What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Injuries?

Motorcycle accidents are some of the most damaging vehicle accidents that occur in the United States. They are also the most likely to result in serious injuries and fatalities. Unlike an enclosed passenger vehicle with multiple standard safety features like crush-resistant frames, safety belts, and airbags, motorcycles offer virtually no physical protection to riders and passengers. When a motorcyclist experiences an accident, they are very likely to suffer severe injuries even at low or moderate speed.

All motorcycle owners and their passengers should understand and acknowledge the risk of severe injury that comes with motorcycling. Motorcycle accidents are easily capable of causing life-changing injuries and fatalities.

What Is the Most Common Major Motorcycle Injury?

A motorcycle accident is capable of causing severe injuries like broken bones, internal organ damage, and worse. The most common major injuries seen in motorcycle accidents throughout the US are head and neck injuries. Even when riders wear appropriate safety helmets, the impact forces of a motorcycle accident can easily cause traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and spinal injury in the neck. Some of these injuries can be fatal without immediate medical intervention, and it is not uncommon for head and neck injuries to result in permanent disability.

Any type of motorcycle accident injury can potentially cause severe or fatal complications:

  • Broken bones can require surgical correction, and some severe fractures can result in severe bleeding or cause infection.
  • Internal organ injuries are incredibly damaging and may cause long-term medical complications for the victim. Most internal organ injuries will require emergency surgery to prevent severe internal bleeding, and the development of an infection from an internal injury can become fatal very quickly.
  • Traumatic brain injuries are some of the most complex and unpredictable injuries a person can experience. Some traumatic brain injuries result in mild concussions while others cause fatal brain hemorrhaging. Some who experience traumatic brain injuries recover in a matter of weeks or months, while others experience permanent medical complications from these injuries.

These are just a few examples of the potentially devastating effects of motorcycle accident injuries. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are not only more likely to result in injuries but also more likely to cause fatal injuries.

What Is a Major Cause of Death in Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents are far more likely to cause fatal injuries than any other type of vehicle accident. It is almost always the motorcyclist who suffers the worst of the damage in this type of vehicle accident. Head and neck injuries are some of the most common major motorcycle accident injuries and are also the most likely to be fatal. A traumatic brain injury may only result in a concussion, or it can cause fatal brain hemorrhaging. A neck injury may only result in minimal loss of range of motion, or the neck could completely break and kill the victim.

Which Body Region Is Most Likely to be Injured in a Motorcycle Crash?

While head and neck injuries are the most likely to be fatal in a motorcycle accident, the body region most likely to sustain an injury of any kind in a motorcycle crash is the lower body, including the feet, legs, and lower abdomen.

A rider who sustains injuries to the feet and legs may experience compound bone fractures and severe bleeding. Soft tissue injuries to the tendons, ligaments, and muscles are also likely. Lower-body injuries to the abdomen can rupture internal organs and cause severe internal bleeding very quickly.

What Percentage of Motorcycle Riders Get in Accidents?

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other sources indicate that motorcyclists are about 30 times more likely to experience accidents than drivers of passenger vehicles. Motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than other vehicles for many reasons, including the fact that it is more difficult to spot these smaller vehicles than to notice larger passenger vehicles.

While only about 20% of car accidents result in serious injuries or fatalities, roughly 80% of motorcycle accidents cause injuries or deaths. There is an inherently higher risk of injury and death on a motorcycle compared to the injury and fatality rates for accidents involving other vehicles.

Where Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Occur?

All motorcyclists should understand that accidents can occur virtually anywhere, but some locations tend to see more motorcycle accidents than others. Intersections are particularly dangerous for motorcycles, especially when it comes to left-hand turns. For example, if a motorcyclist wants to turn left while the opposing traffic has the right of way, they must only do so very cautiously and heed any “left turn yield on green” signs posted for their lane. Motorcycles are small and hard to see, so turning at an intersection is inherently one of the most dangerous situations for any motorcyclist.

Freeways and highways are also very dangerous roads for motorcycles. Even though most modern motorcycles are highly maneuverable, it is more difficult to control any vehicle at higher speeds. The higher the speed, the more damaging an accident will be, especially for a motorcyclist struck by a larger vehicle.

All riders and other drivers need to understand that motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere. While intersections and highways may see the most motorcycle accidents, these incidents may also occur on small two-lane roads, streets in residential areas, and even seemingly quiet country backroads. Whenever a motorcycle accident happens, those involved should understand their legal rights and how to pursue compensation for their losses in the California civil court system.

Determining Fault for Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Anyone who experiences a motorcycle accident in California must understand the legal process of determining liability for such an incident. If you believe another driver is responsible for causing a motorcycle accident and your resulting damages, you will need the assistance of an experienced Palm Desert motorcycle accident attorney to help you establish their liability and secure compensation for your losses.

In any personal injury case, negligence is the central concept that a plaintiff must understand to succeed with their claim. “Negligence” refers to a failure to act with reasonable care in a situation. If another driver was negligent in any way that contributed to the accident, it is likely you will have solid grounds to file a personal injury claim against them.

Know the Value of Legal Counsel

If you believe another driver is responsible for your recent motorcycle accident, seeking legal representation as soon as possible is the best thing you can do to ensure your right to claim compensation for your damages. An experienced Palm Desert motorcycle accident lawyer can assess the evidence in play in your case, help you identify the party or parties responsible for your losses, and fully explore every available avenue of compensation to help you maximize your recovery.

At the Law Offices of Susan Handel, our team understands that motorcycle accidents can easily lead to devastating or even fatal injuries. If you recently suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, our team could help you file a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for causing the accident. If a loved one recently died due to another driver’s negligence, we can help you build a wrongful death claim. Ultimately, the sooner you seek legal counsel after a motorcycle accident, the better your chances will be of securing compensation for your losses.

If you are ready to discuss your legal options with a compassionate and reliable Palm Desert motorcycle accident lawyer, contact the Law Offices of Susan Handel today and schedule a case review with our team.