According to numbers from the New York Department of Health, car accidents cause an average of an average of 136,913 emergency room visits each year. Auto accidents also claim the lives of 1,098 New York motorists annually. Those injured in auto collisions or the surviving family members of an accident victim can put their trust in our New York, NY law firm to offer expert counsel and legal advice.
Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to harm. Below we would like to consider some common types of injuries sustained by motorcyclists. When applicable, we’ll offer advice on how to protect yourself from excessive harm.
Road Rash
Road rash is probably the most well-known term associated with motorcycle accident injuries. This refers to injuries sustained when a motorcyclist skids across the road. Even if a motorcyclist is wearing proper gear, the friction caused by skidding along pavement can lead to cuts, scrapes, and bruises. Severe road rash could result in scarring and disfigurement.
The best way to protect yourself from road rash is to wear proper clothing when you are on your motorcycle. A jacket, jeans, or a full riding suit are ideal to protect yourself from road rash.
Biker’s Arm
It?s instinctual for falling people to reach out with their hands to soften a landing. As the hands make contact with the ground, they absorb a lot of the impact. If you do this during a motorcycle accident, the sheer amount of force that affects the hands and arms can be severe. Nerve damage, wrist ligament injuries, and other severe harm to the arm may occur.
Again, wearing the ride riding gear can help cushion the blow to the arm. Gloves are helpful to absorb some of the impact, as are riding suits with pads or some sort of under armor.
Leg, Ankle, and Foot Injuries
The legs, ankles, and feet are extremely prone to injury during a motorcycle accident. There?s a risk of suffering from various kinds of broken bones given the forces generated by a motorcycle accident. Matters can be worse if you have any exposed skin or your ankles do not have proper support and protection during a crash.
It?s important that motorcyclists always have sturdy boots on when they are on the road. These boots help protect the feet and ankles from serious injuries, and could mean the difference between a fracture and a sprain. Jeans or a riding suit are also helpful for protection.
Head Trauma and Brain Injuries
Even if you are wearing a motorcycle helmet, you can still suffer from serious head trauma and traumatic brain injures (TBIs). Helmets will help prevent direct impact, however, and could prevent fatal injuries or seriously debilitating brain damage. This is why you should always wear your motorcycle helmet when on your motorcycle.
Back, Neck, and Spine Injuries
Given how vulnerable motorcyclists are to trauma, it should come as no surprise that severe injuries to the back, neck, and spine are a potential danger. These kinds of injuries can result in partial or total paralysis. If an accident survivor is rendered a paraplegic or quadriplegic, they will be bound to a wheelchair for life and require assistance with even the simplest of tasks.
Injury Recovery Can Take a Long Time
Recovering from an auto accident injury can take months or even years. After undergoing emergency medical care, surgery and physical rehabilitation may be necessary to repair the damage that was done. Since these long-term medical treatments can be costly, it?s important that you hold negligent motorists liable for the harm they have caused. That?s how our lawyers can help you.
Contact Douglas & London
For more information about your legal rights after a motorcycle accident, be sure to contact an experienced injury accident attorney. We will fight for you and your legal rights every step of the way.