Motorcycle accidents are widely seen as some of the most gruesome that a person can suffer. Because motorcyclists are unprotected in a collision, they suffer intense bodily trauma which results in terrible injuries. At Litster Frost Injury Lawyers, our team of motorcycle accident attorneys in Boise, Idaho have helped many men and women obtain compensation following a crash. Below, we look at 4 of the more serious injuries people suffer in a crash.
Fractured Pelvis
A pelvic fracture is a common injury in motorcycle accidents because of the position of the cyclist, who is seated at impact. Trauma can cause fractures to the hip bones, coccyx, or sacrum. Common symptoms of a pelvic fracture include pain and difficulty walking. Sometimes, a person’s leg will be at an awkward angle, a sure sign of a fracture.
Treatment varies depending on the seriousness of the fracture and displacement of bones. Some people need an external fixation to keep bones in place, which can make daily living and sleep almost impossible.
Road Rash
Road rash is a type of abrasion or friction burn that people suffer in motorcycle accidents when exposed skin slides along the asphalt. Unsurprisingly, this scraping ends up damaging the skin, and in extreme cases, all layers can be “peeled back” to expose the underlying tissue. Road rash often leads to infection as dirt and germs are introduced into the bloodstream.
Serious road rash often requires skin grafts to close the open wound, and grafts can lead to permanent scars. If a person suffers an infection, they will need immediate treatment to keep it from spreading.
Biker’s Arm
Biker’s arm is the name given to injury to any of the nerves in the arm following a motorcycle accident. The natural human instinct in the moments before a crash is to brace the body with an arm. This arm then strikes the vehicle or the motorcyclist lands on it.
The traumatic impact ends up damaging nerves. Common symptoms include weakness and/or numbness in the shoulder or hands. A victim may also feel a throbbing or burning sensation anywhere along the arm.
Sometimes, biker’s arm can slowly heal without much treatment—pain management and rest are key. Others could suffer from pain and weakness for years or require surgery to fix a damaged nerve.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A person’s head is very vulnerable in a collision. A motorcyclist can slam it on the ground when they are thrown clear of their bike, or it might snap back and forth violently. Either way, many bikers suffer from a traumatic brain injury.
With moderate or severe injuries, there is a high risk of the victim blacking out and remaining unconscious for minutes or even hours. If they awaken, they can suffer from confusion, convulsions, impaired memory, and slurred speech. Other TBIs impair coordination or movement.
The Centers for Disease Control found that helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%. However, even someone wearing a helmet can suffer a TBI.
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Our Boise, Idaho motorcycle accident lawyers can assist a claim for compensation. Schedule a free consultation with us today!
