Denver Personal Injury Attorney Reveals the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

With Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month right around the corner, learn more information about the risks of motorcycles. Motorcycles do not offer as much protection as cars and trucks, so motorcyclists are at a greater risk of getting seriously injured in a collision than motorists are. What are some of the injuries that motorcyclists often sustain in an accident? According to Denver personal injury attorney Mark A. Simon, these are the most common motorcycle accident injuries:

Head Injury

Unfortunately, head injuries are fairly common among motorcyclists who have been involved in an accident. These injuries can occur if the motorcyclist is thrown off of the bike, or if he is simply jerked back and forth while still on his bike. Some head injuries, such as a concussion, are far less serious than others, such as skull fractures, but every type of brain injury can be devastating. Learn about the symptoms and treatment of a traumatic brain injury.

Road Rash

Motorcyclists who make contact with the pavement during a collision may develop road rash, which is a skin abrasion. This may sound like a minor injury, but it should be taken very seriously. In extreme cases, the road rash can be so severe that it can completely remove the skin from the biker’s body, leaving only fat exposed.

Bikers can protect themselves from road rash by wearing the proper clothing while riding. It’s best to wear long sleeves and full-length pants if you plan on getting on a motorcycle. This may limit the damage caused by road rash in the event of an accident.

Broken or Fractured Bones

Motorcycles often tip over on the motorcyclist during a collision, which can lead to many broken and fractured bones. It’s common for motorcyclists who have been involved in an accident to suffer broken or fractured bones in the legs, as this is usually where the bike lands when it tips to the side. Motorcyclists can also fracture or break bones in their hands and arms. This happens when they instinctively try to break their fall by reaching their hands out in front of them during a collision.

Biker’s Arm

Another injury that motorcyclists often sustained in accidents is biker’s arm. As previously mentioned, it’s normal to try to protect yourself by reaching your arms out to break your fall if you have been thrown from your bike. Many motorcyclists also wrap one arm around their body to try to cushion the blow of their bodies hitting the pavement. Unfortunately, by putting your hands and arms in harm’s way, you are putting yourself at a greater risk of developing biker’s arm. This condition is characterized by permanent nerve damage that occurs when your arms bear the brunt of the impact. Wearing protective gear such as elbow pads and thick, sturdy jackets may provide you with some protection from this painful injury.

If you have any questions about your personal injury case, attorney Mark A. Simon can help. If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, call us or contact Mark A. Simon to discuss your rights during a free consultation.