No thrill quite matches that of hitting the open road on a motorcycle — and no biking adventure is quite as exhilarating as riding in or around Las Vegas. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are common in Las Vegas, where negligent drivers often fail to give bikers the attention or respect they deserve.
According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), nearly one in five of Nevada’s traffic fatalities involve motorcycles. The majority of these occur on urban roadways, with Clark County reporting far more fatal crashes than other areas of the state.
When they don’t lead to tragic fatalities, motorcycle accidents can still cause devastating physical injuries. These prompt suffering for months, or, in many cases, years. The following are among the most common motorcycle accident injuries:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Motorcycle accidents often lead to traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These may result from blows or jolts to the head, particularly as motorcyclists hit the pavement.
Head injuries can be minimized, to some extent, by wearing helmets — but motorcyclists with proper headgear still remain vulnerable. Even seemingly mild TBIs can prompt years of suffering, with victims often experiencing the following symptoms long after they appear to have recovered:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Struggles with regulating emotions
- Difficulty focusing
- Sleep disturbances
Road Rash
The evocative term “road rash” describes an unfortunately common phenomenon, in which hard surfaces (such as pavement) scrape against the skin. This causes painful abrasions.
While road rash can occur anywhere on the body, it’s especially common in bony areas, such as elbows and knees. Forearms and hands are also vulnerable. Leather is widely thought of as a preferred safeguard, but even motorcyclists outfitted with specialized gear can suffer road rash during an accident. This may lead to infection or scarring.
Burns
If the force of a motorcycle crash results in a gas tank leak, an explosion is possible. Riders who have not moved away from the motorcycle quickly enough may be vulnerable to severe burns.
Chemical burns are also possible if drivers come into contact with gasoline or battery acid. Motorcycle accidents often cause both second and third-degree burns, which require prompt medical attention and may be life-threatening
Bone Fractures
Motorcycle crashes can lead to many types of bone fractures. The severity of these largely depends on the type of impact. Top areas vulnerable to fractures include:
- Forearms. Immediately prior to crashes, motorcyclists may use their forearms to brace for impact. This could result in fractures of the radius or ulna. Scaphoid wrist fractures are also possible if motorcyclists fall on outstretched hands.
- Lower leg. Multiple leg bones are susceptible to damage during a motorcycle crash. The lower leg — including the tibia and fibula — is often a key area of concern. Unfortunately, these injuries can take a year (or longer) to heal.
- Pelvic fracture. If motorcyclists land on their hip or upper leg, excruciatingly painful pelvic fractures are possible. These dramatically limit mobility, making recovery a long and difficult process.
Get Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries
If you have suffered any of the injuries described above as a result of somebody else’s negligence, you owe it to yourself to seek justice. In addition to holding negligent drivers accountable, you could potentially secure significant damages for your suffering.
The team at Vegas Valley Injury Law is happy to help every step of the way. Contact us today to learn more about our work with motorcycle accident victims.
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