6 Common Types of Injuries A Motorcycle Accident Victim May Sustain

Motorcycle riding can be the most enjoyable and exhilarating activity, but most of the time it causes severe, life-threatening injuries to the victim’s health and well-being. Motorcyclists are more prone to fatalities and injuries than any other road users.

The nature and severity of injuries differ based on various factors, including the driving speed at the accident time, whether the rider was wearing protective gear, and the accident circumstances themselves.

If you sustain any injuries in a motorcycle crash, you must consult a motorcycle accident lawyer who can hold the responsible party accountable and get justice for you.

This article discusses six common types of injuries a victim may suffer in a motorcycle accident.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are life-altering and serious injuries that can result from a motorcycle accident. Spinal cord injuries occur if the rider’s spine is severed, compressed, or twisted due to the motorcycle collision. Mostly, spinal cord injuries may cause

• Complete or partial paralysis
• Loss of bowel control
• Loss of sensation
• Respiratory problems
• Chronic pain
• Loss of bladder control

These kinds of injuries require rehabilitation, long-term medical care, and the expertise of a motorcycle accident lawyer to secure compensation. Sometimes, the damage can be irreversible. So, it is necessary to wear protective gear such as back protectors, vests, and jackets to help prevent or decrease the impact on the spinal cord in a motorcycle accident.

Head Injuries

Brain and head injuries can occur if the motorcyclist’s head hits the ground, an object, or another vehicle. They can cause

• Skull fractures
• Concussions
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Damage to the brain tissue

The victim may experience

• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Memory loss
• Nausea
• Coma
• Speech problems
• Cognitive impairment
• Vision loss

Therefore, wearing a helmet is one of the best ways to prevent or minimize the impact on the head in a motorcycle accident.

Fractures

Fractures occur if the rider’s bones break due to the force of the accident. This kind of injury may affect any part of your body, but some of the most frequently injured areas are the ribs, arms, collarbone, pelvis, and legs.

Fractures may cause

• Swelling
• Pain
• Deformity
• Bruising
• Loss of function.

Based on the location and type of the fracture, the victim may need 

• Extensive treatment
• Splints
• Casts
• Pins
• Surgery.

It is essential to wear protective gear such as knee pads, gloves, elbow pads, and boots to protect the vulnerable parts and joints during a motorcycle accident.

Biker’s Arm

A biker’s arm is a common injury that impacts motorcyclists who are involved in collisions. It is also known as a brachial plexus injury or rider’s arm. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that runs from the neck to the arm, shoulder, and hand. It controls the sensations and movements of the upper limb.

When a motorcyclist falls from their bike, they may immediately use their arm to cushion the impact. This may cause the arm to be crushed under the body’s weight, twisted, or stretched by the force of the accident. This may damage the brachial plexus nerves due to the biker’s arm. Some victims may recover completely within a few months, while others may have chronic pain or a permanent disability.

Psychological Injuries

Psychological injuries are injuries that affect the emotional and mental well-being of the motorcyclist. These kinds of injuries occur when the rider experiences the following after a motorcycle accident:

• Stress
• Trauma
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fear
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

These types of injuries affect the rider’s behavior, mood, work performance, relationships, sleep quality, or quality of life.

Generally, psychological injuries require therapy, counseling, medication, or other types of treatment. It is important to seek professional support and assistance from family members and friends, which can help the rider deal with psychological injuries after a motorcycle accident.

Road Rash

Road rash is a term that refers to the skin injuries that may occur when a motorcycle rider slides or falls on the road surface. Road rash can differ in severity based on the distance, speed, and angle of the fall, the protective gear worn by the rider, or the amount and type of clothing. It may impact any part of the body, but it is more general in the areas that are exposed to or come into contact with the ground, such as the arms, hands, face, feet, and legs.

Road rash may heal in a week or a few months. It may result in nerve damage and minimal or permanent scarring. Keep in mind that road rash is one of the most painful injuries that motorcyclists experience in accidents, and can necessitate the assistance of legal experts in motorcycle accident injury claims if the injured party is rendered unable to work.

Final Thoughts

Recovering from a motorcycle accident can be a painful, long, and expensive process. Most victims are left with disfigurement or permanent disabilities that affect the rest of their lives. In the event that you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle accident, it is necessary to get the assistance of a knowledgeable and experienced motorcycle accident attorney. Legal experts in accident injury claims can provide you with legal options to protect your rights.

Imagesource