Common Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

Motorcycles are less stable than cars and less visible to other drivers. In a crash, motorcyclists lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle riders are 26 times more likely to die in a traffic collision than passenger vehicle occupants, and 5 times more likely to be injured.

NHTSA reports that 4,957 motorcycle riders were killed one recent year, marking a 7 percent increase. That same year, 93,000 motorcyclists were injured in crashes. Motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities, with a fatality rate of 23.41 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, as compared to 0.90 for passenger cars.

About Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm

At Kraft & Associates, P.C., we represent people who have been injured and the families of those who have been killed in motorcycle accidents. Our experienced Dallas motorcycle accident lawyers are compassionate, effective and dedicated to getting results for our clients.

If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, we urge you to contact our firm right away for a free consultation. You should talk to a lawyer before you talk to insurance adjusters and before you sign anything.

Common Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcycle accident injuries can be catastrophic in many cases. Any part of the body can be injured in a motorcycle crash.

According to a study conducted by NHTSA, most fatal and incapacitating injuries are sustained when the point of impact is the front of the motorcycle. The following are some of the more common injuries suffered by motorcycle riders:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In a study conducted by NHTSA on 104,472 motorcyclists injured in traffic crashes, 15 percent of helmeted and 21 percent of unhelmeted riders suffered TBI. Traumatic brain injury accounted for 54 percent of the riders within this group who did not survive.
• Spinal cord injuries. When the spinal cord is injured from the impact of a collision, it can result in paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia.) This type of catastrophic injury usually causes permanent disability for the victim.
• Lower-extremity injuries. A NHTSA study of lower-extremity injuries in motorcycle crashes concluded that these injuries are sustained by riders more frequently than any other type of injury. Leg injuries were the most common lower-extremity injury, and bone fractures were more common than soft-tissue injuries.
• Internal injuries. Damage to internal organs and internal bleeding can be caused by blunt-force trauma (a blow from something hard that does not break the skin) or penetration trauma (when something sharp, such as broken glass or debris penetrates the skin in an accident).
• Fractures. Motorcycles are not stable upright, and they often fall over in an accident. Crashes happen quickly, and the rider’s leg can be under the bike when it falls. Wrists and arms can be fractured when riders catch themselves to break a fall.
• Road rash. When a rider makes contact with the road surface during a crash, serious skin abrasions called “road rash” occur. The severity of this type of injury can range from mild to serious injury that will require prompt medical attention, and are highly susceptible to serious infections and permanent scarring.

Legal Help for Motorcycle Injury Victims

If your motorcycle accident and injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, our knowledgeable personal injury lawyers can help you pursue the maximum compensation you may be entitled to receive. Our firm has recovered millions in settlements and verdicts for thousands of clients.

We are a professional and established firm, and our friendly lawyers and staff are easy to talk to. We offer a free case evaluation with no obligation to our prospective clients. Time may be of the essence, as evidence many need to be preserved and an independent accident investigation may need to be conducted. Our main goal is to obtain the best possible results in your case.

Please call Kraft & Associates, P.C., at (214) 999-9999, or you can send us an e-mail at kraftlaw@kraftlaw.com, or complete our online form for a free assessment of your case.

Sources:

• NHTSA: Motorcycles
• NHTSA: Quick Facts 2013
• NHTSA: Lower-Extremity Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes
• NHTSA: Motorcycle Helmet Use and Head and Facial Injuries