Riding the road on a motorcycle offers a feeling of freedom. That open-air experience and connection to the road can be exhilarating. However, those very things are what make motorcycle accidents far more serious than car accidents. Because motorcycles aren’t enclosed vehicles, injuries to motorcyclists can be extremely serious and even fatal.
Operating a motorcycle in Orange County can be dangerous, and our California motorcycle accident lawyers know that it can take a long time to recover from a crash. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the most common motorcycle crash injuries and how we can help you after the accident.
Motorcycle Crashes: the Most Common Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can cause devastating, life-altering injuries. Without the protective frame and airbags that cars provide, riders often suffer serious bodily harm in collisions. These injuries frequently lead to extensive medical treatment, time away from work, and significant pain and suffering. The most common body injuries in a motorcycle accident include the following:
Head and Brain Injuries
Even with a helmet, your head remains vulnerable in a motorcycle accident. The force of impact can cause the brain to collide with the inside of the skull, resulting in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These injuries range from mild concussions to severe brain damage and can affect cognitive function, memory, and emotion.
It’s possible that a brain injury won’t present right after an accident. It may take weeks before you begin to experience dizziness, mood changes, and headaches. That’s why it’s critical to get an early medical evaluation to help with the delayed onset of symptoms—especially if you feel fine at first. A neurological exam can help identify possible issues before they get worse.
Internal Injuries and Chest Pain
Chest pain after a motorcycle accident often signals serious internal injuries. The impact can cause broken ribs, lung damage, or injuries to the heart or other organs. These injuries may be life-threatening if you don’t get prompt treatment.
During a crash, the motorcyclist may be thrown against the handlebars or onto the pavement, causing blunt force trauma to the chest. This trauma can lead to internal bleeding that isn't immediately visible. Watch for symptoms like difficulty breathing, bruising, or persistent pain that doesn't improve.
If you experience chest pain after the crash, emergency care is critical. Diagnostic tests like CT scans can reveal internal injuries that aren't apparent from the outside. Prompt treatment improves your chances of a full recovery and prevents complications that could arise from untreated injuries.
Injuries to the Knee and Lower Extremity
A knee injury after a motorcycle accident is very common since your legs are often the first point of contact during a crash. Knees absorb significant force, resulting in torn ligaments, shattered kneecaps, or complex fractures that require surgical repair.
Lower extremity injuries often lead to long recovery periods and may permanently affect your mobility. Many riders require physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion. In severe cases, multiple surgeries might be necessary to repair damaged joints and bones.
If you suffer a knee injury during the accident, it’s important to follow your doctor's rehabilitation plan to help ensure maximum recovery. Don't rush back to normal activities before your medical team confirms you're ready.
Road Rash
When skin contacts the road surface during a slide, "road rash" may occur. Road rash can range from minor scrapes to deep wounds that expose underlying tissue and lead to serious infections.
Proper treatment of road rash involves thorough cleaning to remove embedded dirt and debris. Larger abrasions may require medical attention to prevent infection and minimize scarring. Changing dressings regularly and watching for signs of infection is essential during the healing process.
Broken or Fractured Bones
Many riders in a crash suffer a broken or fractured bone. Common fractures after motorcycle accidents include femurs, forearms, shins, and pelvis bones.
Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
The spine is vulnerable to damage in motorcycle accidents, potentially resulting in herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or, in severe cases, partial or complete paralysis. Even relatively minor back injuries can cause chronic pain that affects your quality of life.
Back injuries often require extensive rehabilitation and may prevent you from working or enjoying activities you once loved. Some injuries necessitate surgical intervention, while others respond to conservative treatments like physical therapy and pain management techniques.
Long-term care for spinal injuries can be extremely expensive. Our California motorcycle accident lawyers can help you secure compensation that accounts for both immediate and future medical needs related to your spinal injury.
How Case Barnett Law Can Help With Your Motorcycle Accident Claim
After suffering bodily injuries in a motorcycle accident, focusing on your recovery should be your primary concern. At Case Barnett Law, our qualified California motorcycle accident lawyers can handle the legal aspects of your case while you heal, including the following:
We Document Your Injuries
A lawyer helps gather and preserve evidence of your injuries through medical records, expert testimony, and photographic documentation. This evidence helps establish the link between the accident and your injuries, which is crucial for your claim.
We work with medical professionals to fully understand the extent of your injuries and their long-term implications. This thorough evaluation helps ensures that your claim accounts for all current and future medical needs related to the accident.
We Calculate Fair Compensation
Insurance companies often undervalue motorcycle accident claims, especially those involving serious injuries. An experienced lawyer knows how to calculate fair compensation that includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Our attorneys consider both economic damages (quantifiable costs like medical bills) and non-economic damages (subjective costs like pain and suffering). This comprehensive approach helps ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve rather than accepting an inadequate settlement.
We Communicate and Negotiate With Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters use various tactics to minimize payouts to injured motorcyclists. Your lawyer understands these strategies and knows how to counter them effectively during negotiations, protecting your right to fair compensation.
An attorney handles all communication with insurance companies, preventing you from making statements that could harm your claim. This professional representation levels the playing field and increases your chances of securing a favorable settlement.
We Can Take Your Case to Trial
While most motorcycle accident claims settle out of court, sometimes litigation becomes necessary to obtain fair compensation. Our qualified California motorcycle accident lawyers prepare your case as if it will go to trial, creating leverage during settlement negotiations.
If your case does proceed to court, your attorney presents compelling evidence and arguments to support your claim. This trial preparation demonstrates to insurance companies that you're serious about receiving fair compensation for your injuries.
Call Us After Your Motorcycle Crash
A motorcycle accident can change your life in an instant, and we understand how difficult the recovery period can be. Read our case results to see how we’ve helped other motorcyclists like you, and then contact our skilled lawyers at Case Barnett Law.