Bikers across the country are gearing up for riding season right now. Though some people ride their motorcycles all year long, many prefer to wait until warmer, drier weather rolls around to make their trips more enjoyable. As the number of bikes on the roads ramps up in the weeks to come, the number of motorcycle accidents is sure to follow suit.
An estimated 85,000 people are injured in motorcycle accidents each year in the United States with approximately 6,000 fatalities resulting from those crashes. By some accounts, the true annual number of accidents involving motorcycles may actually be as high as 250,000 because many of them go unreported. These crashes can be particularly dangerous since bikers have little protection against vehicles and other hazards, and the injuries common in motorcycle collisions can range from mild to life threatening.
Head Injuries
As you might imagine, head injuries are extremely common in motorcycle accidents. Helmets can protect the skull, brain, and parts of the face against impacts, but they don’t completely eliminate the possibility of trauma. Head injuries can range from relatively minor scrapes and bruises to concussions and traumatic brain injuries. In the case of the latter, the consequences can be life altering. Traumatic brain injuries can take away a person’s cognitive abilities and completely change their personality. Though treatments are available, many people who survive traumatic brain injuries never fully recover.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are also common results of motorcycle crashes. As mentioned, bikers have no protection between themselves and the road, vehicles, and other hazards they may come into contact with in an accident. Because of that, they receive the full brunt of the impact, which makes spinal cord injuries more likely than they are in most other types of accidents. Some are fairly minor and temporary. Others leave their victims with permanent repercussions, such as partial or complete paralysis.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are also typical in motorcycle accidents with those of the legs, arms, hands, and feet being the most common. Of course, broken ribs are also exceedingly commonplace. They can lead to more serious internal damage, including lung, spleen, and liver injuries. Fractured vertebrae are likewise common, and they sometimes cause spinal cord injuries. Motorcycle accidents often result in compound fractures and multiple broken bones.
Road Rash
Road rash is a collective term for the scrapes and cuts that happen when a rider slides along the asphalt after falling off of or being thrown from a motorcycle. This could be considered one of the more minor injuries a person might sustain in this type of accident, but it comes with a few hidden dangers. It’s not uncommon for dirt and germs to get embedded in those scrapes, which greatly increases the risk of infections. At the same time, road rash can leave a person with permanent scars.
Emotional Injuries
Physical injuries receive plenty of attention, but the potential emotional toll of a motorcycle accident shouldn’t be ignored. These crashes often leave people with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Many have nightmares about their accidents for months or even years after the fact, which interrupts their sleep and can make those other issues even worse. Emotional injuries can be just as debilitating as physical ones if not more so.
Recovering After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle crashes can be particularly dangerous. Even relatively minor accidents can result in significant medical bills and lengthy recovery periods. All too often, more serious collisions result in life-long repercussions and loss of life. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, an attorney can help you seek compensation for your injuries and ensure those responsible for them are held accountable. That, in turn, may help you on the road to recovery.
