Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Some lucky car accident victims are fortunate enough to walk away from their collisions with only scrapes and bruises, or maybe even with no injuries at all. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case for motorcycle riders, who almost always sustain serious injuries when involved in collisions. In fact, some researchers estimate that around 80 percent of motorcycle accidents result in injuries to the rider. These injuries also tend to affect certain parts of the body, including the chest and abdomen, the lower limbs, the head and neck, and the skin.

Thoracic Injuries

Thoracic (chest) injuries are one of the most common types of injuries sustained by motorcycle riders with the chest largely unprotected from blunt force impact. These injuries include multiple rib fractures, which occur most often in aging riders, due to the angle and density of the ribs. Fractured sternums and collarbones can also occur, as can punctured lungs, pulmonary contusions, and cardiac trauma.

Abdominal Injuries

Abdominal injuries are also common amongst motorcycle accident victims, who often suffer from organ injuries, sometimes because of fractured ribs and other thoracic injuries. Other common abdominal injuries include bruised and lacerated organs, internal injuries, and ruptured organs.

Injuries to the Lower Extremities

The lower portion of the body is also prone to injury in motorcycle accidents. The legs, especially the tibia and fibula tend to be injured most often. Long bone injuries, pelvic ring fractures, and hip fractures are all common. Hip dislocation, for instance, accounts for almost 40 percent of motorcycle-related hip injuries.

Head Injuries

Even motorcycle riders who wear helmets are at risk of serious head trauma, simply due to the unprotected nature of riding, as passengers don’t have the benefit of airbags, seat belts, or even a barrier between themselves and the road. Skull fractures, lacerations, and concussions are all common, as are injuries to the face, like fractured cheekbones and orbitals, dental injuries, and eye damage.

Skin Injuries

Because motorcyclists aren’t restrained or tethered to their vehicles, they are often thrown off their motorcycles entirely when involved in a collision. This puts them at a much higher risk of suffering from skin injuries, like deep scrapes and lacerations. While wearing boots, jackets, and gloves can help prevent these injuries, these precautionary measures aren’t always enough to prevent problems like road rash, which can lead to scarring and muscle damage.

Call Goldman Law, P.A. for Help

Motorcycle accidents tend to be traumatic for riders, who are at risk of suffering much more serious injuries than are occupants of passenger vehicles. Diagnosing and treating these injuries can be prohibitively expensive, making it especially important for injured parties to look into their recovery options, which may involve filing a claim against the at-fault party in court. If you have questions about your own recovery options following a motorcycle crash, feel free to reach out to the dedicated Altamonte Springs motorcycle accident lawyers at Goldman Law, P.A. Get started today by calling us at 407-960-1900 or by sending us an online message.

Sources:

flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2020.pdf

one.nhtsa.gov/people/INJURY/PEDBIMOT/MOTORCYCLE/motorcycle03/index.htm