Common Orlando Motorcycle Injuries

Since 2001, motorcycle crashes in Florida have accounted for between 2.1% and 4% of all traffic accidents. The number of fatalities related to these accidents has fluctuated from 8.2% to 19.9%.

Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are more likely to be deadly than traditional passenger vehicles due to riders’ minimal protection. Those that do not result in a fatality often cause serious and life-altering injuries.

At The Law Offices of Pardy & Rodriguez, our team takes pride in representing motorcycle crash victims and helping them recover the compensation they deserve. If you find yourself in this situation, we encourage you to reach out to our team for help.

Keep reading to learn about some of the most common motorcycle injuries that occur in Orlando motorcycle accidents.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A TBI or traumatic brain injury occurs when your brain sustains significant damage. Usually, this type of injury occurs if your head hits an object with a lot of force, when the head is violently shaken back and forth, or if your skull is punctured.

TBIs are considered one of the most serious types of injuries you can experience in a motorcycle accident. Usually, they are seen in riders who do not wear helmets. Approximately 7% of motorcyclists without a helmet at the time of a crash suffer serious facial or head injuries compared to only 5% of those wearing a helmet.

If you experience a TBI during a motorcycle accident, you may suffer cognitive and physical deficits. In some cases, a TBI can be treated with surgery; however, you will experience life-altering, lifelong effects in many cases.

Injuries to the Feet and Legs

Many non-fatal motorcycles injuries occur on the feet and legs. This happens because, in a collision, the legs and feet are the first body part to contact the ground.

Some of the common injuries that may occur to the legs and feet include:

• Road rash
• Dislocated knees
• Broken bones

You can help prevent these types of injuries by wearing protective boots and a thick, tough fabric on your legs. This is the main reason that many motorcycle riders opt to wear leather.

Road Rash

Road rash often occurs because of how a rider’s body contacts the pavement when they fall. In some situations, the angle of a crash can cause you to slide across the road. Even if you wear protective clothing, there is not much that can protect you against road rash.

Road rash is the effect of the pavement rubbing against your skin. The pavement can scrape away the skin, and more serious injuries may look like burns. If you suffer severe road rash, you may have to have skin grafts to repair the damage.

Another issue related to road rash is that debris from the pavement may get stuck in your body. If these are not removed and properly treated, they can lead to serious and even life-threatening infections.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Your spinal cord is particularly sensitive. It is also an important part of your body and function. If your spinal cord is injured because of a motorcycle accident, the outcome and long-term effect can be devastating.

Based on the area where the injury occurs, you may find you cannot walk, control your arms, or even move.

Spinal cord injuries can occur if you land on your back or neck or if your body is pierced by something. You may also be crushed or pinned between two things, which can cause damage to your spinal cord and spine.

If paralysis occurs, it can be permanent or temporary.

Muscle Damage

As mentioned above, if you ride a motorcycle, nothing separates you from the things around you while you ride. Because of this, if you are involved in an accident, you may experience muscle damage.

You can protect yourself from these potential injuries by wearing protective clothing, earplugs, a helmet, and boots.

Thorax Injuries

Approximately one out of every seven injuries caused by motorcycle accidents affect the thorax. This includes your ribs, sternum, and entire chest area.

Injuries to this part of your body can be particularly dangerous because your rips may wind up puncturing other, nearby body parts. Some other injuries that may occur to this part of your body include punctured or collapsed lungs. You may experience other complications due to these injuries, which include infections and pneumonia.

Protect Your Rights After a Motorcycle Accident

If you have suffered one or more of the injuries mentioned above due to a motorcycle accident, you need to take steps to protect your rights and ability to recover compensation. One of the best ways to do this is by contacting our team at Pardy & Rodriguez P.A. by calling (407) 759-3560. We are here to help answer your questions and ensure you get the compensation deserved for your injuries.