Few people realize how enormous the market in the United States is for motorcycles. The motorcycle and motorcycle parts manufacturing industry brings in more than $5 billion worth of revenue each year!
Anyone who has ridden a motorcycle understands why there is so much demand for them. In fact, motorcycles provide so much value that people are willing to risk motorcycle accident injuries to ride them. The unfortunate fact is that motorcyclists tend not to do as well as people driving cars if they end up in an accident.
But what kind of motorcycle accident injuries are the most common or the most serious? Read on to learn all about the most important things to understand about the most common motorcycle accident injuries in Boston!
A Motorcycle Crash Can Lead To Brain Damage
People who drive cars rely on seat belts and airbags to help protect them from brain damage in a crash. However, motorcyclists depend mostly on their helmets to protect their skull and brain when they get in an accident.
At the same time, some motorcyclists choose to ride on occasion without a helmet. Of course, that increases the chance that they will suffer brain damage if they get in an accident.
Many people have an exaggerated understanding of brain damage. In most cases, brain damage is minor and people recover without any lasting symptoms. Of course, even minor brain damage is a big deal.
On the other hand, a motorcycle crash involves huge amounts of force. Plenty of motorcyclists end up suffering more serious brain damage from unlucky crashes.
Even with a helmet on, motorcyclists can hit their heads so hard that they receive brain damage anyway. Of course, in such cases, their helmets probably saved their lives.
Keep in mind that you may not notice the symptoms of brain damage at the time of an accident. In fact, some people check themselves for damage and find that they do not have anything that seems worth paying attention to.
However, hours or even a day or so later, they might start to notice unusual physical symptoms. When that happens, it is important to receive medical attention right away. Brain injuries are tricky, so it is best to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Injuries From Riding a Motorcycle May Include Spinal Cord Damage
Motorcyclists are also at a higher chance of receiving spinal cord damage in an accident. Although a strong helmet can do a lot to protect the skull, the vast majority of motorcyclists do not wear anything that might protect them from spinal cord damage.
Although brain damage may sound somewhat scarier, in many cases, spinal cord damage is even worse. If your spinal cord is severed, you will not be able to send messages from your brain down to parts of your body below the point of severance.
Some people suffer spinal cord injuries so high up in their bodies that they cannot send signals from their brains to control any part of their bodies below the neck. Of course, these kinds of extreme injuries are less likely.
Motorcyclists Are More Likely to Suffer Burns and Road Rash
Sometimes, someone driving a car is thrown out of it during an accident. However, if they are wearing a seatbelt, there is not a very high chance that will happen. On the other hand, it is almost certain that a motorcyclist will fall off their motorcycle if they experience a crash.
In many cases, that means that they will land on the road and skid across it for some distance. If they skid across the rough road at high speeds, they may suffer serious burns. The intense friction of that kind of contact with the pavement can heat your skin up to incredible temperatures within mere moments.
Many motorcyclists are familiar with the experience of road rash as well. Even less severe friction against the road can cause intense scraping of the skin. In some cases, motorcyclists need to receive skin grafts to replace skin that has been scraped or burnt off from an accident.
Motorcyclists Suffer More Leg Injuries
Motorcyclists are also much more likely to suffer leg injuries during accidents. In contrast, those who drive cars are more likely to injure their upper body.
However, motorcyclists’ legs often make intense contact with the ground when they are thrown from their motorcycles. In other cases, their motorcycle might land on their leg and break it.
Unfortunately, such breaks tend to be messy rather than clean. That means that motorcyclists are more likely to suffer ligament or nerve damage during an accident as well.
Motorcyclists Can Also Suffer Neck Pain and Whiplash
Although motorcyclists tend to suffer certain injuries more often than drivers, everyone involved in such accidents has some chance of developing neck pain and whiplash.
Just as with brain damage, these kinds of injuries are not always apparent right away. You might need to keep an eye on yourself for a few days before you can say with confidence that your neck is not injured.
Consider Hiring a Motorcycle Lawyer
If someone else is at fault for the accident that led to your injuries, you might want to consider hiring a lawyer. On the other hand, if someone is trying to blame you for an accident even though it is not your fault, it may be even more important for you to find a great motorcycle lawyer to help you.
In many cases, the compensation that a lawyer can help you receive will help you recover with much less stress from auto accident injuries of all kinds.
Understanding the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Boston
Most people are focused on their motorcycle accident injuries after a crash. However, finding the right way to navigate your legal situation may help you manage the aftermath of a crash far better. Motorcycle accident lawyers have helped many people in similar situations receive advice as well as compensation to help them during recovery.
To learn more about what you should do when you have suffered injuries from a motorcycle crash, reach out and get in touch here!
