What Are the Most Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents? 

 Posted on September 28, 2021 in Car Accidents

Illinois motorcyclists have the unfortunate distinction of sustaining much more serious injuries in vehicle accidents than the average car or truck driver. Primarily because of the unprotected nature of a motorcycle, in 2019 the Illinois Department of Transportation estimated that approximately 75 percent of motorcycle accidents result in injuries to the rider. 

Unfortunately, around 30 percent of those injured in motorcycle accidents sustain injuries serious enough to be incapacitating or lethal. Many motorcycle accidents are avoidable and are caused due to negligence on the part of the driver of another vehicle. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, is it important to understand your options for recovering damages under Illinois law. 

What are Common Incapacitating Motorcycle Injuries in Illinois? 

Because the motorcycle is so small relative to a car or truck, and because the rider’s body is exposed, the rider often bears the brunt of a crash. Sometimes riders are thrown from their motorcycle, causing additional injuries from an impact with the road and other surrounding objects. Some of the serious injuries motorcyclists commonly suffer in accidents include: 

• Internal organ damage - Internal organ damage and bleeding are common in motorcycle accidents and can be fatal, especially because internal bleeding is often not immediately obvious. 

• Head and neck injuries - Concussions, brain hemorrhaging, and other types of traumatic brain injury are very common in serious motorcycle accidents. Even if a rider feels fine following an accident, he or she may have sustained a traumatic brain injury and may simply be in shock and unable to feel it yet. Many brain injuries are discovered days or even weeks following an accident. 

• Road rash - Road rash occurs when a rider is thrown from their bicycle and slides along the road. Although road rash in and of itself is not usually fatal, it can cause serious complications that can result in a difficult recovery. The use of skin grafts may be necessary and road rash can cause infections, permanent scarring, and extreme pain. 

• Spinal cord injury - The nerves that send signals from our brain to our limbs all come together in the spinal cord. Injuries to the spinal cord can have devastating results - loss of mobility, paralysis, and inability to communicate can follow motorcycle accidents involving spinal cord injuries. 

Speak with a Northbrook Auto Accident Attorney

Motorcycle accidents can cause serious and even life-threatening bodily harm. If you are suffering as a result of a motorcycle accident, an experienced Cook County personal injury attorney with Gruzmark Law, Ltd. may be able to help you recover financial damages. We have experience helping clients like you and can help you understand your options under Illinois law. Call our office today at 847-729-7660 and schedule a free consultation. 

Source:

https://idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Resources/Safety/Crash-Reports/crash-facts/2017%20Crash%20Facts.pdf