Riding a motorcycle on the open road can be an exhilarating experience, but it does not come without risks. When a motorcycle collides with another vehicle, the lack of protective enclosure leaves riders vulnerable to serious injuries. At Tittle & Perlmuter, our experienced Ohio motorcycle accident attorneys have helped numerous riders who have suffered harm due to the negligence of other motorists. In this blog post, we discuss some of the common motorcycle accident injuries and the legal options available to injured riders.
Road Rash
One of the most frequent and painful injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents is road rash. This occurs when a rider’s unprotected skin forcefully scrapes against the rough pavement after being violently thrown from their bike. While road rash may sound relatively minor compared to other catastrophic injuries, it can be quite serious and require extensive medical treatment. Severe road rash that removes multiple layers of skin may require painful skin grafting surgery, leading to permanent scarring, disfigurement, or even dangerous infections. Preventing debilitating road rash is one important reason that wearing proper motorcycle safety gear like thick protective clothing, durable gloves, and sturdy boots is critical for riders.
Leg and Foot Injuries
The positioning of a motorcyclist’s legs and feet while riding makes them highly susceptible to injury in a crash. Upon impact with another vehicle, the rider’s lower body often absorbs much of the initial blow. This can result in fractured leg bones, crushed feet, torn ligaments in the knees and ankles, and severed toes. Leg and foot injuries frequently require extensive surgery, physical therapy, and long recovery times. In some cases, amputation may be necessary.
Arm and Hand Injuries
Just as the legs are vulnerable, a rider’s arms and hands are also commonly injured in motorcycle accidents. Riders instinctively outstretch their arms to brace their fall, but the impact can easily fracture wrist bones, dislocate elbows and shoulders, or cause serious lacerations. Wearing durable gloves and arm protection can help mitigate potential damage. However, arm and hand injuries can still have a major impact, especially if they affect the rider’s ability to work or complete everyday tasks during recovery.
Facial and Eye Injuries
Riders who fail to wear helmets with face shields are at high risk of facial and eye injuries. Striking the pavement or being hit by airborne debris can lacerate the face, break the nose or jaw, knock out teeth, or even cause blindness in one or both eyes. Facial reconstruction surgery may be needed to repair the damage. Proper helmets that cover the entire face provide the best protection against these devastating injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Perhaps the most serious and common motorcycle accident injuries are those that directly impact the vulnerable head and brain. Concussions are prevalent, as the extreme force of impact can violently jostle the delicate brain inside the skull, causing bruising and swelling. More severe traumatic brain injuries like depressed skull fractures, cerebral contusions, brain bleeding, and permanent brain damage are also major risks, especially for riders not wearing DOT-approved helmets designed to absorb shock. Traumatic brain injuries can have severe lifelong effects on cognitive abilities, memory, emotions, sensory processing, and physical functioning. Wearing a well-constructed, properly fitting helmet has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of death and brain injuries by as much as 67% in a crash.
Neck and Back Injuries
The head is not the only vulnerable area of the upper body. The neck and back are also prone to serious injuries from motorcycle accidents. Riders can suffer whiplash, herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or even paralysis if the spinal cord is damaged. Neck and back injuries often cause chronic pain and limited mobility and may require ongoing treatment and therapy to manage symptoms. Severe spinal injuries resulting in paralysis are catastrophic and life-altering for riders.
Chest Injuries
Blunt force trauma from striking objects or being crushed between vehicles can cause serious damage to a rider’s relatively unprotected chest and torso. Broken ribs, while extremely painful, are very common motorcycle accident injuries that can thankfully heal with time.
However, more severe chest injuries like a punctured lung, lacerated liver, ruptured aorta, or other damage to vital internal organs can quickly become life-threatening if not treated immediately. Wearing armored motorcycle riding jackets with built-in robust chest protection plates and abdominal guards can help reduce dangerous impact forces on the torso. However, be sure to still seek immediate medical attention after any accident to check for potentially critical internal injuries that may not have outward symptoms at first. Prompt treatment is essential.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Not all serious motorcycle accident injuries are physical. Many riders involved in traumatic crashes develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms like severe anxiety, depression, flashbacks, nightmares, and emotional numbness can emerge and make it difficult to resume normal life. Treatment for PTSD often includes psychotherapy, support groups, and medication.
Seeking Compensation
Motorcyclists injured by the negligence of other drivers have the right to seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, property damage, pain and suffering, and other losses. However, obtaining full and fair compensation often requires legal assistance, as insurance companies frequently try to pin blame on the rider and minimize payouts.
At Tittle & Perlmuter, we are dedicated advocates for injured motorcyclists across Ohio. We thoroughly investigate each case to determine liability and document the extent of the injuries and losses. Our motorcycle accident attorneys are skilled negotiators and aggressive litigators who are not afraid to take on large insurance companies in pursuit of maximum compensation for our clients.
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Ohio
While riding a motorcycle comes with inherent risks, motorcyclists should not have to suffer because of the carelessness of other motorists. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault, do not hesitate to contact the experienced Ohio motorcycle accident lawyers at Tittle & Perlmuter for a free consultation. We will review your case, advise you of your legal options, and tirelessly fight to get you the compensation you need and deserve. Call us today to get started!
