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HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL
(877) 880-4090Riding a motorcycle is a thrilling experience that most bike owners genuinely enjoy. However, it comes with its share of hazards. According to the CDC, more than 5,500 motorcyclists died while riding, and more than 180,000 required treatment for injuries in emergency departments in 2020.
The fact is motorcycle riders are more susceptible to injury if they are involved in a crash. Those injuries can be severe, even in a relatively minor accident. Even with the proper safety gear such as a helmet, leather jacket, chaps and non-slip gloves, you are out in the open, exposed to the elements and pavement.
As the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration points out, every motorcycle accident is violent. If you are in a crash, you have an 80% chance of being injured or even killed.
When you think of motorcycle accident injuries, you probably think of head injuries immediately. Head and brain injuries can be traumatic, affecting the whole body.
Head injuries can range from mild to severe. They can be temporary or long-lasting. Some common head injuries include:
Head injuries can lead to various symptoms: memory loss, reduced motor skills, depression and anxiety, mood swings, seizures, poor concentration, and many more.
Injuries resulting from spinal cord damage vary according to where the injury occurs. The four areas of the spine are:
Spinal cord injuries can also be complete or incomplete. A complete injury causes permanent damage such as paralysis. An incomplete injury causes partial damage to the spinal cord, and the severity level can vary.
While the name doesn’t sound that bad — the word “rash” implies a minor skin irritation — road rash after a motorcycle accident is anything but minor. A friction abrasion happens when a rider slides or drags along the pavement. It can lead to infection and scarring.
It’s easy to see how you can break bones in a bike accident. The force of your body hitting the pavement, an object or your bike can cause fractures in your arms, legs, ribs, collarbone, vertebrae and other areas.
The severity of a broken bone depends on which bones you break. Even arm and leg bone fractures can leave lasting effects for life, often causing aches and pains when the weather changes.
Analysis from the National Trauma Data Bank indicates that lower-extremity injuries are the most common in motorcycle crashes, while abdominal, chest and head injuries tend to be more severe. Lower-extremity injuries affected 47% of accident patients in the analysis.
Lower-extremity injuries include the following areas:
Leg injuries are the most common, and most of them are bone fractures. Soft-tissue injuries to the lower extremities are less common. Other types of injuries can include:
The good news is that according to the analysis, 81% of patients with just lower-extremity injuries were able to go home after hospital care.
Looking at all the statistics associated with motorcycle accidents and injuries can be scary. However, there are many steps you can take as a rider to avoid a crash in the first place. Safe, defensive riding is the best way to prevent an accident.
Every state requires a motorcycle endorsement to supplement your driver’s license. Unfortunately, that fact doesn’t stop some improperly licensed riders from getting on a bike. The NHTSA reports that in 2020, 36% of fatal motorcycle crashes involved improperly licensed riders.
Most states require riders to pass skills tests on the motorcycle and in writing. Some also require you to take a rider education class. Obtaining the proper licensure isn’t about wasting your time or charging unnecessary fees. It offers the opportunity to learn valuable riding skills that help you ride safely and defensively.
Also, consider this: If you are in an accident and don’t have a motorcycle endorsement, the opposing legal entities and insurance companies can argue that you were at least partially at fault. In other words, you won’t be doing yourself any favors by riding without proper licensure.
You can safeguard your ride by ensuring your bike is road-ready before a trip. Inspect the systems on your motorcycle, such as:
Your helmet is a critical piece of safety equipment. According to the CDC, helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%. Always wear one when riding. Make sure your helmet meets the U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards.
Cover your arms and legs with leather or heavy denim jackets and chaps. Motorcycle boots should go above the ankle. Wear nonslip gloves while riding to protect your hands and ensure a secure grip.
It is a good idea to wear bright, reflective clothing while riding. Some drivers, especially those who don’t ride a bike themselves, don’t look for motorcycles while driving. Your bright clothing can help them see you on the road.
It may seem basic, but it’s vital to follow traffic rules while riding:
Also, ride defensively at all times. Assume other drivers cannot see you and act appropriately.
It should go without saying: Don’t get on the bike if you are under the influence. It happens quicker than you may realize — alcohol can be measured in your system 30-70 minutes after you have a drink.
Drugs, even some prescription medications, and alcohol can hamper your reaction time and awareness. They can interfere with your coordination, balance and judgment. Always read the warning labels on your prescription medicines and consider how they may affect your riding ability.
If you’re injured in a motorcycle crash, you don’t have to handle the situation alone. The motorcycle accident attorneys at Fielding Law can assist you with your insurance claim. We work to get you the compensation you deserve. Call the office of Fielding Law today and see how we can help.