Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries From Collisions With Cars

Given the lack of physical barriers compared to cars, motorcycle accidents often result in severe and life-altering injuries. Common injuries from such accidents include head and brain trauma, road rash, broken bones, spinal injuries, and amputations.

At Uptown Injury Law, PLLC, we understand the deep impact these accidents can have on your life and livelihood. If you suffer from injuries after a motorcycle crash due to someone else’s negligence, our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to assist you. Contact us at 917-540-8728 for a FREE case evaluation to know if you may qualify for a personal injury claim.

What Are the Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

There are multiple common injuries that you can suffer in motorcycle accidents, such as facial injuries, head injuries, back and neck injuries, extremity injuries, broken bones/fractures, and internal injuries. Here’s a closer look at each of these injuries:

Traumatic Brain Injury

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, there’s a chance you might suffer from a traumatic brain injury. It is a head injury that can occur due to the forceful impact on your head, whether from a collision or objects like debris penetrating your skull. Furthermore, in worst cases, even fragments of your skull can cause internal damage.

Traumatic brain injuries show the following physical and psychological symptoms:

• Seizures
• Infections
• Headaches
• Intellectual problems
• Brain death
• Coma

These symptoms may appear immediately or after some weeks.

Back and Spinal Injuries

Back and spinal injuries are a grave concern following a motorcycle accident. The sudden impact can jolt the spinal cord, causing immediate symptoms or issues that emerge days or weeks later. Moreover, high-speed encounters often affect the thoracic spine most severely, leading to potentially permanent damage.

Common back and spinal injuries from motorcycle accidents include the following:

• Lumbar spine injuries
• Thoracic injuries
• Facet joint injuries
• Lumbar sprains
• Spinal stenosis

These conditions can lead to chronic pain, significant nerve damage, and, in severe cases, paralysis.

Upper and Lower Extremities Injuries

Upper and lower extremity injuries make up 30% of non-fatal injuries in motorcycle accidents, according to the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Texas. These injuries, such as fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue damage, can significantly impact mobility and daily life. They often result from blunt force or the body being thrown during a crash and may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Moreover, the effects of lower and upper extremity injuries are not just physical but also include long-term psychological distress and financial strain due to medical bills and lost wages.

Road Rash

Road rash is the most common and painful injury from motorcycle accidents, where skin scrapes against the pavement, resulting in abrasions. These injuries vary from minor scrapes to severe wounds exposing deeper tissues. Furthermore, you might need surgical treatment to prevent infections and reduce scarring in severe cases.

Facial Injuries

Facial injuries are frequent in motorcycle accidents, especially when you are not wearing a helmet. These injuries can range from minor scrapes/bruises to severe fractures and dental damage, potentially requiring surgeries. The impact of such injuries is not only physical but can also be psychologically distressing and affect your self-esteem and quality of life.

Knee Injuries

You can sustain a knee injury if your bike lands on your knee during a motorcycle accident. Typical injuries include knee dislocations, broken patellas (kneecaps), knee sprains, tendons, and meniscus tears. These injuries are not only painful but can also severely restrict mobility.

Broken Bones or Fractures

Bone fractures are frequent and severe injuries in motorcycle accidents, including the following:

• Skull fractures
• Broken arms and legs
• Rib fractures
• Knee fractures

These critical injuries can occur due to blunt force during a crash, leading to symptoms such as severe pain, lengthy recovery periods, and, often, the need for surgical intervention. Moreover, these fractures can drastically affect your ability to perform daily activities and work, resulting in significant lifestyle changes and financial challenges.

Abdominal Injuries

Abdominal injuries are a severe consequence of motorcycle accidents, often resulting from collisions with vehicles or the road. These injuries can cause damage to internal organs, which may lead to internal bleeding and require urgent medical attention.

Moreover, there can be severe consequences of abdominal injuries, affecting bodily functions and necessitating long-term medical care. You might also face significant recovery challenges like surgeries and extensive hospital stays.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries in motorcycle accidents are hazardous because they can be hard to detect immediately. These injuries may involve damage to organs, blood vessels, or internal bleeding, often resulting from blunt trauma or penetration during a crash. Moreover, due to late diagnosis, internal injuries can be potentially life-threatening and require prompt and extensive medical treatment.

Hand and Arm Injuries

Hand and arm injuries frequently occur in motorcycle accidents, typically as riders instinctively use their arms to shield themselves during a crash. These injuries can vary widely, from minor bruises/sprains to more severe conditions like nerve damage, dislocations, or fractures.

Moreover, they can significantly affect your daily life, impairing your ability to perform basic tasks and, in some cases, impacting your professional responsibilities. Recovery from such injuries often requires surgeries, physical therapy, and prolonged rehabilitation periods.

If you suffer from such injuries, personal injury law upholds your right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, loss of companionship, permanent disability, and diminished quality of life. Contact our seasoned motorcycle accident lawyers at Uptown Injury Law, PLLC, for a FREE consultation to understand your legal rights and options.

Motorcycle and Car Collision Statistics in New York 

Recent data reveals a grim reality for motorcycle riders in the U.S. In 2022, 42,795 people were killed in traffic crashes, with motorcycle crashes accounting for about 15% (6,218 fatalities) of those deaths. 

This is particularly concerning given that motorcycles constituted only about 3% of registered vehicles that year. In New York City, where motorcycles make up just 2% of registered vehicles, they are responsible for over 14% of traffic fatalities, with the city’s fatal crash rate for motorcyclists nearly twice that of the state. 

Additionally, the most dangerous types of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with other motor vehicles. These accidents were responsible for 56.8% of motorcycle fatalities and 55.9% of injury-causing crashes in 2021. 

Below are the detailed statistics by the US Department of Transportation regarding the injuries sustained by motorcyclists annually:

Common Causes of Car and Motorcycle Crashes

Here are some causes of dangerous motorcycle and car accidents:

• Drunk Driving
• Left-Hand Turns
• Blind Spots
• Distracted Driving
• Defective Motorcycles
• Road Hazards
• Fixed Object Collisions

If you or a loved one has been in a motorcycle accident, it’s crucial to seek experienced legal representation. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney at Uptown Injury Law, PLLC, to discuss your case for FREE.

What Should You Do After a Motorcycle and Car Accident?

If you’re involved in a motorcycle and car crash, immediate action is necessary for your recovery and protection of legal rights. First and foremost, prioritize your well-being by seeking medical attention. Immediate medical care helps prevent injuries from worsening and ensures that your injuries are well-documented, linking them directly to the accident. This documentation is crucial, as insurers may question any delays in medical care and potentially doubt the severity of your injuries or suggest they were pre-existing.

Subsequently, after addressing your medical needs, you should consult with an experienced motorcycle attorney. Here’s how they can support your case:

• Provide clear instructions on the legal steps to take immediately following the accident, aligning with state-specific personal injury laws and statute of limitations.
• Gather and present critical evidence, such as witness statements, photographs of the vehicles, and any relevant surveillance footage.
• Manage all communications with insurance companies to avoid any mistakes that could jeopardize your claim.
• Strive to achieve a settlement that accurately reflects the extent of your injuries and losses.
• Represent you in court if a satisfactory settlement isn’t possible, advocating vigorously to secure the compensation you deserve.

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, our attorneys have got your back. Contact Uptown Injury Law, PLLC, for a FREE consultation. As one of the best personal injury law firms based in the Bronx, we are dedicated to ensuring you receive the maximum compensation you deserve for your damages. 

Contact Uptown Injury Law, PLLC Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Have you been in a motorcycle accident in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, or anywhere else in New York City? Uptown Injury Law, PLLC, is here to help you recover your losses. With over 15 years of dedicated service advocating for motorcycle accident victims, our team has the expertise and dedication necessary to achieve the compensation you rightfully deserve.

How We Can Support Your Case?

• Our successful track record of securing multi-million dollar settlements in motorcycle accident cases showcases our capability and dedication.
• We customize our legal strategies to meet your case’s unique challenges and needs. Our lawyers ensure you receive the focused attention you deserve.
• We aim to help you secure the maximum compensation by leveraging our years of experience.
• You’ll receive empathetic support and guidance throughout every phase of your case to help you recover.
• You won’t pay any fees unless we win your case and secure compensation.

Schedule your free case review today by calling us at 917-540-8728. 

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