Common Motorcycle Injury Types

Riding a motorcycle in Louisiana can pose challenges due to poor road conditions and drivers’ inattention. If you have been in a Baton Rouge motorcycle accident, you could face mounting medical debts, diminished quality of life, and an inability to work. Unfortunately, motorcycle accident injuries are often severe and catastrophic. Statistics show that around 80% of motorcycle accidents result in injuries, and more than half of motorcycle crashes involve other motor vehicles at intersections.

The Baton Rouge motorcycle accident attorneys at Murray & Murray, L.L.C. understand the frustration, fear, pain, and suffering you may experience after being the victim of a motorcycle crash. No one should suffer injuries and losses due to someone else’s negligence. If you or a family member were involved in a motorcycle crash, you need a motorcycle accident attorney you can trust.

The Most Common Motorcycle Injury Types Baton Rouge

Studies show that motorcycle accident victims are 40 times more likely to die in motorbike accidents than those driving a car. More than 12% of people injured in motorcycle accidents suffer serious, life-threatening injuries that can leave victims suffering for their entire lives. 

In a motorcycle accident, any part of the body can become injured. According to NHTSA, most fatal injuries are sustained when the point of impact is the front of the motorbike. The following are some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

An NHTSA study shows that of 104,472 motorcyclists injured in motorcycle crashes, 15% of helmeted and 21% of unhelmeted rides suffered traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, TBI accounted for 54% of the motorcyclists who did not survive. Head injuries are among the most serious injuries a rider can suffer. These can range from mild to severe, causing permanent physical pain, emotional suffering, or mental disabilities. 

Those injured may experience memory loss, disorientation, depression, confusion, and loss of coordination and motor skills. In some cases, signs of head injuries include headaches, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, unconsciousness, dilated pupils, and slurred speech. 

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Trauma to the back can also lead to devastating and life-changing injuries for motorcyclists. Injuries can include spinal cord damage, herniated discs, torn ligaments, and displaced vertebra. The most severe injury in this category is trauma to the spinal cord because it can result in either temporary or permanent paralysis, including quadriplegia (total paralysis from the neck down). Other spinal injuries can result in bodily dysfunction or respiratory problems.

Lower Extremity Injuries

As a motorcycle accident victim, you may sustain injuries to the lower extremities due to the exposed nature of your legs. The motorcycle generally weighs hundreds of pounds, and if a collision occurs, the motorcycle can fall on top of you and cause injuries to the lower part of your body. Other vulnerable body parts are calves, knees, ankles, and feet. 

In case of broken bones, multiple surgeries and several months of physical therapy might be required. Another injury that can affect the lower part of the body is road rash. If you are forced to swerve to avoid any oncoming cars or debris, you may scrape your legs and other body parts along the road’s hard surface. 

The severity of a road rash could depend on the type of clothing you are wearing and the motorcycle’s speed. At high speeds, road rash can lead to severe and burn-like abrasions that generally require skin grafts. Such excruciating injuries can result in permanent scarring, nerve damage, or infections.

Upper Extremity Injuries

As a motorcycle accident victim, you could be ejected from your motorbike and become airborne. It is a common reflex to use your arms to brace for a fall. As a result, you may experience a hard landing and suffer severe shoulder injuries and torn rotator cuffs. Broken fingers, elbows, and arms and permanent nerve damage to the upper body are also common.

Internal Injuries

The force of motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries to the organs, including the liver or spleen. You may be unaware of internal damage until time has passed. These injuries are more difficult to detect than ones visible to the eyes, and can result in internal bleeding, infection, or death. Common symptoms of internal injuries include headache, bruising, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, or blood in your urine.

What Should You Do After a Baton Rouge Motorcycle Accident?

If you have suffered injuries in a Baton Rouge motorcycle accident, you may be eligible to file an injury claim or personal injury lawsuit. Being the victim of a motorcycle crash can be traumatizing and challenging, but knowing what to do could improve your future. For starters, if possible, move to a safe location and call 911 immediately. 

The paramedics will address your motorcycle accident injuries, and a police officer will document the accident scene for your motorcycle accident claim. If your injuries allow, try to gather some evidence. You can take photos of the motorbike accident, your injuries, motorcycle, road signs, road condition, and the other vehicles involved. 

Then call one of our personal injury lawyers at Murray & Murray, L.L.C. to represent you and handle your motorcycle accident case on a contingency-fee-basis. Our legal team will determine who is liable for your injuries and damages, communicate with the at-fault insurer on your behalf, and negotiate a settlement offer. If they are unwilling to offer you a fair settlement, we will sue them in court to get the compensation you deserve.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today

When you need to recover, the last thing you should worry about is your medical bills and day-to-day expenses. If the motorcycle collision was not your fault, you do not need to pay the medical costs out of pocket. Moreover, you should not face handling the consequences of such injuries alone, without legal representation. 

We are here to fight on your behalf. Our personal injury lawyers can help you pursue the financial compensation you are entitled to receive. Call a compassionate personal injury lawyer at Murray & Murray, L.L.C., to schedule a free consultation and discuss your options.