Many prefer motorcycles over four-wheelers because of their fuel efficiency, cheaper maintenance costs, and flexibility during heavy traffic. In addition, you only need a small parking space at home. However, its build and design make riders more vulnerable to collisions.
In 2021, 82,528 motorcyclists suffered injuries during traffic accidents. The lucky ones get away with a mere road rash, but many others incur severe injuries like bone fractures and internal organ damage. The most unfortunate ones do not survive due to extensive physical disfigurement.
A motorcycle accident is twenty-four times more fatal than a car accident. Motorcycles do not have safety features like seat belts and airbags. Despite wearing helmets and other protective gear, the human body’s tolerance to impact remains low.
A strategic way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to prepare for the worse. Always be a defensive driver and observe all traffic protocols. Even if you get into a crash, you can still mitigate the situation by knowing the best medical and legal options beforehand.
The Personal Injury Center is an online portal for learning the legal consequences of motorcycle accident injuries and the victims’ rights. We hold a variety of well-researched and updated articles that even non-legal experts can comprehend.
Key Takeaways
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Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Around 14 percent of traffic fatalities involved motorcyclists, despite motorcycles comprising only 3 percent of all registered vehicles. Considering the frequency of motorcycle accidents, it is also crucial to understand its various categories. Distinguishing the different types of motorcycle accidents helps with police investigations and processing
Rear-enders
A rear-end collision is a vehicular accident whereby one vehicle crashes into another vehicle’s back. Depending on the gravity of the impact, a rear-ender can result in a simple fender bender or a total car collision. In most motorcycle accidents, four-wheelers and larger vehicles often crash into a motorcycle.
Some state laws presume the rear driver is at-fault in a rear-end collision. The top reasons for this car accident include tailgating and distracted driving. Often, rear drivers do not react in time to avoid hitting nearby vehicles.
The common injuries arising from rear-enders include:
- Skin abrasion
- Lacerations
- Concussions and skull fractures due to blunt force trauma
- Head injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Neck injuries, especially whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
Side-swipes
A side-swipe collision happens when one vehicle collides with the side of another car. The colliding vehicles travel in the same direction, and the at-fault driver crashes into the injured party’s car while changing or merging lanes.
Many people often mistake side-swipe collisions for T-bone accidents. What distinguishes the two is the angle of the accident. In T-bone accidents, the at-fault driver hits the other car’s broadside at a ninety-degree angle. The at-fault driver in a side-swipe collision typically did not stay in their proper lane and violated traffic regulations.
T-bone collisions
Similar to a side-swipe accident, T-bone collisions occur when a vehicle hits the side portion of another car. In the latter’s case, the crash forms a visible letter “T” from an aerial view.
T-bone accidents are most common in intersections, highways, and interstates. For example, a vehicle turns left while another car is running straight. When both drivers fail to react on time, the vehicle traveling in the straight lane jams into the one turning left.
Pinning the at-fault driver in a T-bone accident depends on various factors. Mostly, the driver who crashed into the broadside of the other car will be liable.
Treating Motorcycle Accident Injuries
The estimated motorcycle accident expense per person is $1,035. Considering the high costs, victims should receive proper and immediate medical attention to avoid complications that could further increase medical bills. In addition to managing costs, learning about relevant medical facts can be life-saving.
Symptoms
Most injuries in a motorcycle accident involve bone, muscle, and nerve damage. After the collision, inspect your body for the following symptoms:
- Bruises
- Cuts
- Pain in the neck, thorax, back, arms, and leg areas
- Irregular change in sleeping patterns
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Loss of consciousness
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus
- Lack of appetite
- Depression
It is ideal for motorcycle accident victims to immediately see health professionals. Some signs of injury, such as internal bleeding, may not be immediately visible. Also, some symptoms may have a delayed onset. Doctors often recommend that injured parties have ample rest and refrain from strenuous and stressful activities.
Diagnosis
Doctors would recommend a comprehensive health check-up to injured parties in a motorcycle crash. It comprises a complete body check-up and tests inspecting the patients’ blood and sugar levels. In addition, the attending healthcare personnel may order the following tests:
- X-ray
- Bone scan
- Ultrasound imaging
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Discography
- Myelogram
- Electromyogram (ECG)
Patients may undergo other tests if they manifest specific symptoms or have pre-existing conditions.
Treatment options
Do not try any treatment options mentioned in the list below unless ordered by a licensed medical professional. Every patient’s case is different. It is crucial to undergo thorough tests and analyses to determine whether a specific treatment plan is feasible.
The standard treatment options for motorcycle accident victims are as follows:
- Pain management medications
- Physical therapy, such as orthopedic and chiropractic services
- Occupational therapy
- Installation of prosthetic devices
- Restorative or reconstructive surgery
- Rehabilitative procedures
- Counseling
Leading Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
The US motorcycle accident death rates increased by 29 percent in the last decade. Awareness of the causes of motorcycle accidents will help motorcycle riders mitigate, if not eliminate, the risk of road crashes.
Here are some of the deadliest causes of motorcycle accidents in the country:
Drunk driving
Drunk riders may suffer cognitive difficulties and fail to observe safe driving practices. They may also feel volatile emotions that could encourage them to act recklessly.
Speeding
Driving at excessive speed makes any vehicle difficult to control, increasing the chances of crashing into another car or structure. Always observe speed limits, especially in areas with many pedestrians.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving happens when the rider performs activities that take their attention from the road. These activities include texting, calling, and eating. It is best to find a safe space to stop when you need to do these activities.
Lane splitting and switching
Repeated lane splitting and lane switching are not advisable. When riders do not take the necessary precautions, they could end up in side-swipe and T-bone accidents.
Mechanical problems
Mechanical problems seem like unexpected disasters, but they are preventable. Always ensure to inspect your vehicle thoroughly before hitting the road.
Inexperience
Around eight teens die per day in motorcycle accidents. Their lack of driving experience and mental immaturity often lead them to drive recklessly.
Bad weather
Weather conditions make roads less controllable. For example, a snowstorm may impair visibility and create road hazards. Icy roads are also slippery, preventing drivers from accelerating or decelerating safely.
Poor road conditions
Unmaintained roads with multiple potholes can make driving difficult and increase the risk of accidents. The yearly cost of car crashes due to poor road conditions exceeds two hundred billion dollars.
Safety Tips for Motorcycle Riders
Driving is a privilege with a responsibility to avoid accidents actively. All drivers must continuously enhance their driving knowledge and skills to become better motorists.
The following tips help reduce the risks of getting into motorcycle accidents:
Always wear a helmet
Wearing helmets is crucial while riding motorcycles. It lowers the risk of head injury by at least 69 percent. Also, only wear helmets that match your state law’s specifications. Cheaper helmets may save you a few dollars but could increase your fatality rate.
Observe traffic rules
Traffic rules function as a collective agreement among all motorists. By following each policy, riders could predict and assess everybody’s road behavior. Besides, legislators design traffic laws to protect everybody from all kinds of road hazards.
Keep a safe distance from others
It is a well-established practice in driving to keep at least a three-second distance from the vehicle ahead of you. Doing so gives you a reasonable time to react if the other car suddenly stops or changes lanes.
Remain visible
Many vehicle crashes happen because other vehicles cannot see the motorcycles around them. Especially during nighttime or heavy fog, riders should wear reflective jackets and gear. They should also take advantage of signal lights and use them when needed.
Inspect your motorcycle before use
Always check fluids, such as fuel, engine oil, coolant, and transmission fluid, before heading out. Ensure that the gaskets, seals, and hoses show no leakage. Also, remember to look out for flat tires.
Check the weather forecast
Weather forecasts can sometimes be inaccurate, but they still provide warnings to riders about the possible road conditions. Refrain from driving during heavy rains and snowstorms because the road can be slippery and more challenging to manage.Â
Things To Consider When Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Motorcycle accident lawsuits are highly technical and require extensive effort and precision. Study the following details to prepare yourself when filing a personal injury case against erring parties:
Organize your evidence
You need to exhibit a series of factual evidence to win a personal injury lawsuit. Besides proving that a motorcycle accident happened, you must establish that you suffered injuries and are entitled to compensation. Presenting the following in court may strengthen your claim:
- Police reports
- Medical bills
- Medication expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Vehicle repairs and replacements
Establish who is at fault
Present these elements to prove that a party is at-fault or negligent:
- Duty: The at-fault driver had a legal responsibility to drive safely and observe traffic rules.
- Breach: The at-fault driver breached their duty as a responsible driver by crashing into you.
- Causation: The driver’s lack of foresight led you to suffer injuries.
- Injury: Your injuries, such as broken ribs and leg injuries, are compensable. The court may grant appropriate compensation for your suffering.
Specify your claims
Injured parties may file for compensatory and punitive damages.
Compensatory damages refer to the financial compensation the court awards to plaintiffs for their injuries and losses. It has two categories: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages are compensation with direct monetary equivalent, which includes medical expenses and repair costs. In comparison, non-economic damages cover non-tangible experiences such as inconvenience, humiliation, emotional anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium.
Punitive damages function differently than compensatory damages. They intend to reform the defendants and prevent others from committing grave acts that the erring parties did.
File on time
The law prescribing the time limit for filing lawsuits is called the statute of limitations. Every state implements a different statute of limitations. For personal injury lawsuits, parties may file within two to four years from the accident date.Â
Did you know?
Motorcycle accident fatalities peak at specific hours and days. According to government reports, deadly motorcycle crashes often happen on weekends between 6 PM Friday to 6 AM Monday.
Find Nearby Motorcycle Accident Attorneys With The Personal Injury Center
Motorcycle crashes are catastrophic, but they are surpassable. You can survive this tragedy through ample preparation, primarily through education. Knowing how to handle the aftermath of motorcycle accidents can be the only difference needed to save a life.
Other than medical care, remember to seek justice. You can rely on The Personal Injury Center for your legal concerns. Our intensive collection of articles can help enhance your legal education.
By completing our free case evaluation, we can refer you to a nearby attorney or law firm that can best handle your case. Please share all pertinent details so we can be more thorough with our recommendations.
You do not deserve to suffer motorcycle accident injuries due to the negligence of others. The Personal Injury Center can link you with a competent motorcycle accident lawyer.
FAQs on Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Whose insurance policy will cover my medical expenses?
It depends. The injured party's personal injury protection (PIP) insurance will answer for the costs in no-fault states. It is irrelevant whether the injured party is at fault. In comparison, at-fault states compel erring parties to cover the expenses of motorcycle accident victims.
What happens if I do not have motorcycle insurance during an accident?
Being uninsured does not prevent injured parties from claiming compensation from at-fault parties. It is possible to hold erring drivers and insurers for medical bills and other expenses.
When should victims hire a personal injury lawyer?
Do not delay working with personal injury attorneys. Having immediate legal support can help injured parties seek timely solutions and prevent further injustices.
