Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

Key Takeaways:

• Motorcycle crashes often cause head, neck, spine, bone, skin, and internal injuries.
• California requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets.
• Protective gear can reduce harm, but it cannot prevent every injury.
• Medical records, photos, witness statements, police reports, and damaged gear can help support a claim.

Motorcycle accidents can cause injuries because riders have little protection from the road, vehicles, and fixed objects. Even with protective gear, a rider can be thrown from the motorcycle or dragged across the pavement. When another driver causes a crash, California law may allow the injured rider to seek compensation.

What Head and Brain Injuries Can Happen in a Motorcycle Accident?

Head and brain injuries are among the most serious motorcycle accident injuries. A rider may suffer a concussion, skull fracture, brain bleed, or traumatic brain injury. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory problems, or sensitivity to light.

If a rider were not wearing a helmet, the insurance company may argue that the head injury would have been worse otherwise. That does not automatically prevent a claim.

How Serious Are Neck and Spinal Cord Injuries?

A motorcycle crash can put heavy force on the neck, back, and spine. Riders may suffer whiplash, herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, nerve damage, or spinal cord trauma. Severe spinal injuries can cause paralysis. Pain, numbness, weakness, tingling, or loss of movement should be checked quickly.

Why Are Broken Bones Common in Motorcycle Crashes?

Broken bones are common because riders often absorb the impact force directly. A crash may fracture the hands, wrists, arms, ribs, collarbone, pelvis, legs, ankles, feet, or face. Some fractures heal with rest. Others require surgery or therapy.

What Are Road Rash and Soft-Tissue Injuries?

“Road rash” happens when skin scrapes across pavement. Severe cases can damage deep layers of skin and tissue, causing infection, scarring, nerve damage, and lasting sensitivity. “Soft-tissue” injuries may include sprains, strains, torn ligaments, bruising, and muscle damage. These injuries can limit movement and cause ongoing pain.

Can Motorcycle Accidents Cause Internal Injuries?

Yes. A motorcycle crash can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, abdominal trauma, chest injuries, or lung injuries. These injuries may not be obvious but can become life-threatening. A rider should get medical attention after a crash, especially with stomach pain, chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, or worsening pain.

How Does California Law Affect Motorcycle Injury Claims?

California follows “comparative fault” rules. More than one person can share responsibility for a crash. If a rider is partly at fault, compensation may be reduced by that percentage. Insurance companies may review speed, lane position, helmet use, visibility, traffic conditions, and whether the other driver had time to react. Photos, medical records, witness information, and damaged gear can help protect a claim.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What should I do after a motorcycle accident?

Get medical care, call the police, take photos, if possible, collect witness information, keep your damaged gear, and avoid detailed insurance statements before understanding your rights.

What if I were not wearing a helmet?

You may still have a claim. However, if you suffered a head or brain injury, the insurance company may argue that helmet use should affect the case value.

Do I need a lawyer for a motorcycle accident injury claim?

You may need a lawyer if your injuries are serious, fault is disputed, the insurance company blames you, or the crash affected your work or medical care.

Our Skilled San Bernardino County Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Lerner, Moore, Silva, Cunningham & Rubel Help Injured Riders Get Compensation for Motorcycle Crash Injuries

Motorcycle accident injuries can affect your health, work, and independence. Our San Bernardino County motorcycle accident lawyers at Lerner, Moore, Silva, Cunningham & Rubel can help you understand your options. For a free consultation, call us today at 909-889-1131 or complete our online form. With office locations in Ontario and Victorville, California, we proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.