Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

While all car accidents should be taken seriously, those involving motorcycles are known for being particularly devastating. This makes sense, as motorcycles are less stable and more vulnerable to poor road and weather conditions, while their lack of seatbelts means that riders are often propelled forward in the event of a crash. For these reasons, motorcycle accident injuries are often severe and can have devastating consequences for victims.

The Risk of Injury

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), it is nearly 30 percent more likely that a motorcyclist will die in a collision than a vehicle occupant. Unfortunately, while being a defensive rider and wearing a helmet can reduce this risk of death by nearly 40 percent, most motorcycle accident victims will still sustain some type of injury. In fact, researchers estimate that as many as 80 percent of motorcycle accidents result in injury.

Head and Neck Injuries

While the risk of brain injuries and skull fractures are lower for motorcyclists who wear helmets, taking these precautionary measures doesn’t guarantee safety. In fact, head and neck injuries are some of the most common injuries suffered by motorcyclists, many of whom are thrown from their motorcycles at high rates of speed and suffer a significant impact upon landing. While whiplash is a common injury for those who are involved in collisions with standard passenger vehicles, the neck injuries sustained by motorcyclists are much more likely to be severe and often involve fractures, nerve damage, and paralysis.

Broken Bones

Injuries to the legs, especially the knees and calves, as well as the ankles and feet are also relatively common amongst motorcycle accident victims, who could be thrown onto other vehicles or even end up trapped beneath their motorcycle. While not often fatal, these kinds of injuries could prove to be permanently disabling, leaving injured parties to suffer with reduced mobility and chronic pain for the rest of their lives. Besides compound leg injuries, motorcyclists are also at risk of sustaining other types of broken bones, including: facial fractures, fractured collar bones, broken ribs, and pelvic fractures.

Chest Injuries

Some of the most devastating injuries that a motorcyclist can sustain in a collision are chest related, as the torso houses the majority of our essential organs. Because of the more significant impact experienced by motorcycle accident victims, chest injuries, like punctured lungs, pulmonary contusions, blunt aortic injuries, and cardiac trauma are more common amongst motorcyclists.

Road Rash

Motorcyclists are also more at risk of suffering deep scrapes and lacerations, which occur after being ejected from a motorcycle onto the asphalt. While wearing riding gear, like boots, gloves, and jackets can help protect a motorcyclist’s skin, they don’t always prevent road rash, which can result in disfiguring scars and even permanent muscle damage.

Consult with an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Please contact the dedicated Fort Lauderdale motorcycle accident lawyers at Boone & Davis to learn more about filing a claim after your own crash. You can reach us by calling 954-566-9919 or by completing one of our online contact forms.