Motorcycle enthusiasts come in all varieties: male and female, young and old. No matter where you fit on the spectrum, your reasons for riding are likely among those shared by others. The freedom, the excitement and the wonderful people you meet are just a few perks, not to mention the money you save on gas.
Of course, every joy has its sorrow, and the critical drawback of riding a motorcycle is the danger. You have a certain amount of control over your safety by operating your bike only when sober, maintaining an appropriate speed and remaining alert. Nevertheless, you likely know dozens of fellow bikers who have been hurt in motorcycle accidents. You may even mourn a few who were not so lucky. Perhaps you have a painful memory of your own accident.
Vulnerable parts of your body
Because your body is not protected by the body of an automobile, you may suffer from road rash, which occurs as your skin slides over the surface of the road. Road rash may be as simple as a few scrapes, but it can be quite serious, especially if you aren’t wearing protective clothing. You should seek immediate medical attention for road rash that reveals tissue and fat.
Broken bones are common in most motor vehicle accidents, but some bones are more susceptible to injury in a motorcycle accident, for example:
- Your wrist and arm if you try to catch yourself when falling
- Your shoulder
- Your pelvis
- Your leg
If you survived a motorcycle accident with little more than a broken leg, you can consider yourself fortunate. Broken legs are the most common injury suffered by motorcycle riders who end up in the hospital following an accident. It makes sense, because a motorcycle frequently falls over during an accident, and your leg may break under it.
Devastating injuries
While broken legs may be the most common injury for victims of motorcycle accidents, they are certainly not the most serious. The leading cause of death or permanent disability among motorcycle accident victims is head injury. Because California requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets, the probability of suffering a traumatic brain injury in an accident is reduced by about 30 percent. Nevertheless, the possibility exists for a life-changing injury under the worst circumstances.
Motorcycles represent freedom to many, but injury and pain put limits on your freedom. If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of others, you are within your rights to seek compensation for your suffering.