Motorcycle crashes are more dangerous than other types of traffic accidents. It’s because motorcyclists are more vulnerable to the dangers on the road compared to passengers of private vehicles.

According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics, motorcycle riders have 16 times the risk of injury and 35 times the risk of a fatal crash compared to car passengers.

California has the largest number of registered motorcycles in the country. Approximately 800,000 motorcycles are currently registered in California. In 2017 alone, 16,505 motorcycle crashes resulted in 15,527 injuries and 541 deaths in California. Here are the most common motorcycle crashes injuries that victims frequently sustain:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Motorcycle crashes victims often get this if they ride their motorcycles without a helmet. But in some cases, some motorcycle riders still get TBI even while wearing a helmet. However, wearing helmets can significantly reduce the chances of getting a fatal brain injury. Serious brain injuries often result in permanent disability, which can cause either difficulty in speaking, cognitive problems, and coordination issues. This can also cause memory loss and amnesia.

Burn Injuries

 Like the majority of other vehicles, motorcycles run on flammable liquids and materials. A serious collision may cause fires which can severely burn the riders. The severity of the burn injury may vary depending on how bad the collision is. Some motorcycle riders get third-gree burns which can reach deep into soft tissue and result in permanent disfigurement. In some cases, doctors recommend amputating the limbs if the severe burn causes other major health problems.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord is an essential part of the human body. It is responsible for transmitting nerve impulses from the brain to the rest of the body. Victims are diagnosed with spinal cord injuries when the vertebral column suffers damage. This type of injury may cause partial to total paralysis. It can be extremely expensive to treat this type of injury and can even cost the victim millions of dollars in their lifetime.

Road Rash

Road rash happens when the victim’s unprotected skin comes in contact with a rough surface like pavements or asphalt. Road rash is a type of abrasion that may cause serious pain for the victims. Some victims end up hospitalized from a few days to a few weeks depending on the severity of their injuries.

Fractures and Breaks: Some victims get thrown off their motorcycles due to the severity of the impact, resulting in serious bone fractures and breaks. The most common body parts that get fractured from a motorcycle crashes are:

•       The Legs
•       The Arms
•       The Wrists

Bone fractures can range from something minor like a hairline crack to something major such as a fracture in the legs or arms.

Organ Injuries

The force from a motorcycle collision can be extreme, and victims may suffer from serious organ damage due to the collision. Organ damage may manifest itself in the form of internal bleeding. It’s dangerous because frequently, victims may not immediately feel it in the first few days. The symptoms may show up several hours after the collision.

Common symptoms of internal bleeding are

•       Severe stomach pain.
•       Numbness on one side of the body.
•       Difficulty chewing or swallowing.
•       Extreme migraines.

The symptoms may take a while to manifest themselves, which is why it is important to seek medical attention after the motorcycle crashes, even if you don’t have any physical injuries. Your doctor will be able to diagnose you properly and can potentially prevent your symptoms from worsening.

If you have been involved in major motorcycle crashes that resulted in injury, it’s best to seek the assistance of an experienced motorcycle accident injury lawyer.