Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycles are one of the more popular options to get around the Nashville area, and motorcyclists have as much of a right to be on the road as other drivers in larger cars and trucks.
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are growing in number almost annually, and as a result, more victims are suffering devastating injuries. The injury risk for motorcyclists is much higher than for other motorists on the road due to the exposed nature of the vehicle, with little protection from the environment.
Common motorcycle accident causes include speeding, alcohol use, distracted driving, failure to pay attention, and road conditions. These collisions can result in common injuries suffered or even motorcycle fatalities.
At Mitch Grissim & Associates, our team of personal injury attorneys is here to advocate for your claims if you have been injured in a motorcycle accident. Call or contact the office today to schedule a free case evaluation where we can answer any questions you may have.
With motorcycle accidents, common injuries that can occur should always be given the necessary medical care after the incident.
Most Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes can result in various types of physical damage, from non-fatal motorcycle injuries like cuts and bruises to a more serious injury that could require surgery or lead to permanent disability. While older riders are at a greater risk of damaging internal organs or needing intense medical attention after an accident than every other age group, all motorcyclists could experience accident injuries that need medical attention.
Here are a few of the most common motorcycle accident injuries.
Head Injuries & Facial Trauma
Some of the most common injuries seen in a motorcycle accident are head and facial injuries, even when a motorcyclist and their passenger are wearing safety helmets. These can occur when a motorcyclist’s head or face is struck by the other vehicle, the roadway, or a stationary object near the crash like a utility pole or tree.
A head injury or facial trauma can include skull fractures, traumatic brain injuries, fractured jaw, missing teeth, a broken nose, and lacerations to the face. Head trauma can be extremely dangerous for your long-term health and is a common motorcycle injury, so if you think your head has been injured in an accident, seek immediate medical attention.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are also common, especially if the motorcyclist is crushed or thrown from their motorcycle. A spinal cord injury occurs when the spinal cord inside the vertebrae of the back is crushed or severed. It can lead to paralysis below the point of injury in addition to other complications.
Due to the lack of protection on a motorcycle, severe injuries sustained by the spine are among the most dangerous for bikers.
Broken Bones
Bone fractures or breaks are also common injuries in motorcycle accidents. Broken bones often occur because of the lack of protection that a motorcyclist has from the impact of the other vehicle. The force of the crash is enough to break bones in the head, face, neck, arms, shoulders, and legs, and even result in broken ribs.
Depending on the type of break, medical treatment can range from a simple cast to multiple surgeries that require metal pins and plates to set the bones.
Lacerations and Road Rash
Lacerations and road rash are also common even when a motorcyclist is wearing the proper gear for riding. Lacerations are another word for cuts that can happen in an accident, sometimes resulting in permanent scarring if severe enough.
Oftentimes, motorcycle lacerations are caused by shattered glass or broken parts of a vehicle. Road rash is a friction burn that causes painful skin abrasions when the skin scrapes across the roadway after a crash. Road rash must be treated immediately after an accident to avoid serious infections.
Internal Injuries
Finally, motorcycle accidents routinely cause internal injuries that may not be immediately noticeable after a crash. It could take the form of thoracic injuries from blunt force trauma, chest injuries, soft tissue injuries, nerve damage, or other traumatic damage. These injuries can potentially be deadly if not treated right away by medical professionals.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Even in a minor collision, suffering from brain injuries that you are unaware of is possible. A concussion or other brain damage that is ignored could lead to horrific consequences in the future, so ask for a specialist to check.
Internal Bleeding
Another injury that can go unnoticed is internal bleeding. Though you may not feel its effects right after the accident, the long-term consequences could be devastating if untreated.
Damaged Organs
Internal injuries can also include punctured, crushed, or ruptured organs. Surgery or other serious medical treatment is often required for internal injuries after a motorcycle accident, so do not neglect a check-up.
Protecting Yourself on a Motorcycle
Though you are exposed as a rider, there are a few ways to look out for your health on the road.
First, wear the appropriate protective gear at all times. Leather clothing, helmets, and protective boots could save your life in the event of a crash, so never leave them at home, no matter how short of a trip you are making.
The health of your bike is also very important. If there are mechanical issues with it, you can either bring it into a shop or file NHTSA reports, which allow you to report potential safety issues with your vehicle.
Additionally, practice defensive driving. While you may be a very safe rider, you cannot always control what other drivers do. The best way to prevent a motorcycle accident from happening is to be especially attentive to what other motorists are doing. Check your mirrors constantly and keep your head on a swivel to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Defensive driving could prevent traumatic motorcycle accident injuries if it gives you even one extra second to react to a situation.
Motorcycle Accidents Create Injured Victims
The unfortunate reality is that many motorcyclists involved in collisions will be unfairly blamed by other drivers. Riders are often seen as more reckless or dangerous due to their portrayal in cultural media such as movies and television. For that reason, an accident could be 100% the fault of another vehicle operator but they could still find a way to place blame on motorcycle riders.
This tension creates a scenario where accident victims could experience injuries from the motorcycle crash, damage to their bike, and blame for the collision that is unjustified.
The truth is that in many cases, other drivers are at fault for the collision. They may have been distracted, not paying enough attention, or failed to check their blindspots before switching lanes.
When you get in touch with our team after a motorcycle accident, we offer a free consultation to discuss your case with you and see if you could file a claim and win compensation.
What Can Motorcycle Accident Victims do?
There is a solution for those injured in a motorcycle to earn justice when hit by a passenger vehicle or other automobile. Whether the victim suffered lower extremity injuries, upper extremity injuries, or anything in between, their best chance may be to file a claim.
Filing a claim is what injury victims can do to pursue fair compensation for damages that resulted from an incident that was someone else’s fault. It allows them to recoup any financial losses that occurred as a result of the motorcycle accident.
These damages can include medical expenses such as a trip to the emergency room to treat accident injuries, lost wages due to an inability to work, pain and suffering of a family member, or other types of losses.
Filing a claim allows you the opportunity to win a settlement to help you get back to everyday life without suffering under the burden of financial ruin from the accident.
Are you still confused about why you would want to file a claim after experiencing motorcycle accident injuries? We offer a free consultation to discuss your case with you, so reach out to us now.
Call or Contact Our Office Today
Have you or a loved one sustained motorcycle injuries in a car accident? If so, you need the experienced Nashville motorcycle accident attorneys at Mitch Grissim & Associates advocating for your claims. We understand your rights under Tennessee law, and we also know how difficult it can be to recover from head and neck injuries, a broken bone, or other accident injuries while dealing with the financial ramifications that you are experiencing.
Our top priority is cherishing the attorney-client relationship, which means protecting your confidential or sensitive information, advocating for your rights, and doing whatever it takes to win on your behalf. We want to help you recover any lost wages or medical expenses due to specific injuries to get you back on your feet.
Call the office or contact us to schedule a free consultation of your case today. On our website, you will find that our contact form sends information to us promptly, so you could always fill that out as well.
