When collisions occur in the greater Provo, accident victims and their loved ones can rely on our team of attorneys. We know that these kinds of accidents can take their toll on people’s lives, which is why we are here to help.
Motorcycle accidents can cause serious and even fatal injuries, which is why so many people pursue legal action when negligence contributed or directly caused a collision. With this in mind, we want to consider the types of injuries that may be sustained by motorcyclists. In the end, we’ll offer some brief tips for motorcyclists to protect themselves with proper gear.
Head Injury and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Even if you are wearing a helmet, you are potentially vulnerable to serious head trauma and brain injuries. This includes concussions and even much more serious open head/penetrating injuries. These kinds of brain injuries can have lasting effects on your future health and wellness, and sometimes in an unpredictable way. Serious brain injuries can cause long-term issues with memory, motor skills, cognition, mood, speech patterns, and general psychological wellness.
Road Rash
Road rash occurs when skin is seriously scraped and lacerated after coming into contact with the road. It’s probably one of the most well-known biker injuries. The best way to avoid these kinds of injuries is to wear a proper jacket and pants while you are on your motorcycle. The less exposed skin, the better.
Biker’s Arm
This kind of motorcyclist injury is also common, but it’s not as widely known as road rash. Whenever you fall, it’s instinctual to reach out with your hands to try to break your fall. When you do this as you fall from a motorcycle, the impact with the ground can result in nerve damage from the wrists up through the elbow and shoulder. This nerve damage is biker’s arm.
Broken Bones and Joints
Given how exposed motorcyclists are, it should come as no surprise that broken bones and joint problems may arise after a serious collision. Compound fractures or even small hairline fractures of the bone may occur.
Spinal Cord and Neck Injuries
Again related to the vulnerability and exposure of a motorcyclist, there the potential for major spinal cord injuries following a collision. Sometimes these injuries may involve ruptured discs, whiplash, or fractures of the vertebrae. The most serious kinds of neck and spinal cord injuries, however, and ones that render people paralyzed, namely paraplegia and quadriplegia.
Damage to Internal Organs
The sever trauma from impacts with another vehicle, another object, or the ground can lead to serious injuries to internal organs. Internal organ injuries may not necessarily be noticeable on the surface, but the harm they can cause you can be devastating.
Protective Gear for Motorcyclists
Given the risk of injury and the severity of injuries for motorcyclists, it’s of the utmost importance that proper riding gear be worn while operating a vehicle. This means having a helmet, riding jacket, jeans (at the very least), proper boots, and gloves. There is specially made motorcycle gear with underarmor that adds extra protection from impacts and road rash.
In addition to getting proper gear, it’s important to consider items that work for daytime and nighttime rides. Getting riding gear with bright colors or reflective surfaces can be helpful when riding at night, allowing you to remain visible to other motorists at all times.
In short, be sure to dress smart and drive smart.
Contact Our Team of Injury Attorneys
To learn more about your legal rights and options following a serious motorcycle accident, be sure to contact our team of injury attorneys today. Our lawyers will work with you and fight diligently during your time of legal need.