Motorcyclists love riding for many reasons. By their nature, though, motorcycles leave riders vulnerable to collisions with vehicles on the road.
Some of the most dangerous traffic accidents involve motorcycles and other vehicles. Unfortunately, injuries are common in these incidents.
Skin damage
One of the most common and painful injuries associated with motorcycle accidents is road rash, which is the result of sliding on pavement after flying off a motorcycle. It is an excruciating combination of cuts, scrapes, bruises and burns that can take a while to heal. Wearing proper riding gear, such as pants and a jacket, can help minimize skin damage in a motorcycle accident.
Spinal trauma
Spinal trauma can range anywhere from chronic back pain requiring physical therapy to severe spinal cord injury requiring surgery or potentially resulting in paralysis. Regardless of the severity, spinal injuries alter the injured person’s quality of life, sometimes permanently.
Brain injuries
The impact of falling or flying off a motorcycle can cause significant damage to the head and neck, often causing traumatic brain injuries. This type of injury ranges in severity from mild head trauma with symptoms like headaches, dizziness or trouble with speech to severe head trauma with symptoms like seizures, temporary loss of consciousness or even coma. Wearing a helmet can help protect motorcyclists from brain injuries, but is not a guaranteed method of injury prevention.
Motorcycle riding has significant appeal to many, but can still be a dangerous activity. While there are some ways for riders to protect themselves, there can be no substitute for vigilant drivers on the road.
