Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

When the force and weight of a car, truck, or other vehicle strikes a motorcycle rider, even wearing a helmet and body protection is unlikely to completely prevent injuries. Most motorcycle accidents result in serious injuries, especially if the rider is thrown from the bike. Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries carry a lifetime of complications. Be sure you speak with a Nashville motorcycle accident attorney from Selvidge Injury Law following a crash.

Most Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries and the loss of life. In a matter of seconds, a rider may be down, facing injuries like the following:

• Head injuries: Blows to the head can cause a skull fracture, while the rapid back-and-forth movement of the head can lead to concussions of various levels of severity.
• Spinal cord injuries: High-impact accidents like this often cause drivers to be thrown from their bikes, often resulting in partial or total paralysis. Other injuries to the spine may include disc damage and nerve impaction, resulting in serious pain.
• Leg injuries: The lower extremities are particularly vulnerable in an accident like this. Broken bones, shattered knees, and soft tissue injuries, including lacerations or road rash burns, are common. Many will suffer limitations on mobility, amputations, nerve damage, and scarring.
• Upper extremity injuries: Broken arms and dislocated shoulders are common. Some may also suffer biker’s arm, a condition in which there is nerve damage resulting in limited motion and loss of mobility.
• Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma to the body can lead to numerous organ injuries, internal bleeding, and muscle damage in the torso and midsection. Many of these injuries take time to become evident, creating particularly worrisome risks after an accident.
• Neck injuries: The rapid back-and-forth movement of the head can cause whiplash and other tendon and ligament damage to the neck, as well as ongoing complications and pain.
• Road rash: This condition results in serious skin damage and shearing as a person’s body lands on the ground. Even with protective clothing, asphalt and gravel can cause serious skin injury.

Additional injuries may include amputations to arms, legs, hands, feet, and digits. Some people also suffer significant facial injuries, loss of vision, or damage to the eyes, and crushing injuries. Chest injuries can occur, leading to lung damage.

Injured in a motorcycle accident in Nashville?

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Mental Health Complications

Another of the most common injuries after a motorcycle accident is to the victim’s mental health. Emotional trauma from the experience can be significant and highly debilitating. It can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and intense anxiety. It is critical to seek help for mental health needs after an accident like this as well.

Fatalities in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents often involve fatalities. Data shared by the National Safety Council indicates that death rates have increased 36% in the last 10 years. Also notable is how much more common these fatalities are. Motorcycles make up about 3% of registered vehicles on the road, but they account for 15.5% of all traffic-related fatalities. This demonstrates just how severe injuries can be.

Set Up a Free Consultation If You Have Injuries

If you suffered a motorcycle accident that resulted from the mistakes of others, our legal team at Selvidge Injury Law wants to hear about it. Set up a free case evaluation with us now. Let our personal injury attorney provide you with insight into your rights for fair compensation.