Motorcycle riders are more prone to severe injuries in an accident when compared to occupants in a passenger vehicle or light truck.
In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration noted that the motorcycle rider fatality rate was six times higher than it was for passenger vehicle occupants in their recent statistics.
The rate was nearly nine times higher than it was for occupants of light trucks.
If you sustained injuries in an accident caused by another motorist, speak with the Alabama motorcycle injury lawyers at Fob James Law Firm, LLC, today.
Here we will discuss some of the more common motorcycle injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Head injuries are very common in motorbike crashes. They can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries.
Alabama is one of 18 states and the District of Columbia that has a universal helmet law. That means anyone operating or riding a motorcycle must have protective headgear.
Wearing a helmet can help reduce the risk of a catastrophic brain injury. NHTSA notes that 16% of recent motorcycle fatalities in Alabama involved individuals who were not wearing helmets.
You should take even a mild concussion seriously. The more head injuries you sustain, the greater the risk of long-term damage.
If you bumped your head, even with a helmet on, it’s crucial to see a doctor and verify you didn’t sustain any serious brain damage.
If you have a history of prior concussions, it’s even more important you seek medical attention to rule out any significant damage.
Road Rash
Road rash is one of the most common motorcycle injuries. Even riders with some protective gear could sustain road rash injuries if their body makes contact with the ground.
Road rash is a severe skin abrasion that can cause significant pain. The risk of infection is high with road rash injuries, so it’s imperative to seek medical treatment right away.
Severe road rash injuries may leave permanent scarring as well.
Fractures and Broken Bones
Even a seemingly minor motorcycle accident can result in broken bones.
If the motorcycle falls over on the rider’s leg, it can crush one or more bones. If a rider tries to cushion a fall with their arms or hands, they might fracture their wrist or arm bone.
When a vehicle slams into a motorcycle rider, their entire leg and foot could be crushed.
Internal Injuries
Some of the most serious motorcycle injuries are ones you don’t see. Internal injuries are also prevalent in accidents.
In many cases, the other vehicle directly impacts the motorcycle rider. Vehicles weigh significantly more than a motorcycle, and the rider lacks the standard safety equipment you have when riding in a car.
That’s one reason motorcycle injuries may be severe even in minor collisions.
Blunt force trauma or a penetration injury can lead to internal bleeding and damage to organs in a motorcycle accident. When left untreated, the injuries could be fatal.
Spinal Injuries
Other injuries in a motorcycle accident include damage to the spine. Suffering a fall from a motorcycle can result in a herniated disc, fractured vertebrae, etc. There is also a risk of spinal cord damage.
Spinal cord damage is often catastrophic and results in paralysis. Injured victims can have paraplegia or quadriplegia.
A motorcycle injury involving spinal cord damage is likely to result in a permanent disability that will create significant medical expenses for the rest of the victim’s life.
Contact Our Alabama Motorcycle Injury Attorneys
These are some of the most common motorcycle injuries, but they aren’t the only ones. If you sustained injuries in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, let our Alabama motorcycle accident lawyers help.
We have over four decades of experience fighting for injured victims like you. Contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.
Let us put our experience to work for you and help you get the compensation you deserve after a motorcycle accident in Alabama.
Fob James
Fob James obtained a B.S., in software engineering from Auburn University and then continued his education by getting his J.D. from Vanderbilt University School of Law. After working for a large regional firm for several years where he obtained awards for both individual and corporate clients, Fob found that his passion was fighting for individuals who have been seriously injured or wronged by others. Fob believes that the jury is the great equalizer to the power and influence that large corporations have in society.