When you imagine riding a motorcycle, you often envision zooming down a long and windy beach road, with the sunset on the horizon. What you don’t envision is getting into a serious accident and suffering traumatic injuries.
Given the dangerous nature of motorcycles, accidents are prevalent amongst riders. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,668 motorcyclists were killed in 2013. Moreover, each year thousands of people are severely injured as a result of serious motorcycle accidents. In fact, motorcycle riders are 26 times more likely to die in an accident than an automobile accident victim, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Although some injuries are minor, many of them are catastrophic, life altering, and potentially fatal.
Below are five life altering injuries commonly suffered by motorcycle accident victims:
- Brain injuries. One of the most common injuries suffered by motorcycle accident victims is brain injury. A brain injury can range from minor concussions to hemorrhaging, brain bleeds, and partial to complete cognitive loss. Any injury to the brain can significantly impact all aspects of the victim’s life and the lives of his or her loved ones.
- Damage to the eyes and blindness. The eyes are very vulnerable, especially in a motorcycle accident where flying debris can cause serious injuries. Without proper safety gear, such as goggles or helmets that cover the entire face, the eyes can suffer serious injuries during a motorcycle crash.
- Broken bones and amputations. Since motorcyclists are not protected by metal casings, such as those found in automobiles, they can easily be thrown off their bike in an accident. Such falls can easily facture or break the motorcyclist’s limbs and even result in an amputation.
- Back and spinal cord injuries. Even the slightest impact can throw a motorcyclist off the bike and cause him or her to land on his or her back. This can leave the rider with a crushed, severed, twisted or broken back. Such injuries can significantly impact the victim, as most result in paralysis.
- Death. Statistics show that more than 5,000 motorcyclists are seriously injured and ultimately die each year in accidents.
Important Tips to Avoid Serious Injuries Resulting from a Motorcycle Accident
In order to avoid the potential injuries listed above, it is best to take certain precautionary measures while riding your motorcycle, including:
- Paying attention to the road
- Taking road and weather conditions into consideration
- Driving within safe speed limits
- Wearing protective give (which includes a safe, tight-fitting helmet, leather jacket, and leather pants)
- Attending a safety training course
In some situations, even if the rider takes all necessary precaution, the accident may nevertheless occur, causing serious injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to know your rights and to take certain steps to ensure that you obtain the full compensation that you deserve. For more information or to consult with one of our experienced New York motorcycle accident attorneys, please call Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-800-529-9997.
