Common Injuries in a Motorcycle Accident

As winter changes to spring, riders get out their motorcycles to prepare for the riding season. While many motorcyclists enjoy experiencing the open road on a bike, this freedom comes with additional risk of injury. Because motorcycles have fewer safety features than cars and other vehicles, injuries in motorcycle accidents are often more severe than in other crashes.

If you were injured or a loved one was killed in a New Jersey motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. Unfortunately, insurance adjusters and other drivers may try to blame the rider, claiming they were partially responsible for causing the crash. An experienced motorcycle accident injury lawyer can help you overcome this anti-motorcycle bias and fight for the compensation you and your family deserve.

John C. Iannelli is an experienced and sought-after New Jersey personal injury lawyer with over 30 years of experience representing injured people. He knows New Jersey motorcycle accident injury law and can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact Iannelli Law today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation.

Common Injuries in a New Jersey Motorcycle Accident

The exact nature of a motorcycle accident can vary depending on the size and speed of the vehicles, whether the accident happened on a back road or a highway, and the number of vehicles involved in the crash. Regardless of the specific circumstances, injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident are almost always severe because motorcycles offer less protection than other vehicles.

Injuries to the Head, Neck, and Spine

Even when a motorcycle rider wears a helmet, the extreme forces of a motorcycle accident can still cause severe injuries to the head, neck, and spine. Whiplash, herniated discs, and serious damage to the spine, back muscles, or spinal cord are common in motorcycle accidents. These injuries can cause severe pain, numbness, tingling, and limitations on mobility. Spinal cord injuries may result in partial or complete paralysis and can impair a person’s ability to move their legs or other body parts, making it difficult to perform basic tasks.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Even with a helmet, motorcycle riders can still experience head trauma that can result in Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI. TBI is actually the result of two distinct events. The first trauma occurs when the brain is violently shaken inside the skull, which can injure and damage the brain. The second injury occurs when the brain swells, creating additional pressure on the brain from the skull.

The effects of a TBI can be especially difficult and long-lasting. Victims may experience memory loss and loss of brain function, which can negatively impact a person’s ability to concentrate and focus and make many daily tasks more challenging. TBI can also make it difficult for a person to regulate their emotions, leading to overreactions or inappropriate responses in some situations.

Biker’s Arm Injuries

“Biker’s arm” refers to injuries experienced when a rider instinctively reaches out to protect themselves during a fall and the motorcycle lands on the rider’s arm. Biker’s arm generally refers to injuries to one or more of the following nerves:

• The radial nerve, which controls the triceps muscles on the back of the upper arm and regulates movement of the fingers, wrist, and parts of the hand.
• The median nerve, which controls the palm at the bottom of the thumb and the front of the forearm.
• The ulnar nerve, which runs behind the elbow and controls fine motor movements in the fingers.

Scrapes and Road Rash

When a motorcycle is involved in a crash, the rider may slide across the pavement, sometimes for a long distance. Even though most riders wear protective gear like leather jackets and heavy coats, many riders experience severe injuries when their skin is dragged across the pavement.

In addition to the pain of having layers of skin stripped away, foreign matter can become embedded in the wound, which can increase the risk of infection and may require additional medical care. Some people experience permanent scars and loss of mobility, especially if the injuries occurred near a joint.

Broken Bones

The force of a motorcycle accident can cause broken bones. Injuries to the arms and legs are most common, but a motorcycle accident can also cause broken bones in the feet, hands, or broken ribs. A rider could also break their collar bone, neck, hip, or bones in their back.

Depending on what body parts were injured, broken bones can take weeks or even months to heal. Severe injuries may require surgical placement of pins and screws to ensure bones remain in place as they heal. A serious accident could result in shattered bones or cause the bones to break through the skin. These injuries typically require long and intensive treatment and cause significant pain and suffering.

How a New Jersey Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorney Can Help

Injuries in motorcycle accidents can be severe and life-changing. But an experienced motorcycle accident injury lawyer can help. For over 30 years, New Jersey personal injury attorney John C. Iannelli has proudly served injured people in and around Blackwood and throughout South Jersey.

He aggressively pursues every case he takes on and will work to obtain superior results in your injury case. Contact Iannelli Law today to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation and how we can help.