May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and ER Injury Attorneys is highlighting the most common motorcycle accident injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 5,000 people are killed in motorcycle accidents in the United States each year. In Nevada, from 2015 to 2019, there were 293 fatal motorcycle accidents and Clark County has the highest rate of fatal motorcycle accidents. Along with that, there are 80,000 motorcycle collisions each year in the United States.
In this blog, we’ll break down the most common motorcycle injuries and review the legal options we can help with.
#5: Neck and Spine Injuries
Injuries to the neck and spine are common in motorcycle accidents. Neck and spine injuries from motorcycle accidents can range from simple sore neck or whiplash to life-threatening or deadly injuries like paralysis. Other spine and neck injuries common in motorcycle accidents include:
- Fractured vertebrae
- Herniated discs
- Soft tissue damage to the muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons of the neck/spine
These injuries can also cause chronic pain, poor balance, vertigo, dizziness, and migraines. Often, neck spine injuries may require physical therapy or surgical intervention.
#4: Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Both head and traumatic brain injuries are common in car crashes involving a motorcycle. While there is no way to completely prevent these injuries during an accident, properly-fitted helmets can reduce the risk and severity of head and brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the leading cause of death in motorcycle fatalities. Not all TBIs result in death, but can cause lifelong physical and emotional disabilities.
| Related topic: How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Traumatic Brain Injury?
#3:Thoracic Injuries
The thorax, or the chest, is especially vulnerable to injuries in motorcycle crashes. Injuries to the thorax can be either internal or external. These injuries can be serious and sometimes fatal. Common types of thoracic injuries sustained in a motorcycle accidents include:
- Broken ribs, which can lead to abdomen, kidney, liver, or sleep injuries
- Collapsed, punctured, or bruised lungs
- Torn aorta
#2: Upper Extremity Injuries
The upper extremities include the shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands. Injuries to this area of the body are some of the most prevalent in Las Vegas motorcycle accidents. Upper extremity injuries include dislocations and fractures of the arms, shoulders, and hands. Unlike head or spine injuries, these are less likely to be fatal, but they may need surgery or physical therapy. These injuries can also lead to loss of function or chronic pain.
To help prevent injuries to the upper extremities, especially lacerations to the arms, wear a leather motorcycle jacket.
#1: Lower Extremity Injuries
The most common type of injury in motorcycle accidents are lower extremity injuries which includes the hips, legs, and feet. Injuries to this part of the body in motorcycle accidents includes fractures and other injuries of the following areas:
- Tibia and fibula
- Pelvic bone
- Knee
- Femur
- Ankles
- Feet
These injuries can be severe and might require extensive physical therapy and potentially debilitating chronic pain.
| Related topic: Can You Get Compensation for Bone Fractures and Breaks?
Legal Options After a Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident
After an accident, your first priority should always be taking care of your health and wellbeing. But when someone else’s negligence is responsible for your injuries—whether that be the driver of another car, truck, or motorcycle—it’s crucial that you understand your legal right to compensation.
You may be dealing with a lengthy hospital stay, multiple procedures or surgeries, and wondering how you’re going to pay for it all, especially if you can’t return to work. Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance is the first step, but it’s possible that what the car insurance company offers you is far less than what your case is worth. Some insurance companies may try to deny your claim altogether.
How ER Injury Attorneys Can Help
If an insurance company is attempting to deny your claim or pay you less, you need the help of an experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer. ER Injury Attorneys have decades of expertise in both court and out of court negotiating reasonable settlements for personal injury clients. Our staff is dedicated to helping our clients get results.
If you’re ready to find out more about filing a claim, contact ER Injury Attorneys by calling 702-878-7878. Or, get in touch with one of our LiveChat agents who are standing by. You can also request your complimentary case review online by filling out this form.