How a Motorcycle Ride Can Lead to Catastrophic Injuries

 Posted on November 15, 2022 in Personal Injury

Hitting the road with the air on your face is a one-of-a-kind experience for motorcycle riders. But the reality is that motorcycle injury rates increased by ten percent between 2019 and 2020. Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than a car passenger to die in a crash and four times more likely to be injured. These motorcycle catastrophic injury accidents can leave you facing everything from amputation to traumatic brain injuries, and they can certainly be fatal. They can harm the most experienced motorcyclists because often others fail to be safe on the roads.

Common Injuries Sustained by Motorcyclists

Some motorcycle injuries can permanently impact your ability to work and care for your children. Motorcycle accident injuries can result in serious bodily harm even at low speeds, compared to injuries suffered by people driving other types of vehicles. 

The most common injury in a motorcycle accident is head trauma including traumatic brain injury. These injuries typically occur because the rider is thrown from the bike with their head hitting the pavement with severe force. That is why wearing a helmet is critical. Other types of injuries that motorcyclists can experience in a collision include the following: 

• Spinal cord injuries, such as nerve damage and paralysis
• Neck and back injuries, including herniated and ruptured discs
• Amputations, if extremities are severely damaged or amputated in the accident
• Road rash, if the rider suffers cuts when coming into contact with the pavement
• Internal organ damage
• Significant disfigurement
• Broken bones
• Deep lacerations
• Soft tissue injuries
• Wrongful death

Dangers for Motorcyclists on the Roads

A motorcyclist obviously does not have the same protection as someone in a vehicle. A motorcyclist is more exposed to the surrounding elements making him or her more vulnerable on the road for some of the following reasons: 

• Visibility – Given the size of motorcycles, they are sometimes not easily visible to other motorists. It is very easy for the driver of a car to fail to notice a motorcycle and crash with the bike as it makes a left turn.
• Stability – The fact that motorcycles are smaller than most cars makes them less stable. No matter how experienced you may be, staying upright and handling roads that are in disrepair can be tricky.
• Road Hazards – Poorly marked lanes, loose gravel, potholes, and other road hazards increase the risk of injuries and even death.
• Head-on Collisions – A head-on crash with a vehicle is obviously dangerous, even more so if the car is going the wrong way and the motorcyclist has little time to react.
• Additional Factors – Speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving are also commonly contributing factors in a motorcycle crash.

Contact a Cook County Motorcycle Injury Lawyer

If you have been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash you may be entitled to compensation. At Barrington Injury Attorneys a Barrington motorcycle injury accident lawyer will review your case and explain your legal rights. Call 224-900-HURT for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/motorcycles/