The Most Common Types of New York Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycles are less visible and less stable than traditional passenger vehicles. If an accident occurs, motorcyclists do not have the protection offered by a fully enclosed vehicle. In fact, the NHTSA has reported that motorcycle riders are up to 26 times more likely to die in an accident than those in a passenger vehicle and five times more likely to sustain an injury. 

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident and experience an injury, you should contact a New York personal injury attorney to help you file a claim. 

Here, you can learn more about the most common injuries that are seen in New York motorcycle accidents. 

TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury

Even motorcyclists who wear a helmet may experience a traumatic brain injury. In fact, TBIs are the leading cause of fatalities in motorcycle accidents. If the accident and resulting injury are not fatal, they can cause permanent paralysis and other issues. 

While a TBI may still occur while wearing a helmet, riders with a helmet are 35% less likely to die when an accident occurs. 

Road Rash

An extremely common injury seen in motorcycle accidents is road rash. Road rash injuries can range from minor to severe. 

This injury is a type of skin abrasion. It is caused by a rider being thrown from their bike and skidding across the pavement. Most cases of road rash are not minor and can lead to serious complications, like nerve damage and infections. 

You can attempt to prevent cases of road rash by wearing protective clothing – like leather – while riding. This will reduce the impact of the road or pavement on the skin if you are involved in an accident. 

Fractured or Broken Bones

A motorcycle accident may also cause fractured or broken bones. Some of the bones that are commonly fractured in these accidents include the pelvis, forearms, femurs, and shins. While this is true, your entire body is exposed in a motorcycle accident, so it is possible to have multiple bones in various parts of the body affected. 

Neck and Head Trauma

Some studies have revealed that motorcycles with larger engines have a much higher risk of head injuries for the rider if an accident occurs. As mentioned above, head injuries (which lead to TBIs) are common in motorcycle accidents. 

A head injury can lead to brain damage and disfigurement of the face and are sometimes fatal. 

Hire an Attorney to Help You Recover the Compensation You Are Entitled To

You have legal rights if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident. The best way to protect these legal rights is by contacting a motorcycle accident attorney to help with your claim. 

The attorney you hire can review the evidence in your case and help you determine a fair settlement amount. After a motorcycle accident, you may experience injuries that impact you for the rest of your life. You deserve to receive compensation for the injuries and losses you sustain.