Any vehicle collision has the potential to cause injuries, but accidents where a motorcycle is involved have a significantly higher chance of causing injuries. Despite efforts by both private and public agencies to raise awareness about the presence of motorcycles, motorcycle are still disproportionately involved in accidents. Driver’s of vehicles that have been involved in accidents with motorcycles consistently claim that they did not see the motorcycle prior to the accident. As a result, bikers suffer some of the most serious injuries of all vehicle accident victims.
Due to the very nature of a motorcycle, the riders are at a much higher risk of suffering serious or even fatal injuries when involved in an accident. Unlike passenger vehicles, motorcycles offer absolutely no protection form collisions. While there is a huge assortment and variety of safety and protective equipment available for motorcycle enthusiasts, none of it takes the place of steel between the victim and an oncoming vehicle. Helmets clearly reduce the risk of serious head injuries, but cannot prevent them entirely. As a result, head injuries are one of the most common and serious injuries suffered by bikers involved in an accident. Head injuries can range from a minor concussion to serious or life-threatening brain injuries. The human skull is designed to protect the brain, but when the head is hit hard enough the skull can fracture. In addition, when the brain is jarred inside the skull it can also cause serious damage and brain trauma.
Spine injuries are another common injury suffered by victims of motorcycle accidents. The spinal cord serves many purposes within the human body. Its primary purpose is to protect the nerves that run from the brain to the rest of the body. Those nerves carry signals and messages from the brain telling the body what to do. When the spinal cord is damaged it can result in permanent partial or total paralysis.
Fractures and road rash are also common in motorcycle accident victims. While human bones are incredibly strong for their size, and impact with another vehicle-or even with the pavement-can cause them to fracture. While road rash is generally the least serious injury suffered in a motorcycle accident, road rash can be severe and very painful. If not treated properly it can also lead to infection or permanent scarring.
Although occupants of passenger vehicles frequently are involved in an accident without suffering any significant injury, a biker is rarely as lucky. To make matters worse, statistics show that the majority of the time the biker is not at fault in the accident. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and have suffered any injuries as a result, the chances are good that the accident was not your fault. If the other driver was at fault, or negligent, then you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries as well as for the damages to your motorcycle.
For a free and detailed evaluation of your potential motorcycle accident case, contact the motorcycle accident law firm of Ledger & Associates. The firm may be reached online at www.ledgerlaw.com or by telephone at 1-800-300-0001.
