Riding a motorcycle is dangerous. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in an accident than passengers in other vehicles. Fortunately, not all motorcycle accidents are fatal. Motorcyclists can also sustain a wide range of non-fatal injuries, including a number of different leg injuries. Here’s a look at the most common leg injuries in motorcycle accidents:
Broken or Fractured Bones
Motorcyclists often fall off of their bikes when they are involved in an accident—and their bikes usually fall on top of them. Why? A crash can occur in a matter of seconds, so motorcyclists who fall off of their bikes don’t have time to move to safety. Sadly, the bike often falls on top of the motorcyclist’s lower body, which can break or fracture bones in the rider’s legs.
Amputation
A motorcycle may only break or fracture a few bones when it falls on top of a rider, but it can also cause more serious damage. The weight of the bike could shatter the bones in the leg beyond repair. The weight could also completely crush or partially sever the rider’s leg. In cases like these, the affected limb may need to be surgically amputated. Amputation is by far the most serious leg injury that a motorcyclist can sustain in an accident.
Road Rash
Motorcyclists who are thrown off of their bikes in an accident can suffer road rash. This is a type of injury that occurs when the rough pavement scrapes layers of the skin away. Most road rash leg injuries occur on the lower portion of the legs since this area may not be covered by protective gear.
First-degree road rash may look like minor irritation since it only affects the outermost layer of the skin. A second-degree road rash injury could cause bleeding since the outermost layer of the skin is scraped away. However, the layers underneath are still mostly unaffected. The most severe type is third-degree road rash, which occurs when all of the layers of skin have been scraped away, leaving tissue and fat exposed. This is a severe injury that requires immediate medical attention.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Motorcyclists can also sustain soft tissue leg injuries, although these are not as common as the other leg injuries on this list. Some examples of these injuries include sprains, strains, or tears of the ligaments, tendons, or muscles in the leg. Injuries that affect the arteries, veins, and nerves in the leg also fall into this category.
Have you suffered a leg injury in a motorcycle accident? If so, contact attorney Martin Gasparian as soon as possible. Mr. Gasparian will aggressively fight to ensure you are fully compensated for your devastating injuries. Schedule a free consultation regarding your case by calling 559-203-3333 or submitting your information at MaisonLaw.com.
