Even though motorcycles make up only 3% of registered vehicles in the United States, motorcyclists made up 14% of all traffic fatalities, 17% of all occupant fatalities, and 3% of all occupant injuries in 2021.
Motorcycle and passenger fatalities increased by 8% from 2020 to 2021 despite the rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled decreasing by 2%. The size and design of motorcycles make them inherently dangerous to operate on the road with regular-sized vehicles.
Along with fatalities, the number of nonfatal injuries in motorcycle accidents increased by 5% from 2020 to 2021.
Our team at Silva Injury Law knows the kind of devastating injuries motorcycle accidents can inflict on riders, along with the turmoil and suffering their families can endure due to those injuries.
We help individuals who suffer injuries in motorcycle accidents recover compensation from the person who caused their accident.
Get in touch with our team now to arrange a meeting.
Types of Motorcycle Injuries
Motorcyclists can suffer a range of different injuries in a collision. The severity of a motorcycle accident injury depends on numerous factors, such as:
- Whether the rider was wearing a helmet,
- The speed of the motorcycle at the time of the crash,
- The speed of other vehicles in the collision, and
- Whether the rider was wearing proper attire.
Our team compiled a list of the most common motorcycle accident injuries below.
Head Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Head and brain injuries can occur in motorcycle accidents, even when motorcyclists and passengers wear a helmet. A brain injury caused by an object penetrating the brain is referred to as a penetrating or open injury.
Brain injuries caused by a sudden impact that makes the brain collide with the skull are known as non-penetrating or closed injuries. Helmet use can protect riders from head injuries in minor collisions.
Helmets are considered 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists and 41% effective for motorcycle passengers.
Head and brain injuries can result in severe consequences that permanently affect your everyday life, including:
- Loss of vision,
- Lack of cognitive capacity,
- Sensory processing issues,
- Lack of motor skills,
- Inability to communicate,
- Behavioral changes,
- Depression or anxiety, or
- Unexplained aggression.
A brain injury can impact your memory, your ability to do your job, and your relationship with family members. Your likelihood of recovery and severity of the injury will determine the amount of compensation you can recover for your brain injury.
Road Rash Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Road rash is one of the most common injuries in motorcycle accidents, especially for riders and passengers who do not utilize proper motorcycling gear.
Road rash is an abrasion wound caused by a body part scraping against a hard surface, such as pavement or asphalt.
Although road rash itself is typically not fatal, it can be extremely painful and is a risk for infection. Treatment for road rash often includes pain management medication and keeping the wound clean. Road rash can happen on any exposed part of your body, including your hands, arms, legs, and face.
Spinal Cord Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
A spinal cord injury occurs when any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal sustain damage. A spinal cord injury can affect a person’s strength, mobility, and other bodily functions. Severe spinal cord injuries can even cause total paralysis.
Currently, there are no proven methods to reverse spinal cord damage. Therefore, treatment options for someone with a spinal cord injury include:
- Pain management strategies,
- Learning how to use a wheelchair or other assistive device,
- Learning to use a communication device,
- Occupational therapy geared toward fine motor skills, and
- Coping strategies to deal with constant pain.
Treatment for spinal cord injuries is a costly and exhausting undertaking. An attorney can help you determine if another person is liable for those expenses.
Leg Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
Leg injuries in motorcycle accidents can happen when a rider or passenger’s leg is pulled beneath the wheel of the motorcycle or another vehicle during a crash. This can inflict significant damage to the leg or foot of the rider by damaging the outer layer of skin or harming the bones in the leg.
Additionally, leg injuries can occur from a full-sized vehicle striking a motorcycle from the side, crushing the rider’s leg between the vehicle and the motorcycle. The opposing vehicle can scrape or cut the rider’s leg and cause them to crash their motorcycle.
When someone crashes a motorcycle, their first instinct may be to try to stand up, even though their body is traveling at the same speed as their motorcycle. The sudden impact between the motorcyclist’s legs and the ground can cause bones within the legs to fracture.
Leg injuries can impact basic aspects of your life, like your ability to walk, run, or drive a vehicle. Depending on the severity of your leg injury, it may require multiple surgeries along with physical therapy to fully recover.
Other Motorcycle Crash Injuries
The examples provided above offer a non-exhaustive list of common injuries endured in a motorcycle accident. Other injuries may include:
- Arm or hand injuries,
- Internal injuries,
- Abdominal injuries, and
- Burns.
Our team can gather medical reports to learn the full extent of your injuries so we know the level of compensation needed to reimburse you for your losses.
Contact Silva Injury Law Today to Discuss Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need an aggressive and experienced attorney to hold the at-fault party responsible for your losses.
We believe that our duty goes beyond achieving large monetary awards for our clients. We strive first to be decent human beings who seek not to stir up fights, but to solve problems.
At Silva Injury Law, we are committed to obtaining the best results possible for victims injured in motorcycle accidents. We provide each of our clients with high-quality legal services so they can get back on their feet and continue their lives.
Silva Injury Law does not charge injured victims any money upfront to handle their cases. Instead, we will collect a fee if you recover a judgment or settlement for your motorcycle accident claim.
We offer free in-person or remote consultations. Contact our team today to schedule an appointment.