The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Key Takeaways

• Michigan motorcycle crashes can leave devastating, life-altering injuries. Very few accident victims walk away unscathed.
• Bikers are at higher risk for injury because motorcycles lack the protective elements of a car or truck.
• Motorists often do not see motorcycle riders, either out of carelessness or simply not paying attention to their surroundings.
• Wearing motorcycle protective gear can help reduce the severity of some injuries.
• Working with a caring and experienced Michigan motorcycle accident attorney can help you obtain the compensation you need to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages you have suffered due to an accident.

Any kind of motor vehicle accident can be tragic, but motorcycle accidents are often more so because riders and passengers do not have the same protective elements that people traveling in a car or truck do. Motorcyclists carry higher bodily risks since they lack the levels of security that larger vehicles provide.

As a result, tragically, many motorcycle collisions result in a serious injury or, worse, a fatality. Injuries are so common that very few motorcycle accident victims walk away unscathed. It can be difficult to cope with medical bills, therapy, lost wages, and loss of future income, along with bike damage.

The caring and compassionate motorcycle accident attorneys at Matz Injury Law understand the challenges you and your family are going through. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at 1-866-226-6833 or contact us online to obtain a free case evaluation.

What are the Most Common Types of Injuries for Motorcyclists?

Generally, two primary types of motorcycle injuries can result from an accident: hard injuries and soft injuries. Hard tissue generally refers to bones, including the head and the spine, whereas soft tissue is primarily muscles, ligaments, connective tissues, and tendons located in various parts of the body.

Road Rash and Abrasions

These are the most common types of injuries in motorcycle accidents because it is common for cyclists to come into immediate contact with the road, sidewalk, or another hard surface. As a result, the victim can sustain mild to severe cuts and lacerations, possibly even needing skin grafts.

Fractured or Broken Bones

Common areas of the body affected by fractured or broken bones include hands, wrists, pelvis, and shoulders. Many riders instinctively try to cover their faces or reach out, which leaves the rest of the body exposed to injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions

Usually caused when the head is struck by an object, hit with force, or experiences rapid shaking. Head injuries are serious accidents, often resulting in permanent changes to the victim’s — and their family’s — life.

Organ Damage in the Abdomen

The impact after being thrown from a motorcycle can be significant and cause damage to the liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen, and other internal organs.

Internal Bleeding

The direct trauma from being thrown from a bike can lead to substantial internal bleeding around the lungs, in the brain, in punctured organs by ribs, and the legs, if thigh fractures occur.

Neck Injuries

The blunt force trauma of being thrown to the concrete or the fast motion of a crash can leave victims with severe neck pain and injury.

Other Injuries

Riders and passengers frequently sustain injuries such as nerve damage, sprains, strains, and burns. Other common injuries can occur to the back (including herniated discs), spinal cord, upper extremity injuries, lower extremity injuries, and various types of internal injuries. Many of these injuries can cause chronic pain or permanent disability.

Unfortunately, motorcycle accident victims are very vulnerable to disfigurement, injuries resulting in amputation, and other harm that leads to life-threatening or fatal injuries.

Related Article: What Causes Motorcycle Crashes in Michigan?

What is the Most Common Injury to the Head?

TBIs are one of the most common and serious injuries that occur in both car accidents and motorcycle crashes. The odds of severe and even fatal injuries to the head increase for riders who are not wearing helmets, but a TBI can occur even when the rider is wearing a helmet.

It is common for people to suffer physical, cognitive, and emotional changes with a TBI. This type of head injury can be difficult to diagnose as symptoms may not emerge until days, weeks, or months after the TBI occurs. Concussions are considered traumatic brain injuries and should be treated with care.

A victim’s life may never be the same after suffering a traumatic brain injury.

Any motorcycle rider who receives a blow or other injury to the head should be seen by a doctor or hospital as soon as possible. Earlier treatment leads to a better recovery.

What Happens If You’ve Been In A Motorcycle Accident?

If you or a family member were involved in a motorcycle accident, several steps need to be taken to preserve your rights and maintain your ability to file a legal claim for personal injury.

1. Call Police and Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 to alert police about an accident that has occurred so a report can be filed. Also, if anyone appears injured or needs immediate medical attention, responders can ensure help is on the way. In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident, a police report can be vital evidence when trying to recover damage to your bike, any medical bills, clothing, or other damages you have suffered.

2. Collect Contact Information

After each person involved in an accident is safely off the road, you should make sure no one leaves before you get their contact information, including the name, phone number, address, insurance company, and license numbers of any drivers.

3. Take Photos of the Accident Scene

If able, take note of the surroundings where the incident occurred, along with photos of the following:

• All vehicles involved (including license plate numbers, make and model of car)
• Skid marks
• Road signs
• Weather conditions
• Lighting
• Any factors that may offer information regarding the accident

If you cannot take photos, ask someone else to do it, or note the location so you can return later for photographs.

3. Speak to Witnesses

Eyewitnesses can offer important information during the legal process. If possible, speak to anyone who saw what happened and ask if you can record what they saw or if they will write down the events on paper. Also, obtain their contact information in case any questions arise.

4. Call Your Insurance Company

Alert your insurance company to let them know an accident has occurred. This way, your insurer has all of the pertinent information.

• Never admit fault, even if you think you’re to blame.
• The other driver may have committed offenses such as distracted driving, DUI, etc. that led to the accident.
• Speak to an experienced motorcycle attorney before talking with insurance.

5. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Always seek legal representation after a motor vehicle accident occurs. Your attorney will:

• Examine the situation.
• Evaluate the circumstances.
• Conduct a thorough investigation.
• File a claim to obtain compensation for injuries or damages.
• Deal with insurance companies.
• Protect your interests.

Who is Usually at Fault in a Michigan Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcyclists are often blamed for accidents, even if an auto driver is to blame for the crash. In many cases, this is a fallacy. Motorcyclists are at high risk. Drivers of larger vehicles are often at fault because they do not see the rider of the motorcycle. Other driver errors include:

• Distracted driving
• Impairment
• Fatigue
• Speeding
• Improper lane change
• Failure to yield
• Failure to follow traffic signals
• Intoxication
• Road rage

After a case is examined, it often comes to light that these and other reckless driving events by car drivers lead to serious crashes involving bikers. Cyclists deserve the same level of respect on the road as any other vehicle driver and have the same rights.

Related Article: Who Is at Fault in Most Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle Safety Gear Reduces Your Risk of Serious Injury

Safety gear is designed to protect riders and passengers traveling on motorcycles. Motorcycle helmets are estimated to be 37% effective in preventing fatal motorcycle rider injuries.

Helmets and other protective gear should be a must for anyone riding a motorcycle. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation advises riders to “dress for a crash as well as for the ride.”

In addition to a helmet, you should wear:

• Riding jacket
• High visibility vest
• Motorcycle pants (there are different materials and types; do your research before buying)
• Motorcycle body armor
• Gloves
• Boots
• Earplugs

A Reddit user relayed their story about an incident where they only walked away from an accident because of their gear.

“Someone pulled out into front of me on a statement road when I was going 85+ mph. The 80-year-old driver didn’t see me. I braked as hard as I could, but they ended up hitting me with the rear quarter panel, and I then hit the guard rail and low-sided at about 25 mph.

I was wearing a mesh jacket, gloves, helmet, and boots. Regular pants. At first, I was just surprised to be conscious and alive. Then I noticed that I had a huge hematoma on my right arm where it hit the guard rail. If the jacket was not padded, it probably would have broken my arm. My feet were dragged under the bike, but the boots saved my feet. The lack of riding pants resulted in severe road rash on my leg. Also got road rash on my arm from the friction between the inside lining of the jacket and the road. Overall not bad considering it could have been a fatal accident. The worst part was getting the wounds cleaned at the hospital. The topical anesthetic they put on your wounds before they clean it stings like a b—.”

Related Article: How Can Motorcyclists Protect Themselves in an Accident?

Why Clients Choose Matz Injury Law

The caring and compassionate attorneys at Matz Injury Law have logged hundreds of thousands of miles traveling throughout Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas to meet with clients. Clients who choose to work with us know they’ll receive personalized attention from their attorney.

As a client, you can rest assured you will never be passed onto an assistant or be treated as a case number. You will work directly with a Matz attorney. We are willing to travel to meet with you or connect over Zoom, whatever your preference.

To date, we have recovered more than $300 million for our Michigan clients. Recent settlements include:

• $4.15 Million Settlement in Washtenaw County
  • $4,150,000 settlement on behalf of the family of a college student who was killed in a traffic crash while riding a motorcycle. The settlement came from three different insurance companies.
• $3.45 Million Settlement In Genesee County
  • $3.45 million settlement against a cement company whose truck crossed a center line causing three deaths and severely injuring a 4-year-old boy. The settlement was $450,000 in excess of available insurance.
• $1.3 Million Settlement In Monroe County
  • $1.3 million Federal District Court settlement on behalf of a mother and daughter in a car/truck collision. Mom suffered a pancreas injury, returning to full-time employment within six months; eight-year-old daughter suffered an aggravation of a pre-existing learning disability as well as a ruptured spleen.

Testimonials

“I worked with Steve and his staff for almost three years. Every interaction I had with him or the staff was great. Always happy, very personable, and always pleasant to speak with. Steve goes above and beyond for his clients and for this, I am very grateful to have worked with him. If ever in need again, he will be who I contact to represent me.” — Jessica D.

“If you’re looking for an attorney to handle your automobile accident/injury claims, then I highly recommend Steve Matz and his team! When I fractured my skull, he helped me settle my bodily injury claim in a timely manner! He was very attentive, professional, and cordial. It was easy to reach him if I had any questions.” — Alicia C.

Do Not Be Another Motorcycle Statistic. Gear Up and Stay Alert

If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle crash due to another driver’s recklessness or negligence, you shouldn’t suffer alone. An experienced Michigan motorcycle accident attorney can look out for your best interests so another driver does not try to blame you.

Matz Injury Law has extensive experience in accident cases. We represent injury victims throughout the state of Michigan, including Warren, Port Huron, Grand Rapids, and Lansing. To date, we have earned more than $300 million for our clients. To obtain a free consultation from one of our motorcycle accident lawyers, contact our law firm by calling 866-226-6833 or completing our online contact form.