6 Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycles offer no protection to riders in the event of a crash. There is often nothing except a helmet to prevent motorcyclists from experiencing the full impact of an accident. Riders can be thrown from a motorcycle or pinned beneath it. Virtually any part of the body can be injured depending on the circumstances of the crash.
There are a number of variables that affect the type and severity of injuries received in a motorcycle accident, including driver behavior, vehicle speed at impact, the size and weight of the other vehicle, road conditions, and weather. The following 6 Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries:
1. Fatal Injuries
The chances of sustaining injuries that cannot be survived are significantly greater when crashing on a motorcycle. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), motorcycles make up only about three percent of the registered vehicles on the roadways, but motorcycle accidents result in 14 percent of all traffic fatalities.
In 2021, motorcycle fatalities across the U.S. reached a 22-year high of 5,932. California had the second most fatal motorcycle accidents in the country with 565, behind Florida which had 651. Most motorcycle fatalities involve another vehicle and occur in urban areas. Weather is not usually a factor, and about as many fatal accidents are likely to happen during daylight hours as at night.
2. Head and Brain Injuries
Trauma to the head is a considerable risk in motorcycle accidents, which is why many states require motorcycle riders to wear approved helmets. Wearing a helmet helps protect the head from blunt force trauma, but it may not prevent a brain injury.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be a closed head injury and happens from a force that causes the brain to slam against the skull, damaging tissue. A brain injury can be mild, moderate, or severe. A mild brain injury is like a bruise to the brain. Concussions are usually considered mild brain injuries. The traditional treatment is rest.
Symptoms of a brain injury after a motorcycle accident include:
- Headache
- Confusion and trouble with memory or concentration
- Becoming dizzy or lightheaded
- Blurry vision
- Feeling tired or sleepy
- Unusual sensitivities
- Nausea
- Loss of coordination
Loss of consciousness often accompanies moderate to severe brain injuries. These brain injuries need immediate medical attention to assess secondary symptoms that can create life-threatening conditions if not treated. More severe brain injuries can cause inflammation, swelling, seizures, blood clots, stroke, and coma.
When the brain is injured – even mildly – there can be short to long-term impairment of brain function depending on the severity and location of the injury. Research also shows TBI has a degenerative effect on brain cells over time and may increase the likelihood of developing degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease.
How Helmet Use Affects Head Injuries
Until recently, California required all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets manufactured according to U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) safety standards.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) says if you are wearing a USDOT-compliant motorcycle helmet, you are three times more likely to survive a head injury. When motorcycle accidents occur at speeds of 30 mph or less, wearing a USDOT-compliant helmet can reduce the frequency and severity of head injuries by 50 percent.
In September 2023, the California Legislature passed an exception (SB-847) to the state’s helmet laws authorizing the California Highway Patrol to certify helmets that do not comply with USDOT standards but are designed to comply with a motorcycle operator’s or passenger’s religious beliefs or practices.
3. Spinal Cord Injuries
The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) reports that motor vehicle accidents are still the leading cause of traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI). Most SCI occurs at the level of the cervical spine (above the shoulders) and results in incomplete or non-permanent impairment of function below the level of the injury.
In motorcycle accidents specifically, spinal cord injuries to the operator or passenger are more likely to occur at the level of the thoracic spine (mid back) and are more likely to be complete – resulting in permanent loss of function.
The life expectancy for persons with spinal cord injuries remains significantly below that of persons without SCI. Persons with SCI are more likely to succumb to respiratory diseases and septicemia (blood poisoning).
4. Chest and Abdomen Injuries
Injuries to the chest and abdomen can result in broken ribs and damage to internal organs. Damage to blood vessels can cause internal bleeding, which can be fatal. Some symptoms of internal damage may include:
- Headache
- Becoming dizzy or lightheaded
- Trouble breathing
- Pain or swelling of the abdomen
- Skin discoloration
5. Lower Extremity Injuries
The legs and feet of motorcycle riders are the most frequently injured body parts when accidents occur. In fact, the CDC found that 30 percent of all non-fatal motorcycle injuries in the United States involved the rider’s (or passenger’s) lower extremities. Legs may hit other objects, be crushed, or be dragged across pavement, causing fractures and tissue damage. In addition to the legs, the pelvis, knees, thighs, and ankles can also be injured and these injuries are also considered lower extremity injuries after a motorcycle collision. Injuries to lower extremities may require amputation in extreme cases.
6. Upper Extremity Injuries
Upper extremity injuries are also fairly common. A study done on motorcycle crashes and upper extremity trauma found that close to 54 percent of persons who crashed on a motorcycle sustained upper extremity injuries. The majority of the injuries were fractures to the forearm or hand. Broken arm, elbows, and fingers are the common result of a motorcycle accident in California.
Legal Help for Your Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accident injuries can be severe and life-changing. Motorcyclists who are injured by other drivers are entitled to compensation. At Curtis Legal Group, our personal injury lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience. We know each of our clients’ situations is unique and that during this stressful time you need someone you can trust. A free consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer at Curtis Legal Group can help.