Motorcycles do not provide riders with the type of protection available in passenger vehicles. For this reason, motorcyclists are at a higher risk of suffering severe injuries from a motor vehicle accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die due to a motorcycle accident than the passenger of a car or truck.
Motorcyclists are five times more likely to suffer injuries than passenger vehicle occupants. Every year, nearly 90,000 motorcyclists suffered serious injuries in motorcycle accidents, and approximately 5,000 motorcycle riders died as the result of collisions. Below are some of the most common types of injuries suffered by those involved in motorcycle accidents.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can be catastrophic. Our spinal cords are sensitive to collisions, and when they become damaged, paralysis can result. Depending on the location of the damage to the spine, an injured victim could suffer from paraplegia or quadriplegia. Those with quadriplegia often require a lifetime of expensive around-the-clock care. Many spinal cord injuries result in permanent disability for the motorcyclist. Because there is no outer shell protecting the motorcyclist, the spinal cord and brain are even more at risk.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
As with the spinal cord, a motorcyclist’s brain is at a high risk of injury caused by accidents. One study conducted by the NHTSA found that of 100,000 motorcyclists who became injured in traffic accidents, 15% of those who were wearing a helmet suffered a traumatic brain injury. Of those who were not wearing a helmet, 21% suffered traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are a leading cause of death among motorcyclists involved in serious collisions.
Internal Injuries
When a person experiences blunt force trauma, his or her organs can become severely damaged, and internal bleeding can result. Many motorcyclists involved in accidents fly off their motorcycles and slam into the hard pavement, causing blunt force trauma. Or, debris from the crash, like broken glass or another object, can slam into their bodies, penetrating the skin and causing internal organ damage. Sometimes, the seriousness of a person’s internal organ damage is not apparent at the accident scene but becomes apparent after a doctor conducts testing. When doctors are unable to get the bleeding or organ damage under control, the injured motorcyclist can pass away as a result.
Road Rash
Even when motorcyclists are wearing all of the proper protective gear, they can still suffer from an injury called road rash. Road rash involves severe skin abrasions that happen when a motorcyclist becomes dragged along the pavement or asphalt. Road rash requires medical treatment, and those who suffer from road rash are at risk for permanent scarring.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered serious personal injuries caused by a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Pulvers Thompson today to schedule your initial consultation.
