Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney

Motorcycle riders are more exposed than people in cars and more likely to suffer serious injuries or death if they are in an accident. If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle crash, you need an experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney to help you get everything you are entitled to in an accident claim or lawsuit. At the law firm of Raynes & Lawn, we have been securing substantial financial compensation for accident crash victims for more than 50 years. If you were injured in a collision with a negligent driver, we will fight for your rights and will hold the negligent driver responsible for the harm you have suffered. Our experience and dedication can get you the results you need to compensate for your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

The most common injuries that motorcycle riders sustain in accidents include:

Injuries to the Trunk

Injuries to the chest (also called “thoracic injuries”) and abdomen are common in motorcycle accidents and are especially damaging to older riders. The most common chest injury from a motorcycle crash is a fracture of one or more ribs. Along with broken ribs, there may be other serious injuries in the chest and abdomen, including injuries to internal organs. When severe, these injuries carry a high risk of complications and death.

Injuries of the Lower Extremities

Injuries to the legs, ankles, and feet are common in motorcycle accidents. These may occur when a rider’s leg gets caught between the motorcycle and the road or a fixed objective, which can cause injuries ranging from fracture dislocations to mangling of the extremities. Foot injuries may also occur if the rider’s foot gets caught in the wheel spokes, which can cause severe soft-tissue injuries that may even require amputation. Rollovers, where the motorcycle falls on the rider’s legs, can cause fractures. Other lower-extremity injuries include lacerations and ligament damage.

Road Rash

Road rash occurs when a rider is dragged along the ground, and the skin that contacts the road surface gets scraped away. Road rash can be mild, moderate, or severe. People with road rash need medical attention because the area can get infected. Severe road rash may require skin grafts. Motorcycle riders can protect themselves against road rash by wearing protective clothing, including pants made of leather or another heavy material and by wearing boots.

Head Injuries

Head injuries are common, occurring in 10% to 50% of motorcycle accidents. They are the most common cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Head injuires often occur when the impact of collisions throw riders off their bikes. Injuries to the head include cuts, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury is one of the worst injuries someone can get in a motorcycle accident. Moderate and severe TBI can cause personality changes and problems with speaking, memory, and balance. Someone with TBI may need expensive long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation services. Severe TBI can put a person into a coma or cause death. Wearing a helmet is the most important way to prevent traumatic brain injuries. Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit will help a TBI patient or loved one get the financial compensation they need to deal with the ongoing costs of this serious injury.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries may be accompanied by spinal cord injuries. These can cause permanent damage, including paralysis. Financial losses for spinal cord injury patients include the need for extensive medical treatment and substantial lost wages. A lawsuit can help recover those costs and losses.

Neck Injuries

Neck injuries from motorcycle accidents include whiplash and bone fractures.

Injuries to the Upper Extremities

When riders who are thrown from their motorcycles extend their arms, in an instinctive attempt to protect themselves, they may fracture their forearms. Shoulder and other upper extremity injuries may occur if a rider’s shoulder hits a pole or other fixed object at high speed. Thumb injuries may occur if a rider grips the handlebar to brace against an impact.

Pelvic Injuries

Injuries to the pelvis may occur when a motorcycle hits an object and comes to an abrupt stop, and the rider is thrown against the fuel tank. This can cause injuries to the bladder or, if the impact is more severe, fractures of the pelvis.

Motorcycle Accident Injuries Can Change Your Life

Injuries from motorcycle accidents, unfortunately, are often severe. They may require extensive medical treatments, including surgeries, medication, and rehabilitation. Moderate and severe injuries may force people to take time off work, just when they need more money to pay medical bills. In some cases, they may never be able to work again.

Some expenses due to an injury, such as medical costs, are tangible and easy to put into numbers. Other effects of the accident, such as pain and suffering, disability, and disfigurement, may seem more abstract. Both types of losses, however, deserve compensation. Pursuing a motorcycle accident injury lawsuit is the best way to recover full compensation for both your increased expenses and all the other types of losses you have suffered that have affected your quality of life.

The motorcycle accident team at Raynes & Lawn has decades of experience evaluating and pursuing cases involving accidents that cause severe injuries. We are dedicated to achieving outstanding results for our clients. Contact us to find out how we can help you.

Find a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Near Me

A severe injury sustained in an accident is a sudden, unexpected event that instantly turns people’s lives upside down. At the Raynes & Lawn law firm, we understand the devastation that injuries can cause, both to the injured person and to their family. We work tirelessly to obtain fair compensation for our clients, while holding the defendants responsible for their negligence. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorney. Fill out our simple contact form, or call us at (800) 535-1797. We’ll give you a free case evaluation to help you understand your legal rights and options.

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