September 7, 2024 | Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are vulnerable. According to the most comprehensive data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 8 in 10 reported motorcycle accidents result in rider injuries. At McGuire Law Firm, we have the experience and expertise to help motorcycle accident victims get justice—even in the most serious of cases. Here, our Lawton motorcycle accident attorney highlights the most common injuries.
Road Rash
Road rash refers to skin abrasions resulting from the body sliding across the pavement. It can be a very serious injury. Indeed, the severity can range from mild grazing to severe skin loss requiring surgical intervention. Protective clothing can reduce the risk of road rash. Healing varies based on depth and extent but often results in scarring or permanent skin damage.
Rider’s Arm (Biker’s Arm)
Rider’s arm occurs when a motorcyclist naturally tries to cushion their fall, leading to nerve damage in the upper arm. The impact can cause permanent nerve damage reducing the ability to control arm movements. Symptoms include numbness, loss of arm motion, and muscle weakness. A rider’s arm injury typically requires some form of ongoing or even long-term physical therapy.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck akin to cracking a whip. It commonly arises from rear-end collisions at intersections. Symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and dizziness. It is not uncommon for whiplash injuries to require ongoing rehabilitative care.
Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains affect muscles and ligaments around joints strained during an accident. They result from the body twisting or receiving a direct impact during a crash. Common symptoms include pain, swelling, limited flexibility, and difficulty using the affected limb. A motorcycle accident victim who suffered a sprain/strain needs the proper medical care.
Broken Bones
Broken bones are frequent in motorcycle accidents due to direct impacts and falls. Fractures can range from simple breaks that may heal with casting to complex ones requiring surgical intervention. Commonly broken bones in motorcycle accidents include hands, wrists, arms, legs, and ribs. A broken bone is a medical emergency and should be treated as such.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in motorcycle accidents usually occur from a blow to the head. Symptoms can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage affecting cognitive and motor functions. The data is overwhelming: Helmets reduce the risk of TBIs but cannot prevent all head injuries. All riders in Oklahoma should wear a DOT-approved helmet.
Loss of Limb (Amputation)
Amputation in motorcycle accidents may occur at the scene or be medically necessary later due to severe damage. Loss of limbs profoundly impacts a victim’s lifestyle and often requires prosthetics and extensive rehabilitation. It is always a serious medical emergency.
Internal Organ Damage
Internal organ damage can result from blunt trauma or penetration injuries during a motorcycle crash. Key signs include abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, and internal bleeding. Immediate medical attention is an absolute must. It could even be a potentially life-threatening condition.
Spinal Cord Damage
Spinal cord damage leads to varying degrees of paralysis, sensory loss, and dysfunction of bodily systems. Damage to the spinal cord is irreversible and can result in partial or complete paralysis. Any amount of spinal cord trauma is a catastrophic injury.
All Motorcycle Accident Injuries Require a Professional Medical Evaluation
Hurt in a motorcycle accident in Lawton? It is crucial that you see a doctor right away. To be sure, serious injuries require immediate emergency medical attention. Your health comes first. Non-emergency injuries should always be diagnosed and treated by a doctor right away. Many common motorcycle accident injuries—including TBIs—have a delayed onset. The victim may actually feel a lot worse 24, 48, 72 hours after a crash. Beyond your medical needs, you also need to get care for legal reasons. Medical records are required to support your personal injury case in Oklahoma. You will not be able to get full and fair compensation unless you see a doctor.
Contact Our Lawton Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
At McGuire Law Firm, our Lawton motorcycle accident lawyer is standing by, ready to protect your rights. If you or someone close to you suffered a terrible injury in a motorcycle wreck, we are here as the resource that you can trust. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation review of your case. With a law office in Lawton, we handle motorcycle accident injury cases all across the area.