Common Injuries Associated with Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are an all-too common occurrence, especially this time of year. During the hot summer months, it is more tempting than ever to leave the helmet at home and hit the beautiful roadways for an exhilarating ride. However, throwing caution to the wind and failing to adhere to proper safety practices can prove to be deadly. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 80% of all motorcycle accidents result in serious injury. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that nearly 1.5 million people were treated in U.S. emergency rooms for non-fatal, motorcycle-related injuries from 2007-2015. In a similar study, the CDC found that 22% of most common motorcycle crash injuries affected the head and neck. We will look at a few additional statistics later, but this should give you a good idea of just how serious motorcycle accidents can be.

In order to avoid injury and ensure the safety of you, your passengers, and other riders, it is of the utmost importance that you follow all motorcycle safety precautions. Depending on the cause of the accident, environment, and what kind of gear the motorcycle rider was wearing, injuries can range from minor to disabling. Given the high speed at which motorcycles travel, these accidents also have a much greater chance of being fatal than other types of accidents. In order to give you a better idea of just how serious motorcycle accidents can be and what you can do to lessen your chances of becoming the victim of a motorcycle crash, we are going to look at the most common injuries associated with these types of accidents:

• Head Injury – The most common injury for motorcycle crashes is a head injury, which could range from a concussion to brain damage. It is absolutely imperative that you always wear your helmet in order to lessen your chances of sustaining a serious head injury
• Road Rash – This type of injury happens when a motorcycle rider slides across the pavement following an accident. If the rider is not wearing protective clothing or traveling at too high of a speed, the pavement could reach the skin underneath the clothes, resulting in skin irritations, infections, and surface nerve damage
• Muscle Damage – If not properly protected, a motorcyclist’s muscles could become damaged – either temporarily or permanently
• Biker’s Arm – This is a common condition that happens following the initial impact of a motorcycle accident. In many cases, the motorcyclist lands on their arm after getting thrown from their bike, which can cause serious damage
• Leg Injury – Finally, leg injuries are yet another common injury associated with motorcycle accidents. While typically not fatal, leg injuries can still be extremely serious and affect a person’s overall quality of life

Keep in mind this list is far from exhaustive and just goes over the most common injuries from motorcycle accidents. Let’s look at a few additional statistics to help reiterate how serious motorcycle accidents are:

• Motorcycle riders are 26% more likely to die in a traffic collision than those traveling in a car
• Motorcycle riders are 5% more likely to be injured in a traffic incident than passenger vehicle occupants
• On average, 5,000 motorcycle riders die each year in the U.S.
• Motorcyclists account for 14% of all traffic fatalities

To learn more about motorcycle accidents in Dallas, please contact Rad Law Firm today. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are prepared to answer any questions you may have and help you understand your rights following a serious motorcycle accident.