Motorcycles symbolize toughness, independence, and, sometimes, rebellion. While most people use them to get around on less gas than cars, these steel horses can be incredibly dangerous to the riders. Motorcycle accidents are common in Colorado, and the injuries can be severe, if not fatal.

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, an El Paso County law firm can help you file charges against a negligent driver who caused the accident and the injuries. Here’s what you need to know about the most common injuries for which you can file a claim.

What Are the Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycles lack the safety features that cars have, for example, airbags and crumple zones. Besides, motorcycles are less stable than cars, and other road users may not always see them as visibly as larger vehicles.

In addition, other causes of motorcycle are alcohol use and speeding. More than 35% of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. So, car and truck drivers unsafely going through intersections may contribute to a motorcycle accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites another common cause of motorcycle accidents in its Anatomy of a Motorcycle Crash; lack of experience and appreciation of the inherent operating characteristics of the motorcycle. Mechanical failures of the bike, like brake failure or blown tires, may also be contributing factors.

What are Some Key Motorcycle Accident Statistics?

The NHTSA reports that motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to lose their lives in a motorcycle accident. The likelihood of motorcycle injury is five times higher than in a car. The NHTSA also reports that over 5,100 motorcycle riders lost their lives in 2017, while 89,000 others were injured in crashes.

Other figures show that:

  • 80% of all motorcycle accidents cause some injury
  • More than half of all motorcycle accidents involving other vehicles happen at intersections. That is usually because the driver doesn’t notice the motorcycle rider
  • More than two-thirds of motorcycle accidents not involving other cars are due to reckless driving
  • 32% of the motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2017 were speeding, compared to 14 of light-truck drivers and 18% of passenger car drivers

Even when motorcycle riders have safety equipment and are well-protected, getting into a motorcycle accident leaves them with all kinds of injuries. A Colorado Springs personal injury attorney can help you file a compensation claim to cater to the medical bills. 

What are the Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Motorcycle accidents cause the following types of injuries:

Lower Extremity Injuries

A motorcycle rider’s legs are usually exposed, explaining why motorcycle accident victims often sustain injuries in the lower extremities. A motorcycle weighing hundreds of pounds may fall on a rider during an accident, causing injuries to the lower part of the body.

Besides the legs, a rider may also get injuries on the feet, ankles, calves, and knees. Most of these injuries aren’t fatal but can cause excruciating pain and lead to long-term disability. Broken bones may require surgical placement of screws, rods, pins, or other hardware and multiple surgeries afterward.

Road Rash

Road rash is the most common injury that happens after a motorcycle accident. The nature of most motorcycle accidents is that the rider slides across the pavement or road after being thrust from the motorcycle. The impact of the thrust is more severe than just a simple bruise or scrape, as the force causes multiple layers of skin to peel off, exposing muscles beneath.

Since a motorcycle has no seatbelts, it’s easy for the rider to flow over the handlebars because of the crash’s impact. That’s why it’s imperative to wear the right motorcycle riding gear. These include riding pants, leather jackets, gloves, and riding boots.

Upper Extremity Injuries

In most motorcycle accidents, the impact of the collision ejects the rider from the motorcycle, launching them into the air. The most common reflex is to use their arms to brace for a fall. Consequently, those who experience a hard landing in a crash are likely to sustain torn rotator cuffs, broken fingers, elbows, and arms, nerve damage, and shoulder injuries.

Head and Neck Injuries

The most common head and neck injuries sparked by motorcycle accidents are concussions and fractures. The head holds the brain, the body’s heaviest and most powerful organ. It must always stay protected when riding a motorcycle, which is why the law requires you to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. It can significantly reduce the severity of the injuries you get.

Muscle Damage

Muscle damage can affect any part of the body after a motorcycle accident. That’s because nothing separates the rider’s body from the surrounding on a busy street. If the damage is severe, it can become permanent, leading to lifelong paralysis.

The best way to protect yourself from muscle damage during a motorcycle accident is to wear earplugs, a helmet, and layers of protective clothing. Knee and elbow pads and a leather jacket specifically for motorcycle riding should help reduce the impact.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are prevalent in motorcycle accidents. Depending on where the impact severs most, the damage may leave you numb below the injury site. In other cases, it’ll cause complete paralysis in one or more body parts. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Colorado Springs can help you seek compensation from the at-fault party to take care of your medical bills.

Legal Guidance from Aggressive and Compassionate Injury Representatives?

If you or your loved one got involved in a motorcycle accident, don’t assume everything is intact, even if you have no injuries. You must seek immediate medical attention from a physician to check the extent of the damage. They’ll give you the necessary treatment depending on your condition and injuries.

It’s also essential to engage the services of a Colorado Springs personal injury attorney to help protect your interests. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney could help you file the paperwork necessary for a compensation claim if your accident was because of a driver’s negligence. Our criminal defense lawyer in El Paso County can work with you. Contact us to schedule a FREE case evaluation.