In many of the “Mission Impossible” films, action sequences often involve the hero, played by Tom Cruise, racing on a motorcycle and being chased by the bad guys. It turns out that Cruise is an experienced rider who enjoys doing most of his own stunts. Those stunts are meticulously worked out to prevent an accident. After all, you don’t want your star sidelined with an injury.
If stunt riders do get into accidents, they will be wearing the right protective padding and know how to position themselves to absorb the fall. This comes from years of training and practice. The average motorcyclist doesn’t have that same level of experience. When they take a spill, it can lead to serious injuries.
What happens to the human body in a motorcycle accident depends on where the bike and driver are struck, how fast they were traveling, and the force of the impact. Even in a minor accident, a motorcyclist will find themselves spilling out and either rolling away from the bike or being trapped underneath. The resulting injuries can trigger chronic pain, prolonged recovery, and a major disruption.
In a car, the risk of injury can be minimized with a seat belt and airbag deployment. A motorcycle rider doesn’t have that same protection, and the lack of balance in an accident increases the risk of injury. The following are some of the common injuries that happen to the human body in a motorcycle accident:
Road Rash
It is rare to see an experienced motorcycle rider without long pants and a long-sleeved jacket. They know even a minor spill can create a case of road rash, even with the protective clothing. When the skin comes in contact with pavement or asphalt, the friction causes the skin to rub off. Any kid who scraps their knees in the playground is familiar with this injury, but with a motorcycle rider, the road rash can go deeper and over larger portions of the body.
Road rash can affect any part of the body that comes in contact with the road, including the face. Recovery might also require skin grafts.
Cuts or Lacerations
Along with road rash, deeper cuts and lacerations are also common in a motorcycle accident, especially if the rider tumbles onto gravel, small rocks, broken glass, or any other debris on the road. These cuts can require stitches and leave behind scars.
Broken Bones
The force of a body hitting the road at a high speed can result in a break or fracture to the bone at the point of impact. That can leave the rider with a broken kneecap, collar bone, rib, ankle, wrist, foot, arm, or leg. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, some fractures might take up to a year to heal completely.
Bruising and Internal Bleeding
Bruising is a common type of injury in a motorcycle accident. It is a rupture in the blood vessels of the skin. A bruise can be sore to the touch for several days. It might also be an indication of internal bleeding. That would require immediate life-saving surgery. It is one of the many reasons why a motorcyclist needs to be checked out by a doctor.
Skull Fractures
After getting hit by a car and flying off the bike, it is hard to imagine a rider that doesn’t strike their head against the ground. That is why experienced riders will always wear a helmet. Kentucky law states that any motorcycle rider under the age of 21 or with less than one year of riding experience must wear a helmet.
Unfortunately, even with a helmet, that force of impact can still lead to a skull fracture and possibly a traumatic brain injury.
Death
All the potential trauma from a motorcycle accident can also lead to death. In fact, in a collision between a motorcycle and a car, it is much more likely the cyclist will suffer a fatality.
Long-Lasting Effects of a Motorcycle Accident
The long-term effects of a motorcycle accident can be traumatic and cause significant disruption to the victim’s life. Some of these effects include the following:
- Chronic pain
- Reduced mobility
- Scarring
- Cognitive impairment
- Psychological trauma
- Financial strain
If you are the victim of a motorcycle accident, it is these lasting consequences that are the reason you need to speak to skilled attorneys like the ones you’ll find working at McCoy & Hiestand, PLC. We provide the right type of counseling for these incidents that can help you decide on the best course of action for seeking compensation.
No matter how severe the accident is, you are entitled to a fair remedy from the person who was responsible for the accident. Getting this support can go a long way towards improving your recovery.
