Motorcyclists suffer many of the same injuries that other accident victims do, such as concussions, back injuries, and burns. However, they also tend to suffer some injuries that are unique to motorcyclists. At Larson & Gallivan Law, ourGlens Falls motorcycle accident lawyers are committed to obtaining meaningful compensation for your injuries. Below, we look briefly at some of the most serious motorcycle related injuries and encourage you to call our firm to discuss your right to sue.
Road Rash
This is a type of abrasion that motorcyclists can suffer. When tossed from a bike, you might skid along the road. Any exposed skin is at risk of being rubbed off or torn. Dirt and grime can get under the skin, and you suffer a risk of serious complications.
Road rash treatment varies depending on its severity. Minor rash could possibly heal on its own, but you need to pay attention to scarring. More serious road rash can require skin grafts. A doctor can harvest skin from another part of your body or from a donor and then transplant it to the affected area. Skin grafts can fail, which means you might need multiple rounds of grafting.
A key complication is infection. Go to the hospital even if road rash appears minor. Untreated infection can lead to sepsis and other life-threatening conditions. A doctor might prescribe a full round of antibiotics.
When road rash occurs around a joint, patients also need physical therapy because the graft can contract and restrict movement. Without therapy, you could suffer permanent disability.
Biker’s Arm
Biker’s arm is the name given to nerve damage that many motorcyclists suffer in a crash. Typically, motorcyclists brace for impact by wrapping one arm around their chest and shutting their eyes. This arm can get struck by a vehicle, or the motorcyclist can land on it. Either way, the result is nerve damage in the shoulder, upper back, and arm.
Several nerves can be injured, including the median, radial, and ulnar nerves. These branch off from the brachial plexus at the neck and extend down the arm to the hands.
Some common symptoms of biker’s arm include:
- Throbbing or burning pain in a person’s arm or hand.
- Numbness in the arm and hand.
- Hand weakness. You might be unable to grasp objects, like a door handle, or even be unable to move your arm.
You might not notice any pain or numbness immediately after the crash because adrenaline can mask pain. However, the next morning, you might realize that your arm and/or hand is not normal. You should probably go to the doctor.
There is no silver bullet for treating biker’s arm. Nerve damage often improves with rest, but sometimes the damage is permanent. Your medical team will probably try to reduce swelling and help manage pain. You might be completely unable to work for several months as your arm slowly heals. Some biker’s arm is so severe that you will require surgery.
Pelvic Fracture
Pelvic fractures are a rare type of bone break. Motorcyclists are uniquely vulnerable to this injury because they are seated at the time of impact. Someone in a car is also seated, but they have the car’s body to absorb a lot of energy. Motorcyclists are completely exposed and therefore more likely to be hurt.
The pelvis connects the legs to the trunk and consists of two wing-shaped hip bones which connect to the sacrum. Your legs also connect to the pelvis. The pelvis acts as an anchor for leg muscles and is key to stability and mobility. As you can imagine, this is a pivotal part of the body. Any traumatic accident can damage the pelvic bones, but the risk of fracture increases with a motorcycle accident.
Some common symptoms include:
- Difficulties urinating
- Trouble maintaining balance
- Pain in your hip or groin
- Increased pain when walking
- Abdominal pain
- Tingling in your groin
A doctor will diagnose a pelvic fracture with an imaging test, like an X-ray, to get an up-close look at the bones and any breaks.
Pelvic fractures are extremely difficult to rehab. Any fracture can immediately make it too painful to walk or even sit down. Someone could experience extreme pain at all hours of the day. Modern pain management does wonders, but there are usually side effects, such as “cloudy” thinking or constipation. A minor pelvic fracture might heal on its own with sufficient rest, but more serious injuries will send you under the knife.
Amputation
Accidents at high speeds can literally rip a limb off a person’s body. We hate to be gruesome, but this is a real possibility in a motorcycle accident. Unlike bicyclists, motorcyclists are usually traveling at high speeds, which makes an amputation at the scene more likely.
Any limb loss is catastrophic. A victim’s life is turned upside down as they suffer a permanent impairment. They can also suffer extreme emotional distress. We highly recommend talking with a Glens Falls motorcycle accident attorney about your condition. You can seek damages for future medical care, loss of earning capacity, and emotional distress or trauma.
Facial Disfigurement
Motorcyclists who land on their face can suffer disfiguring injuries if they do not wear a helmet with a face shield. Car passengers rarely suffer this type of injury if they are properly buckled in. Motorcyclists can get tossed off their bikes and skid along the road on their faces. It’s a horrifying possibility.
Disfiguring injuries obviously exact a high emotional toll on victims. You might need expensive reconstructive surgery to get your face back in the condition it was before the crash. The results are usually less than perfect. Many victims struggle with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Call Our Glens Falls Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
We can discuss possible compensation to cover medical care, future medical expenses, and lost income. You also deserve a fair amount for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and anguish. Call Larson & Gallivan Law today, 518-862-8799, to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.