Motorcycle riders lack protection, which can leave them vulnerable in the event of an accident. Many times, motorcycle riders experience serious and life-threatening injuries if they are hurt in a motorcycle accident.
With decades of experience helping personal injury victims, Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak’s seasoned motorcycle accident lawyers in South Bend have seen firsthand how debilitating these injuries can be. We are committed to helping accident victims recover maximum compensation for the damages they suffered, including property damage, lost wages, medical expenses, and pain or suffering.
Below, we discuss some of the most common injuries motorcycle accident victims suffer during a crash. To learn more about your legal options after a motorcycle accident, contact our South Bend personal injury lawyers to schedule a free, no obligation consultation.
1. Head Injuries
There are a variety of head injuries that a person can suffer in a motorcycle accident. Some head injuries are open head wounds in which an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain.
In other injuries, there is no penetration but there is still damage to the skull or brain. Some common head injuries caused by motorcycle accidents include:
- Concussion – A concussion occurs when a person’s head jolts back and forth, such as during an auto accident. Symptoms of a concussion include headaches, nausea, dizziness and problems with speech. Long-term brain damage can occur if you do not get medical treatment or suffer another concussion in the future.
- Traumatic brain injury – A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a jolt or impact to the head. These injuries are very serious and can result in changes to your personality, vision, hearing, concentration, memory, emotions, reasoning or thinking. Serious TBIs often result in permanent disability.
- Hematoma – Hematoma occurs when a blood clot forms between the skull and the brain or its tissues. A hematoma may cause severe brain damage and can be fatal.
- Countercoup – This brain injury occurs when the brain hits the skull. A countercoup may cause you to experience difficulty concentrating, balancing, being coordinated and having normal memory function.
2. Spinal Cord Injuries
A motorcycle rider may suffer from various forms of spinal cord injuries, including a complete spinal cord injury, an incomplete spinal cord injury or spinal stenosis. These injuries can result in the loss of motor function, sensory function, numbness, weakness, pain and permanent paralysis.
3. Bone Fractures
Motorcycle riders are also susceptible to bone fractures. Your leg may be crushed or broken if the bike falls over, or your arms or wrists may also get broken during the accident.
4. Rider’s Arm
Biker’s arm is a condition unique to motorcycle accidents. It occurs during the initial impact of a motorcycle accident when the rider attempts to use his or her arms for protection during the crash. Your arms take on most of the damage, but paralysis of the arms and nerve damage may also occur. These injuries can result in the temporary or permanent loss of feeling and movement in your arms.
5. Road Rash
Road rash is one of the most common injuries riders suffer in an accident. It occurs when your skin is directly exposed to the roadway or pavement, resulting in abrasions on the skin. There are three degrees of road rash injury you can suffer:
- First degree: The surface of the skin is irritated and turns red
- Second degree: The skin’s surface is broken, but does not expose muscle tissue
- Third degree: The skin is torn away to expose the inner layers of your muscle and fat tissue
If you suffer road rash in a motorcycle accident, seek immediate medical attention. These injuries can become infected and may lead to much worse medical conditions, including permanent nerve damage and disfigurement.
Find Out if You Have a Case
If you believe you suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident caused by another’s negligence, an attorney may be able to help you obtain fair compensation for your damages.
The trusted lawyers at Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak have helped many accident victims with their insurance claims. We understand how to negotiate to obtain maximum compensation for your injuries and financial losses and can discuss your legal options during a free, no obligation consultation.
When we represent your personal injury claim, we work for no upfront fees. You will only have to pay us if we recover compensation on your behalf.
Call (844) 678-1800 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
