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While motorcycles only make up about 3% of vehicles on the road, riders account for a staggering 14.6% of traffic fatalities. Lack of safety features, road hazards, and driver inattention contribute to motorbike crashes. Common motorcycle accident injuries in California include TBIs, spinal cord injuries, limb fractures, and road rash.
A Quick List of Common Motorcycle Injuries
Note that the following list only deals with physical injuries. Many motorcycle accident survivors also struggle with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and insomnia.
1. Head Injuries
The head is among the more vulnerable body parts during a motorcycle accident, especially if you aren’t wearing a helmet. Motorcycle accident victims often suffer traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and concussions.
Brain injuries may not be obvious immediately after an accident. Always see a doctor to rule out any serious injuries. Pay attention to symptoms like blurred vision, headache, and loss of balance.
2. Spinal Injuries
Motorcycle collisions can cause spinal injuries, especially when the impact throws the rider off the motorbike. Spinal fractures and damage to the spinal cord may lead to irreversible nerve damage, temporary or permanent paralysis, and limited mobility. Even less serious spinal injuries, like herniated discs, may cause debilitating chronic back pain.
3. Broken Bones
Fractures of the femur, tibia, ankle, arms, and other bones are likewise among the common motorcycle accident injuries in California. Fractures often happen when a fallen motorcycle crushes the rider’s legs or when the rider tries to block their fall with their outstretched hands.
4. Internal Bleeding
Blunt impact injuries can cause internal bleeding, which is extremely dangerous after an accident. Some survivors who think they escaped with only scrapes and bruises end up with a diagnosis of internal organ damage.
The liver, heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs and soft tissues are all vulnerable to blunt trauma. Some symptoms of internal bleeding include dizziness, low blood pressure, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and weakness.
5. Ligament Damage
Ligament damage can occur because of unnatural, fast movements and high-impact hits. Knee, ankle, shoulder, wrist, and spinal ligaments are susceptible to overstretching or tears in motorcycle accidents. You’d typically need a CT or MRI scan to diagnose ligament and soft tissue damage.
Whiplash is a common neck injury that affects ligaments, muscles, and nerves. It commonly occurs in motorcycle accidents involving a quick back-and-forth neck motion. Whiplash causes neck pain, reduced range of motion, and neurological symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, vertigo, numbness, and tingling.
Protect Yourself From Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in California
California law requires all riders and passengers to wear a helmet. A DOT-compliant helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by nearly 70%. It’s also highly advisable to wear eye and face protection, a thick protective jacket and pants, boots, and motorcycle gloves.
Riding responsibly, following traffic laws, wearing reflective clothing, and staying focused on the road can prevent many motorcycle accidents. You should also avoid riding in bad weather or conditions that affect visibility, such as thick fog.
However, no rider is immune to accidents. If you suffer a motorcycle crash, seek medical attention ASAP and talk to a personal injury lawyer. You may be able to claim compensation if your accident happened because of another motorist’s negligence.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Call The Law Office of Elliott Kanter
Are you dealing with a painful recovery and mounting bills after one of the common motorcycle accident injuries in California? Contact Elliott Kanter, a San Diego personal injury attorney with over 40 years of experience. Call (619) 231-1883 or fill out our online form for a free consultation.
