The Consequences Of A Motorcycle Crash
Michael Babboni
Motorcycle Accidents
Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience. There’s the roar of the engine between your legs, the feel of the wind rushing past your face, the nearness of the asphalt as you bank into a turn.But then there are the dangers that come with using a motorcycle. The fact that you’re harder to spot on a motorcycle than in a car. The lack of safety features that fit nicely into a four-wheeled vehicle but simply can’t exist on a motorcycle. The stability issues that come with having only two wheels on the road. Because of issues like these, motorcyclists are five times as likely to be injured than someone in a four-wheeled vehicle in a similar accident.
These are just a few of the injuries a motorcyclist may have to endure that an automobile driver probably won’t:
- Head injuries. Between seat belts and airbags, modern car drivers usually don’t have to worry about much more than a case of whiplash and possibly a mild concussion. On the other hand, motorcycle riders who crash into something may wind up flying tens of feet headfirst onto the pavement or into a wall. A good helmet can help reduce this damage, but helmets are optional in most states for riders over 20 years old. Plus even with a helmet, motorcyclists often suffer from major concussions and cracked skulls.
- Leg injuries. If the accident isn’t sufficiently energetic to separate a biker from his or her ride, it may end up landing on top of him or her, breaking or even crushing one or both legs. Even worse, the biker’s leg may end up wedged between the bike and a solid object like a car or the side of a building. Car drivers may also suffer a leg injury, but it’s less likely thanks to the reinforced steel cage that protects modern passenger compartments.
- Joint injuries. A biker who has enough time to realize he or she is flying through the air will likely curl into a ball to protect his or her vital areas, and while doing so makes good sense it also means that the biker’s elbows, shoulders, and knees will suffer damage instead. While broken bones can heal within a matter of weeks, damaged joints do not often return to 100 percent after the healing is done.
- Road rash. This is a deceptively lighthearted way of saying that someone who goes skidding across solid pavement will pick up a number of scrapes and friction burns along the way. Such injuries are usually superficial, but they’re one more thing that motorcyclists have to worry about which seatbelt-wearing automobile drivers do not.
While the risks may be high for motorcyclists, especially for those who only recently got their license, there are millions of bikers in the United States who consider the benefits to be worth it. Still, if the worst happens and you get into an accident, you may find it helpful to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you through the claims process and to make sure you’re getting the best care for your buck.