Posted in Brain Injury,Motorcycle Accidents,Spinal Cord Injury on March 6, 2024
Motorcyclists are more likely to sustain serious bodily injuries in the event they are involved in a collision. Unfortunately, without much protection from the force of a vehicle or from an impact with other objects, the likelihood of severe trauma significantly increases. Here, want to examine the seven regions of the body most likely to sustain injuries as a result of a motorcycle collision.
1. Head and Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions are prevalent among motorcyclists due to direct impacts to the head. Even with helmet use, the force exerted during a collision can result in skull fractures, intracranial hemorrhages, and diffuse axonal injuries, leading to long-term cognitive and sensory impairments.
2. Lower Extremities
The legs and feet frequently incur injuries in motorcycle accidents. Tibial fractures, fibular fractures, and injuries to the femur are common due to the legs being trapped or struck, as these are sometimes the first areas of the body to come in contact with the pavement or a fixed object when a collision occurs. Complications may include compartment syndrome and the necessity for surgical intervention to realign and stabilize the bones.
3. Upper Extremities
Injuries to the arms, hands, and shoulders occur as riders instinctively extend their arms to brace for impact. This can lead to complex fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries such as brachial plexus avulsions, requiring comprehensive orthopedic and sometimes neurosurgical management to handle nerve damage.
4. Thoracic Injuries
The thorax, or chest area, is susceptible to blunt force trauma, leading to rib fractures, pneumothorax (collapsed lung), and cardiac contusions. These conditions necessitate immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications such as hemothorax and cardiac tamponade. Unfortunately, thoracic injuries often do not display symptoms until hours after the incident occurs.
5. Abdominal Injuries
The abdomen houses multiple vital organs vulnerable to traumatic injury during a motorcycle accident. Splenic lacerations, liver contusions, and renal injuries are among the critical conditions that may manifest, posing significant risk for internal bleeding and requiring urgent surgical evaluation. Similar to thoracic injuries, it can take hours for symptoms of abdominal injuries to become noticeable.
6. Spinal Cord Injuries
The spinal cord’s crucial role in neurological function makes injuries in this region particularly devastating. Vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord trauma in the US, according to information from the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), and those riding a motorcycle at the time of an incident face significantly increased risks of spinal cord trauma. Vertebral fractures and spinal cord contusions can result in permanent paralysis, necessitating lifelong care and rehabilitation to manage the resultant loss of motor and sensory functions.
7. Pelvic Injuries
The pelvic region, when subjected to high-impact forces, can sustain fractures and dislocations that impair mobility and necessitate surgical intervention. Injuries to pelvic organs and vessels also present serious risk, requiring multidisciplinary management to address urogenital trauma and prevent hemorrhagic shock.
After a Collision – Seek Legal Help
You may need to seek assistance from a motorcycle accident lawyer in Long Beach. If the careless or negligent actions of another party caused your motorcycle accident injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. An attorney can help you delve through the insurance processes and even file a lawsuit on your behalf if needed.