For motorcycle enthusiasts, there’s not much better than the revving of the engine and the feeling of raw horsepower beneath you. When the open road calls, it’s hard not to answer. But motorcycle drivers and their passengers continue to be one of the most vulnerable populations on the road to encounter vehicle accidents, injuries and fatalities.
According to the latest Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FHSMV) Florida Traffic Crash Statistics Summary, the state saw a 1.27 percent increase in motorcycle crashes from 2015 to 2016. Injuries resulting from these accidents also rose, up from 8,231 recorded injuries in 2015 to 8,256 injuries in 2016. Unlike other automobiles, motorcycles lack the inherent safety features of standard four-wheel cars, including seatbelts, a full-body metal frame and airbags. In this article, we bring light to three of the most common injuries that result from motorcycle accidents.
Head Trauma
Florida’s motorcycle helmet law requires anyone under 21 years of age to wear a helmet and any other protective headgear. The effects of a motorcycle accident on the head and brain can be devastating and even fatal when a helmet is not worn. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS – HLDI) estimates helmets are about 37 percent effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and about 67 percent effective in preventing brain injuries.
Some of the most common head injuries from a motorcycle accident are:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Concussion
- Brain bleed/hemorrhage
- Skull fracture
- Injuries to the face and neck
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Road Rash
Road rash is an abrasive skin injury caused by the body forcibly skidding on asphalt and can occur just about anywhere on the body, particularly where skin is exposed. Road rash injury from a motorcycle accident can range from mild to severe and is measured similarly to degrees of burn severity.
First-degree road rash: Superficial redness of the outermost layer of skin, similar to a first-degree burn.
Second-degree road rash: Abrasion to the skin causing an open wound with bleeding, redness and swelling. Muscles and nerves may be exposed, causing pain. Medical treatment should be sought for second-degree road rash.
Third-degree road rash: Deep wound to the dermis, causing bleeding and swelling from skin being forcibly peeled away, exposing muscles, nerves, and possibly bone. Seek medical attention immediately. Permanent scarring is common following third-degree road rash.
Fractures/Broken Bones
In addition to head trauma and road rash, broken and fractured bones are a common motorcycle accident injury. When the force of impact of a person’s body on the road is so great, bones are susceptible to fractures and breaks. Arm, leg, pelvis and hip bone fractures/breaks can be particularly painful and require medical attention to effectively evaluate and treat the injury.
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Always Wear Your Helmet and Other Protective Gear When Riding
Motorcycles are less visible to cars and with their high-speed performance, the injuries riders are susceptible to can be devastating. Because motorcycles are exempt from personal injury protection insurance benefits, it’s important to seek legal counsel if you or a loved one are injured in a motorcycle accident. The motorcycle accident attorneys at the Law Offices of SKG can help you obtain the compensation you are entitled to for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact our offices online for a free case evaluation or call us directly at (800) 350-FIRM.
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