(150+)Fractures, concussion, whiplash: these are some of the most common injuries in a motorcycle accident. Anyone who is struck by another vehicle or forced off the road should call an experienced Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss whether they can bring an injury claim. In South Carolina, accident victims can hold defendants legally accountable for negligently or dangerously causing a crash. That means fighting to obtain compensation to cover their economic and non-economic losses.
Below, we look at some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries and encourage anyone with questions to contact the office.
Head Injuries
Any collision can lead to major head injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Brain contusion
- Coup contrecoup injury
South Carolina law only requires a helmet for riders who are under the age of 21. (South Carolina Code § 56-5-3660.) We see many people struggle with disabling head injuries after being involved in a motorcycle wreck, so we wish helmet use were more widespread. TBIs, in particular, can lead to ongoing disability even years after the accident.
Some head injuries can require surgery, possibly even emergency surgery, to preserve life. But other injuries simply need time to heal, with victims struggling with all sorts of emotional and physical impairments.
Broken Bones
Fractures are a common motorcycle accident injury, especially to the following bones:
- Pelvis
- Hip
- Arms
- Legs
- Ribs
- Skull
A simple fracture might heal quickly and painlessly, but many motorcyclists struggle with compound fractures, where a bone pushes through the skin. That type of injury can lead to infection. Other fractures might end up damaging vital organs, such as the lungs or kidneys.
Facial Injuries
A motorcyclist who faceplants can suffer disfiguring facial injuries:
- Fractures nose
- Orbital fracture
- Abrasions
- Eye damage
- Dental injuries
- Dislocated jaw
These motorcycle accident injuries cause intense emotional distress because they are difficult to hide. Someone with a disfiguring facial injury could need reconstructive surgery.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Many motorcycle accidents in South Carolina cause soft tissue injuries, such as contusions, sprains, or strains. These injuries might not sound major, but they often cause pain and inconvenience. Serious soft tissue injuries could even require surgery.
A back sprain might prevent a motorcyclist from working or even leaving the house. We recommend treating any pain as a signal of a significant injury, so please go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment.
Nerve Damage
Traumatic body blows can damage nerves, especially in the arms. Several nerves branch off the brachial plexus near the neck and run down the arm to the hand. Weakness or numbness in the hand is a sign of an injury, which many people call “biker’s arm.”
Nerve injuries are often slow to heal. There is not much a person can do but wait patiently for the body to heal itself, which could take years.
Organ Damage
Some organs can be damaged in a crash, including the heart and lungs. Sometimes broken bones will stab or cut into these organs. This is one way a motorcyclist can suffer a collapsed lung or a heart contusion.
Abdominal injuries are also common, which means a rider could suffer a perforated bowel, which is a profoundly serious injury. If you feel any pain following an accident, head to the hospital. A doctor will perform necessary tests to determine the extent of injury and begin prescribing the correct treatment.
Road Rash
This is a type of abrasion injury which many motorcyclists suffer after falling off a bike. Any exposed skin can scrape along the road or dirt. In extreme cases, a flap of skin might be torn free.
Road rash has some well-known complications, including a risk of infection. Watch the wound in the days and weeks following the accident, and head to the hospital if you see pus, redness, or streaks emanating from the wound. Any untreated infection might lead to sepsis.
Other complications arise after a victim receives skin grafts, which could either fail or lead to disfigurement.
Spinal Column Injury
The spinal column provides vital protection to the spinal cord. However, an accident can damage the column, including:
- Facet joint injuries
- Herniated disc
- Vertebral fractures
- Spinal stenosis
If the bones press on the spinal cord, then an accident victim can experience weakness or other sensory impairment until the pressure is relieved. Trauma to the column can lead to a narrowing of the channel, which only increases the pressure on the cord. Contact a doctor immediately if you notice any of the symptoms of a back injury: pain, immobility, and incontinence.
Paralysis
Tragic accidents often result in paralysis from the site of injury. For example, a serious neck injury could render someone a quadriplegic. A major injury further down the back could leave them unable to use their legs.
Other spinal cord injuries result in impaired sensation, but the victim retains some movement. In many ways, these injuries are just as serious as complete spinal injuries. Accident victims who suffer certain “incomplete” spinal cord injuries often need years of physical therapy to help them regain some use of their limbs. For example, someone could need leg braces and intense rehab to learn how to walk again.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
PTSD is an emotional response to a horrifying event. The victim can experience intrusive thoughts and intense flashbacks to the traumatic experience. Other symptoms include self-blame and avoidance of the motorcycles or the area where the accident occurred.
PTSD responds well to various treatments, but some patients hesitate to admit they are struggling emotionally. Shame is often a barrier to mental health treatment. If you know a loved one who survived a motorcycle accident, please encourage them to seek out treatment for mental health issues that arise. Then, reach out to Elliott Frazier — Family, Personal Injury & Car Accident Attorneys, LLC, for legal advice.
Speak with a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Greenville
Angela Frazier fights for motorcycle accident victims, and she isn’t afraid of insurance companies, which try to minimize her clients’ suffering. You have a true advocate in your corner who believes in obtaining justice. Call our office today to schedule your personal consultation.
