People who ride motorcycles know how hard breathing is when you’re up high on a moving machine. But lung injuries aren’t just caused by being thrown around. They can also come from getting caught in the wind or hitting something solid.
What are the lasting effects of motorcycle accident injuries?
Motorcycle accidents are one of the most common types of vehicle crashes. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 50% of all traffic deaths involve motorcycles. Motorcycles account for about 3% of vehicles registered in the United States. However, they represent approximately 15% of all fatal crashes.
The NHTSA estimates that around 5,500 people die yearly because of motorcycle crashes. About half of those fatalities happen in urban areas with high pedestrian and bicycle traffic rates. Another third of deaths occur in rural areas where roads are less congested.
Injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents vary depending on the type of crash involved. For example, in a rear-end collision, the driver of the vehicle behind you moves forward and hits you. In contrast, in a side-impact collision, the passenger side of your bike slams into something.
Patients who suffer severe injuries often experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD develops when someone experiences a life-threatening event, such as a car crash. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is another major complication of motorcycle accidents. TBI often involves bleeding inside the skull, brain swelling, and nerve and other tissue damage. Some studies suggest that up to 80% of victims of motorcycle accidents sustain some form of TBI.
Broken bones are another common injury associated with motorcycle accidents. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that nearly 40% of people who died in motorcycle accidents had multiple fractures.
What are some tips for preventing motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle helmets protect against severe head trauma such as brain damage, skull fracture, and concussion. However, wearing a helmet does not guarantee you won’t suffer a head injury. Many factors are involved in causing a crash, including speed, weather conditions, road surface type, vehicle size, driver skill level, etc.
The most important thing to remember about riding a motorcycle requires constant attention. You must pay close attention to the traffic, especially vehicles traveling faster than you. Always wear protective gear like helmets, eye goggles/glasses, and leather boots. Never ride without proper clothing, even during cold weather. Consult your local bike shop if you’re unsure whether you need additional safety equipment.
Here are some tips to help prevent motorcycle crashes:
• Wear a helmet. Motorcycles are inherently dangerous machines that require constant attention. Even though wearing a helmet offers little protection against minor bumps and bruises, it significantly protects against severe head trauma.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your eyes open while driving. Look both ways before turning left or right. Watch for pedestrians, bicycles, cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, animals, construction zones, and other hazards.
• Slow down. Speeding increases the chances of being involved in a collision. Drive safely and obey posted speed limits.
• Stay alert. Pay attention to what’s happening around you. Don’t text or talk on your phone while driving.
How should you proceed if you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash?
Motorcycle accidents are one of the most common cars crashes in the United States. Motorcyclists make up less than five percent of the total number of drivers involved in fatal car accidents yearly. However, motorcyclist fatalities still account for approximately 30 percent of all traffic deaths. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, you must know how to protect yourself and your legal rights. Here are some tips to help you recover from a motorcycle accident.
1. Do Not Move Yourself
If you’re injured in a motorcycle accident, you must remain where you are until medical assistance arrives. This includes moving your body parts that are broken or otherwise damaged. Moving around could cause further injury and delay treatment.
2. Seek Medical Care Immediately
After being hit by another vehicle, call 9-1-1 immediately. Tell the operator how many people were riding with you and whether anyone else was hurt. You’ll want to describe the accident’s location, including the road name, direction, and speed limit.
3. Stay Calm
Keep your emotions in check during the initial stages of the investigation. When speaking to law enforcement officers, answer questions honestly and calmly. Don’t lie or try to hide information.
Why Its Importance To Hire an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
It is always essential to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney after you have been involved in a motorcycle accident. The accident attorney will help you to understand your legal rights and options and can also help you to receive the compensation that you deserve.
An experienced motorcycle accident attorney will know how to investigate the accident and gather all necessary evidence. Our Sacramento attorney will also work with the insurance companies to ensure you receive the compensation you are entitled to. The motorcycle accident attorney will also negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf.
Suppose the other driver’s insurance company is unwilling to offer you a fair settlement. In that case, the attorney may file a lawsuit on your behalf. You should always consult with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney after you have been involved in a motorcycle accident. Our attorney will help you to understand your legal rights and options and can also help you to receive the fair compensation that you deserve.
How Our Firm Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident
Knowing what steps to take immediately following the crash is essential if you are involved in a motorcycle accident. You could lose your legal rights if you do not act quickly enough. At our firm, we understand how overwhelming dealing with an injury can be. That’s why we offer free consultations to discuss your case and answer any questions you might have. Call Ashley Injury Lawyers today at 916-419-1111
Ask Us Questions About Motorcycle Accidents
Ashley Injury Lawyers offers free consultations for motorcycle accident cases. If you are injured due to another driver’s negligence, we can help you recover damages. Our experienced attorneys can guide you through the process and answer questions about what happens next.
We know how difficult it can be to deal with insurance companies, adjusters, and lawyers. When you retain our firm, we take over the entire process. We handle everything from filing your claim to negotiating with the insurance carrier. We do not charge you for this assistance if we don’t win your case.
Contact us today if you are involved in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence.
