Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Riding a motorcycle can be an exhilarating experience, but this activity also comes with risks. Motorcyclists have very little protection if they are involved in an accident, and it is not uncommon for a motorcycle crash to lead to severe injuries. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), nearly 14,000 motorcyclists were injured during the latest reporting year of data we have available for the state. That same year, 488 motorcyclists lost their lives in traffic accidents. Here, we want to discuss some of the most common injuries that motorcyclists sustain in California.

Most common motorcycle accident injuries in California

There are a significant number of injuries that motorcyclists can suffer from in the event a collision occurs. The severity of these injuries usually revolves around the speed of all parties involved at the time of the collision, as well as what type of protective gear the motorcyclist is wearing. Some of the most common injuries motorcyclists sustain include the following:

• Muscle damage. There are more than 600 muscles in the human body, and any of them can be damaged in a traumatic incident. Most motorcycle accident injuries result in muscle sprains as opposed to muscle tears, but the impact of a collision with the vehicle or the impact with the ground can lead to significant muscle damage.
• Foot and leg injuries. A motorcyclist’s feet and legs are often the first places to impact either a vehicle or the ground in the event a collision occurs. Data indicates that lower extremity injuries make up nearly half of all motorcyclist injuries that receive treatment after an accident. This can include severe road rash on the lower extremities, major sprains or strains, and even broken or dislocated bones.
• Biker’s arm. This is a term commonly associated with an arm injury after a motorcycle accident or fall. This term can be used to describe a multitude of incidents that can occur, including muscle injuries, tendon injuries, deep bruising, fractures or dislocations, severe lacerations, and more. These injuries are typically associated with the inclination a person may have to put their hands and arms forward to brace themselves when they are falling.
• Head injuries. Head and brain injuries can occur even if a motorcyclist is wearing a helmet. However, helmets have been proven to greatly reduce the chances of a severe brain or head injury in the event a motorcycle accident occurs. Head injuries can range from relatively minor concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries that alter a motorcyclist’s life forever.
• Facial injuries. Helmets can also prevent major facial injuries from occurring. A motorcycle collision can lead to significant lacerations, bruising, or facial fractures that lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Spinal injuries. Spinal cord injuries are much more likely to occur in a motorcycle collision than any other type of vehicle accident. Spinal cord trauma can lead to various types of paralysis, including partial paralysis (tetraplegia) or complete paralysis (quadriplegia).
• Emotional injury. Not all motorcycle accident injuries are necessarily visible on the surface. The emotional and psychological trauma sustained by a motorcycle accident victim can be significant and affect the everyday life of a victim. Emotional and psychological trauma can be caused by the accident itself as well as the subsequent injuries.

Victims of motorcycle accidents must seek medical care as soon as possible so they can be treated for their injuries. Any person who sustains an injury caused by the careless or negligent actions of another individual should be entitled to receive compensation for what happened. Speak to an Orange County motorcycle accident lawyer to review your case for free.