Motorcycles can be one of the most enjoyable ways to get around. You may love the wind in your hair and the rush of the road below you, but the dangers of motorcycle crashes can cause very serious injuries. Without the protection of seatbelts, car seats, and the crumple zones of a car, motorcycle accident injuries could be even worse than car accident injuries. Learning about some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries can help you learn about the best ways to stay safe on a motorcycle.
If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident, talk to an attorney today. Fayetteville, Arkansas motorcycle accident lawyer Ken Kieklak may be able to help with your case. If you were injured, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Do not accept any settlements from the other drivers or insurance companies before talking to an Fayetteville AR personal injury lawyer about what your case is worth.
The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Because a motorcycle does not offer the same protection as a car, riders can face very serious injuries. It is vital to always wear the proper safety equipment when riding a motorcycle. The following injuries can often be prevented or lessened by proper safety gear:
Brain and Head Injuries
The human skull is excellent at protecting the brain from minor bumps and hits, but it cannot protect from high speed collisions. When you do not wear a helmet on a motorcycle, you put yourself at risk of severe skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Mild TBI – more commonly known as a concussion – can leave you unconscious, nauseas, and may have cognitive effects. Repeated concussions can cause severe problems over time. More severe TBI, however, can easily kill you or change your life, permanently. Victims of traumatic brain injury often have trouble performing physical activities like walking or standing, may have memory problems or trouble recognizing people and objects, and may suffer from mood swings and personality changes.
Always wear a sturdy, protective helmet when riding a motorcycle. A full-face helmet offers the best protection. Even though Arkansas law only requires riders under the age of 21 to wear a helmet, it is always a good idea to protect your head.
Road Rash
When you are involved in a crash, there is nothing to protect you from the road other than your clothes and protective gear. With protective motorcycle leathers, you may be able to avoid some of the effects of road rash. Without this protection, there is little to stop the road from causing deep, bleeding abrasions against your skin. Your hands are also especially susceptible to road rash if you try to brace yourself, so always wear motorcycle gloves.
The amount of tissue damage you suffer depends on a few factors. If you are traveling at higher speeds, you could lose a significant amount of skin – and even muscle – to road rash. If the bike falls on top of you during a crash, this can force you down harder against the pavement, increasing the tissue damage.
Leg Injuries
Whether you suffer road rash injuries or worse, your legs are quite vulnerable to serious injury. When your legs are positioned to either side of the bike, there is little protection from side-impact crashes, and little protection from having your leg pinned under the bike if you fall sideways. Many times, this means crushing injuries and broken bones. In even worse cases of sudden, severe side-impacts, you could suffer amputation injuries.
Jeans are not always sufficient protection for your legs. Motorcycle leathers provide a much stronger protection against abrasions and other surface injuries. To protect against impact, armored motorcycle pants offer the best protection.
Arm Injuries
Like your legs, your arms have virtually no protection. On top of this, you are likely to fall on your arms in an attempt to brace yourself. If you can brace yourself, you may still suffer severe injuries if you hit the ground too hard or your arms buckle while bracing against the handlebars. The injuries you suffer in your elbows and shoulders can be extremely painful and require intense physical therapy. Beyond this, simple and severe breaks in your wrists and forearms are both common in motorcycle accidents. Once again, proper safety gear can help protect you in case of a crash.
Neck, Back, and Spinal Injuries
One of the most common injuries for any auto accident are injuries to the neck, back, and spine. Whiplash is a common injury, inflicted when your head suddenly whips back and forth during an accident. A protective collar or a well-fitting helmet may help restrict your movement and prevent whiplash.
Falling off a motorcycle offers unique opportunities for injury. If you land on your back or tailbone, you could severely damage your back and spine. The bones of your spinal cord work to protect you from spinal cord injury. If these are shattered or put out of alignment, you could damage the fragile nerves of your spinal cord. This can cause numbness, loss of motor function, or even total paralysis below the point of injury. A skilled Arkansas spinal cord injury attorney may help you recover for medical expenses or other damages after a spine injury.
Motorcycle Injury Attorneys
Arkansas motorcycle accident attorney Ken Kieklak can help you fight for compensation if you were injured in a motorcycle accident. If you or a loved one were involved in a similar accident, such as an ATV accident, it is imperative to contact an experienced Arkansas ATV accident attorney today. Insurance companies often give low settlement offers that won’t satisfy your needs. Your only option for full compensation may be to file a lawsuit for your injuries. For a free consultation on your case and to learn what damages you might be entitled to, call our office today at (479) 316-0438.