GeneralHow To Protect Yourself From Common Motorcycle Injuries

Motorcycles are risky vehicles. The road conditions, weather, experience, and the other drivers on the road all play a role in a motorcyclist’s safety. Motorcycle riders are approximately 40 times more likely to die than a car rider or passenger. The rate of suffering from an injurious accident is also more likely for motorcyclists. Knowing about the most common injuries that occur after a motorcycle accident can help you protect yourself against it or avoid them altogether. This knowledge might also one day save your life.

The most common types of motorcycle injuries are as follows:

Head Injuries

Head injuries are a very serious matter that may either lead you to become dependent on your loved ones for care or even prove to be fatal. On the lower end it can lead to concussion while on the higher end the permanent loss of cognitive functions is also possible.

The only proven way of avoiding head injuries to a certain extent is using a helmet. It was noted that upto 67% of head injuries could have been avoided if the motorcycle rider had worn a helmet. Therefore wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is absolutely imperative.

Lower Extremities

The most common type of injury suffered by motorcyclists is the lower-extremity injury. Lower-extremities refers to the body parts below your waist, i.e the legs and the pelvis.

These body parts are the most commonly injured because of their position on the motorcycle. Severe cases of such injuries can lead to loss of the ability to walk either temporarily or permanently.

Road Rash

Road rash are abrasion injuries that occur when either the rider is thrown from their bike and they slide against the concrete or when they are trapped between the bike and the road. The rough surface of the asphalt, gravel, and concrete can cut through the clothes and reach the skin. When it reaches the skin, the abrasive surface will then shred the skin’s flesh and the tender tissues below it.

The injuries from road rash are rarely fatal but they can be incredibly painful. Minor injuries can heal in a matter of days but in severe cases blood loss and deadly infections can also occur. Bacterial risk from the insertion of any foreign object such as sticks, pebbles, and other debris is also a very serious issue that can leave victims struggling for their lives. Scarring is highly probable and could require treatments such as skin grafting, reconstructive surgeries, etc.

To prevent road rash, protective clothing should be worn by the motorcyclists. These protective clothing are armored jackets, gloves, and pants. They can be very helpful in protecting the skin from abrasions if you are involved in a road rash accident. Investing in good protective gear can save you from extremely painful injuries and prevent pain and suffering.

Facial Injuries

Motorcycle accidents can also cause disfigurement of the face with injuries. Our face is the first thing that anyone sees when looking at us. Therefore any disfigurement of the face can seriously hurt our self-esteem and self-identity. Facial injuries can seriously alter the victims life and they can be left with depression, anxiety, loneliness, substance abuse, and even suicidal tendencies. A helmet that covers your whole face can protect you from facial injuries.

Injuries of the Shoulder, Arm, Hands and Fingers 

The second most common type of injury is the shoulder, hand, arm, and fingers accident injury. When bikers are ejected from their bike they tend to use their hands to break the fall, this can cause injury from the impact. These kinds of injury are usually not fatal and can be easily prevented by using armored gloves, jackets, and palm sliders. High quality protective gloves and an armored-sleeved jacket should be a must-have while riding bikes.

Legal Consultation

The consequences of a motorcycle accident can be very severe. In addition to these consequences, expensive medical bills and lost wages also follow. If you were injured in an accident that was someone else’s fault, consult a motorcycle accident attorney. Legal consultation can help you to claim damages from the injuries,fair settlement of  pay for your medical expenses and get your life back on track.

Conclusion

Motorcycle injuries are no joke. From temporary injuries to permanent disability an accident can have several consequences. As a motorcycle rider it is important that you keep these injuries in the back of your mind and use protective measures such as a helmet and protective gear to minimize any potential risks.

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