The most common motorcycle accident injuries include road rash, broken bones, head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, back injuries, and internal organ damage. Many riders have little protection during a crash, which can make even a low-speed collision serious.
Medical bills, missed income, and ongoing treatment can create additional challenges during recovery. If another driver caused the crash, our Long Island motorcycle accident lawyer will handle the insurance company and pursue damages for all your injuries and losses.
Common Types of Injuries Riders Suffer in Motorcycle Crashes
Nearly any part of the body is at risk of injury in a crash for motorcyclists.
Below are some of the injuries commonly reported after motorcycle crashes:
Road Rash
Road rash occurs when a rider slides across the pavement after a crash. Minor cases involve scrapes and skin irritation. In more serious cases, multiple layers of skin are removed, exposing underlying tissue. Severe road rash may require skin grafts, surgery, and treatment to reduce the risk of infection.
Broken Bones
When motorcyclists instinctively try to brace themselves during a fall, they can suffer fractures that affect their arms, wrists, hands, shoulders, legs, ankles, and ribs. Some broken bones heal within a few months. Others require surgery, physical therapy, or long-term treatment.
Head Injuries and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Riders are at risk of suffering head injuries in a crash, even if they are wearing a helmet. A traumatic brain injury, called a TBI, may result from a direct blow to the head or violent movement during the collision.
Symptoms can range from headaches and dizziness to memory problems and cognitive difficulties. A person affected by a severe brain injury may have trouble working, performing daily activities, or living independently.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The spine can suffer significant damage during a crash. In some cases, spinal cord injuries lead to partial or complete paralysis. Chronic pain, limited mobility, numbness, or weakness are other conditions that injured riders can experience as they recover.
Treatment typically includes hospital care, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and ongoing medical care.
Neck and Back Injuries
Motorcycle crashes frequently place stress on the neck and back. Riders can suffer herniated discs, soft tissue damage, muscle strains, ligament injuries, and vertebral fractures.
Some of these injuries can heal and improve over time. Others can continue to cause pain and physical limitations for years.
Internal Injuries
The force of a collision can damage organs and cause bleeding inside the body. These injuries are especially serious because symptoms may not always appear right after a crash. The liver, spleen, kidneys, and lungs are all at risk in a crash.
Emergency medical treatment is often necessary to prevent life-threatening complications.
Injuries to the Legs, Knees, and Feet
Motorcycles can fall onto the rider’s legs, or another vehicle may strike the lower portion of the bike. As a result, injuries to the knees, feet, ankles, and legs are common. Some riders require surgery, braces, mobility devices, or extensive rehabilitation.
Emotional and Psychological Injuries
Many riders experience the emotional consequences of a crash, too. These may include anxiety, depression, fear of riding again, sleep problems, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Recovery may involve counseling, therapy, medication, or a combination of these treatments. The cost of mental health care can add up over time, especially when symptoms continue long after the physical injuries begin to heal.
Why Motorcycle Crashes Cause Severe Accident Injuries
Motorcycles do not offer riders many of the protections that passenger vehicles have. There are no seat belts, airbags, or metal frames that can shield them from the elements.
When a collision occurs, riders may be thrown from the motorcycle or strike another vehicle, the roadway, or even nearby objects. Even riders who wear helmets and other protective gear can suffer major injuries.
The force of impact from a crash often affects several parts of the body at the same time, leading to lengthy recovery periods and expensive medical care.
What Should You Do if You Get Hurt in a Motorcycle Crash?
Seeking medical attention should be a priority after a crash. Medical records can help document the connection between the crash and your injuries. Following treatment recommendations and attending follow-up appointments may also help support your claim.
It may also be helpful to report the accident, preserve photographs and evidence, keep records of medical expenses, save documentation of lost income, and speak with a lawyer before accepting a settlement offer.
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How Our Injury Lawyer Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident
Injured riders may have a long list of concerns after an accident. Medical treatment may begin right away, and many people quickly discover that insurance claims can be difficult to handle on their own.
Our Long Island personal injury lawyer helps clients with issues such as:
- Investigating how the crash happened and why
- Collecting police reports and medical records
- Speaking with people who saw the accident
- Reviewing photos, videos, and other evidence
- Handling communications with the insurance company
- Calculating accident-related damages
- Negotiating settlement offers
- Filing a lawsuit when necessary
Insurance companies often look closely at motorcycle accident claims. They may question how the crash occurred or dispute the extent of the injury. Having legal representation can help protect your claim and allow you to focus on your recovery.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Injury Lawsuit in New York?
New York generally gives injured accident victims three years to file most personal injury lawsuits, per NY CPLR § 214(5). People who want to file a wrongful death lawsuit must do so within two years from a loved one’s death date under NY EPT § 5-4.1.
Both case types require filing the lawsuit on time. Missing a filing deadline can affect your ability to seek damages. An attorney from our firm will explain which deadlines apply to your case and protect your right to seek damages.
Can You Recover Damages for a Motorcycle Accident Injury?
If another party caused the crash, you may be able to seek damages for losses connected to the accident.
Depending on the facts of the case, damages may include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
Get Answers About Motorcycle Accident Injuries and Your Rights
Recovering from a motorcycle collision can be difficult for injured riders and their families. Medical treatment, time away from work, and ongoing pain can create disruptions that take months or years to recover from.
Dealing with insurers who don’t want to pay can add more stress. Levine And Wiss helps people pursue the damages they deserve and has recovered hundreds of millions for clients while serving thousands of clients over 15 years in business.
When you hire us, you get experienced attorneys, in-house investigators, and paralegals working under partner supervision, as well as a dedicated staff that handles cases from beginning to end. We are available 24/7 and return phone calls. We are ready to fight for you. Call for a free consultation. There are no upfront fees, and we get paid only if you win.
