According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle accidents cause more traffic fatalities each year in the United States than any other type of vehicle.
This indicates the injuries sustained by motorcyclists in crashes are generally more severe than in accidents involving cars or trucks.
Motorcycles don't have the same safety features to protect against impacts that cars or trucks do, so this makes complete sense.
That means that every time you hop on your motorcycle, you're putting yourself at risk for severe injury or death.
In the article below, we will take a look at a few of the more serious injuries you're at risk for when you're riding your motorcycle.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Road Rash
- Broken Bones
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Seek Legal Help
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury is a type of acquired brain injury that occurs when the brain is suddenly traumatized.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) typically occurs when an object hits your head with force, when it's shaken back and forth, or when the skull and the brain are punctured by an object.
TBIs are some of the most dangerous injuries among motorcyclists involved in an accident. They are more likely to happen if you aren't wearing a helmet during the accident.
According to the NHSA, 6.6% of un-helmeted motorcyclists sustained a moderate to severe facial or head injury, while 5.1% of helmeted motorcyclists suffered this type of injury.
15% of hospital-treated motorcyclists suffered a TBI, and TBI severity varied by helmet use. More than 7% of non-helmeted, hospital-treated motorcyclists sustained a severe TBI.
A TBI can affect cognitive abilities, physical abilities, and emotions.
Some TBIs may improve with surgeries, other treatments, or time, but most will affect the victim for the rest of their life.
Road Rash
Road rash is a type of friction burn on the skin that is caused when a motorcyclist's skin is dragged along the surface of the road.
These injuries are common when a motorcyclist is knocked off the bike and travels along the roadway before coming to a stop.
Road rash can affect any part of your body but is most common on the hands, arms, back, or legs.
Road rash is excruciating, but it is rarely fatal, though complications such as infection may arise.
Sometimes skin grafts are needed t treat the affected area, and severe road rash can lead to permanent scarring.
Broken Bones
It's very common for a motorcyclist to suffer broken bones as the result of an accident.
Hitting the ground hard or at an awkward angle, making contact with a car or another object, or being forced into an unnatural position can easily break a bone.
A broken bone can occur anywhere in the body, but the upper and lower extremities are most at risk. Broken ribs and collar bones are also very common in motorcycle accidents.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord is one of the most sensitive and vital parts of the body.
When the spinal cord is injured, the results can be catastrophic, causing permanent or partial paralysis, or even death.
An injury to the spinal cord occurs when the spinal column is disturbed. This can happen if a motorcycle lands on his or her neck or back, if an object pierces the motorcyclist's back, or if the motorcyclist is crushed between two objects.
If the spinal cord is completely severed, complete paralysis from the injury site down will likely occur.
If the cord is only partially severed, partial paralysis from the injury site down is likely.
There is currently no treatment to fix a spinal cord injury, although scientists are optimistic that advances in research will one day make a recovery possible.
Internal Injuries
If your body is hit with enough force, or a broken bone injury is severe enough, the internal organs of the body may be damaged or punctured.
In turn, this can result in internal bleeding. Internal bleeding can occur in many different areas of the body, is often very painful, and is extremely dangerous.
Internal injuries are dangerous because you can't detect them with the naked eye. If left untreated, it is not uncommon for an internal injury to result in death.
If You've Been Injured In A Motorcycle Accident, Seek Legal Help
Motorcycle accidents can't always be avoided.
If you're ever injured in a motorcycle accident, seeking legal help from experienced lawyers will be key to receiving the compensation you deserve.
If you've recently been injured in a motorcycle accident, the team at Helping The Hurt can help you through the entire process.
For a free consultation with Helping The Hurt, click the button below.
