Riding a motorcycle comes with inherent risks. That’s a given. Working through the possibilities of injury takes an understanding of the extent of those injuries and how to care for them. While not every motorcycle crash results in severe injuries, it always helps to be aware of your legal rights in the event of an injury.
Head Injuries: The Most Common and Serious Risk
Head injuries are unfortunately the most common outcome in motorcycle accidents, largely due to riders not wearing helmets. While helmets significantly reduce the risk of fatal injuries, many riders still choose to ride without them. In Nevada, the law requires helmets for both riders and passengers.
Head injuries occur partially from the force applied to cranium but also from the sudden stops and starts that impact the spine and literally slam the brain into the skull. Even at low speeds head trauma can occur.
Note, if you’re involved in a crash without a helmet, this doesn’t automatically make you responsible for your head injuries. Talk to one of our REAL motorcycle injury lawyers for legal advice on this important subject.
Road Rash: More Than Just Scrapes
Often underestimated, road rash is a severe injury that goes beyond superficial scrapes. It can lead to infections, nerve damage, and permanent scarring. The extreme form, known as “degloving,” occurs when skin is torn away from the limb, resulting in traumatic injuries that take extensive surgery to even start to repair.
Muscle Damage: A Prevalent Issue
Muscle damage is almost unavoidable due to the impact during an accident and from repetitive stress injuries suffered by frequent riders. The effects of muscle damage can range from full recovery with medical treatment to long-term complications (chronic pain, limited movement) that impact daily life.
Biker’s Arm: A Protective Reflex with Consequences
Biker’s arm happens when a rider instinctively uses their arms to break a fall, leading to injuries such as torn ligaments, broken bones, and nerve damage. This instinctive reaction to protect the head not only results in significant arm injuries but does little to help with concussions or injuries affecting the neck.
Broken Legs: A Vulnerability for Riders
Riders’ legs are more exposed than car drivers, making broken legs a likely injury in crashes. In addition to the risks of breaking a leg from a fall or an impact, there is also the possibility of being pinned under the bike. These injuries can be complex, involving damage to bones, muscles, veins, and nerves, and can sometimes result in a motorcyclist being unable to ride again.
Your Injuries Are Not Your Fault
Remember that being injured in a motorcycle crash is not your fault. Insurance companies may try to shift the blame to you, citing reasons like assumed risk, not wearing protective gear, or not taking steps to mitigate injuries. These arguments are often used to avoid fair compensation. You have a right to safety and security on the road, and you are not responsible for violations of these rights by others.
For more information about your legal options in the wake of a motorcycle crash, contact an attorney at Clear Counsel Law Group. We’re here to offer guidance and support in trying times.