Most Common Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents

The fresh air hitting your face, the smell of nature around you — life doesn’t get much better than being out for a relaxing motorcycle ride. However, this trip can quickly take a dangerous turn if another driver is negligent and hits you while you’re on your motorcycle.

It’s common knowledge that motorcycle drivers are likely to suffer more serious injuries when involved in an accident with a larger vehicle. Though, some of the injuries sustained may surprise some people.

Traumatic Brain Injury

This is one of the most common and severe injuries a motorcycle rider can sustain. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a blow or jolt to the head causes damage to the brain. TBI can result in physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes.

Learn more about TBIs and motorcycle crashes here.

Internal Body Injuries

An internal body injury is an injury that occurs to the organs inside the body. Internal body injuries can range from mild to severe. Mild internal injuries may cause temporary pain or discomfort while severe internal injuries can lead to organ damage, bleeding, and death.

Several factors can contribute to the severity of an internal injury, including:

How quickly and the type of object that hit the body;
The age and health of the person; and,
If a seatbelt or helmet was worn.

Upper and Lower Body Injuries

An upper-body injury is an injury that occurs to the head, neck, or shoulders. A lower-body injury is an injury that occurs to the legs, feet, or hips.

Someone who sustains an injury to their upper or lower body will have similar pain as described with internal body injuries.

Spine Injuries

A spine injury is an injury that occurs to the spinal cord or the bones of the spine. Motorcyclists who suffer a spine injury are more likely to be paralyzed than those who do not wear a helmet.

Lacerations

A laceration is when an individual endures a deep cut or tear in their skin. This is why motorcyclists are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, protective boots, and other protective clothing to avoid the possibility of a laceration should they fall off their motorcycle.

One of the most common types of lacerations motorcyclists receive is called road rash. This is when the skin rubs or scrapes against a rough surface.

While some lacerations can be treated with topical ointment and bandages, more severe lacerations can lead to heavy bleeding and death.

Internal Bleeding

Any bleeding that occurs inside someone’s body is known as internal bleeding. Severe internal bleeding can lead to organ damage, shock, and death.

Fractures and Dislocations

A fracture is a break in a bone whereas a dislocation is when a bone is out of place. Both of these types of injuries can require surgery or rehab as part of the recovery process.

Preventing Injuries

While not all injuries can be prevented, there are precautions motorcyclists can take to keep themselves safer on the road. Those actions include:

Wearing a properly fitting motorcycle helmet;
Wearing protective clothing;
Following the rules of the road;
Driving sober;
Driving defensively;
Avoiding road hazards;
Taking all required motorcycle driving classes; and,
Performing regular motorcycle maintenance to ensure the vehicle is working correctly.

Were You Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcycle accidents typically have tragic outcomes as motorcyclists are incredibly vulnerable on their bikes. If you were injured while on a motorcycle and the accident was caused by a negligent driver, the personal injury attorneys at The Roth Firm, LLC are here for you. Our dedicated team will review your case and share which action is best for your situation.