Ready for a road trip? Flying down the highway on a motorcycle road trip is as American as apple pie, but did you know, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), that motorcyclists were 24 times likelier to die in an accident than a passenger car occupant?
Whichever way you slice it, motorcycles are substantially more dangerous than any other vehicle type because they’re the only ones that don’t have the protection of an enclosed space. Injuries are also a common occurrence, with minor collisions leading to devastating and lifelong impacts.
In this article, we’ll cover the top 10 most common motorcycle accident injuries and what you can do to keep yourself safe on the wide-open road.
Key Takeaways
The most common motorcycle accident injuries include road rash, hand/arm, leg/feet, abdominal, head injuries, and burns, among others.
Motorcyclists are likeliest to be injured in collisions with other vehicles at intersections, in blind spots, and when other drivers are distracted.
Keep yourself safe by wearing the proper protective clothing, taking safety training classes, and following the rules of the road.
Wearing a helmet is critical, with helmet wearers seeing a near 40% reduced chance of dying on the road.
Speak to a personal injury attorney if you’re involved in a motorcycle crash for further guidance on what to do.
1. Road Rash
Road rash is the most common type of motorcycle injury and occurs when a rider skids along the road. It’s like having your skin sandpapered off, and it is most severe when people don’t wear proper protective clothing.
Not only is road rash painful, but it’s also potentially life-altering, with infections and nerve damage being particular problems. The best way to mitigate these abrasions is to wear leather motorcycle gear over all exposed skin.
According to the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, there were 20,407 hospital admissions for road rash in 2022. Remember, road rash might not sound so bad, but with enough force, it can tear through countless layers of skin and expose everything underneath.
2. Hand and Arm Injuries
Hand, wrist, and arm injuries all result from an injury known as Rider’s Arm or Biker’s Arm. According to the Impact Medical Group, this type of injury occurs when motorcyclists extend their arms during a crash to protect themselves. It’s an instinctive reaction that naturally results in injury.
It specifically applies to the type of damage that hits the radial, median, and ulnar nerves located in the arm. When you brace for impact, your arms take the brunt of the force, which can result in permanent nerve damage. In the most severe cases of Rider’s Arm, some bikers have even suffered arm paralysis.
That’s why many motorcyclists wear elbow pads and special riding gloves that absorb much of the impact.
What is Biker’s Arm?
Biker’s Arm consists of several injuries impacting the nerves in the upper arm. Extensive nerve damage can result in reduced mobility. This may be temporary, but it could also mean chronic pain or complete paralysis of the arm and hand.
The three nerves mentioned earlier are all located in the brachial plexus at the base of your neck. The median, ulnar, and radial nerves control movement in your arms and hands. What makes diagnosing this condition tricky is the symptoms might take weeks to present themselves.
Here are some of the symptoms to look for in your arm:
Tingling sensations
Unable to use your hand/fingers
Numbness
No feeling in your upper arm/shoulder
Arm paralysis
Any of these symptoms should necessitate a visit to your doctor. If you’re pursuing a personal injury lawsuit due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, this is vital evidence that could increase the size of your settlement.
3. Broken Bones
Broken bones result from a substantial impact that causes the bones to fracture or snap. They are among the most common injuries sustained by motorcyclists because of blows from the road, other vehicles, and property.
According to a study from the National Institutes of Health, here are the most common orthopedic injuries:
Tibia/Fibula – 19.01%
Spine – 16.21%
Forearm – 10.14%
The rate of non-orthopedic injuries from motorcycle crashes was also high, including a rate of 8.23% for skull fractures and 13.66% for face fractures.
4. Lower Body Injuries
Lower body injuries represent one of the largest percentages of injuries. According to CDC statistics published by RideApart, 30% of all non-fatal injuries involved the lower body, with most impacting the rider's legs and feet.
Your legs are among the most exposed parts of your body in motorcycle crashes. Accident victims often find themselves with their bikes weighing hundreds of pounds falling on their legs. There’s not much you can do about this other than to wear proper boots to support your ankles and prevent your feet from being crushed.
5. Head and Neck Injuries
Head and neck problems remain one of the most common injury types, with death being highly likely when riders choose not to wear a helmet. Some of the biggest impacts of head and neck damage include skull fractures, brain damage, and disfigurement.
Your head is the most vulnerable part of your body, and accidents involving head injuries are among the leading causes of death. According to the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, roughly 37% of motorcycle deaths every year involve some form of head trauma.
Sadly, too many riders continue to not wear helmets despite the overwhelming evidence showing their effectiveness. For example, the U.S. Department of Transportation found that 15% of helmeted motorcyclists treated in the hospital suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), compared to 21% of riders not wearing a helmet.
In short, the advice here is to wear a helmet whenever you get out on the road!
What are Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)?
Traumatic brain injuries are a type of injury that disrupts normal brain function. These injuries usually result from violent blows or jolts to the head. Effects of TBIs include brain bleeds, brain bruising, and torn tissues. Some head trauma symptoms may appear immediately, with others arising much later.
The John Hopkins School of Medicine states that there are two types of TBIs:
Closed Brain Injuries – A head injury with no skull penetration. These injuries occur when the brain rapidly moves backward and forward in the skull. Most motorcycle head injuries fall into this category.
Penetrating Brain Injuries – A head injury where the skull is penetrated. Victims will have open wounds, and these are far more serious, often resulting in brain damage and death.
Symptoms are wide-ranging, beginning with mild headaches to periods of unconsciousness. You may also notice changes in your vision, motor problems, and mental health changes. Due to the severe nature of TBI symptoms, it’s crucial to rush yourself to a medical facility immediately.
6. Back and Spine Injuries
Spinal injuries are among the most devastating injuries. All spinal cord injuries could lead to paralysis, including quadriplegia or paralysis from the neck down. That’s because your spinal cord’s nerves are responsible for sending motor commands from the brain.
All significant spinal damage will require a lengthy hospital stay and potentially years of rehabilitation. Many injured motorcyclists with spine damage never resume their normal lives because of the massive damage that ensues.
Let’s examine the stats from a study published by the National Institutes of Health on where back injuries were most common.
23.8% of riders suffered isolated injuries.
The thoracic spine was injured in 54.8% of cases.
Riders suffered lumbar spine injuries in 29.4% of cases.
The cervical spine suffered injury in 27% of cases.
42.9% of riders suffered multiple injuries at different vertebral levels.
7. Burn Injuries
Burns can result from hot engines, exhaust pipes, spilled gas tanks, and flames from other vehicles in a motorcycle accident. These can be extremely painful, and the risk of infection is substantial. Severe burns may even lead to surgery and skin grafting.
The Cleveland Clinic outlines how burns are classified:
First-Degree Burns – These burns are most similar to a typical sunburn. The outer layer of skin turns red and painful but doesn’t blister.
Second-Degree Burns – Burns that impact both the top and lower layers of the skin. Victims feel pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.
Third-Degree Burns – These are the most severe burns and impact all three layers of skin. Third-degree burns damage nerve endings, and the skin may appear red, white, or black, with a leathery appearance.
Severe burns can cause permanent disfigurement and may require skin grafts over several months and years.
8. Abdominal Injuries
Chest and abdominal injuries are common because of the number of riders who sustain frontal collisions and/or ejection. The most common abdominal injuries include thorax injuries, rib fractures, internal bleeding, lung lacerations, and heart lacerations.
The National Institutes of Health also found that older bikers have a higher rate of chest injuries than younger ones. Unsurprisingly, these types of injuries can result in fatalities because of internal damage to the organs.
9. Muscle Injuries
Muscle injuries occur when the rider’s muscles are stretched or torn due to the impact of a collision. The sudden force can lead to minor strains and sprains, but some riders may suffer muscle ruptures and tears.
The most vulnerable areas for riders include:
Arms
Legs
Back
Neck
Severe cases of road rash often lead to muscle injuries, especially if a rider isn’t wearing protective clothing. Most treatments for muscle injuries follow the RICE method of rest, ice, compression, and elevation. More severe cases may also require physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion.
10. Psychological Impact
Not all injuries are visible. The average motorcycle crash is more violent than the average passenger vehicle crash. The trauma of a serious motorcycle crash can result in severe psychological issues, including:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Anxiety
Depression
Phobias
Cognitive impairment
Psychosomatic pain
It’s not uncommon for injured riders to never get back on a bike again if they suffer severe injuries. However, there is mental health treatment available. Through regular therapy, riders can begin putting their lives back together. The problem is that psychological symptoms often take far longer to heal than physical injuries.
What are the Most Common Crash Types for Motorcycle Riders?
The most common motorcyclist crash types include collisions with left-hand turning vehicles, distracted driving, and blind spot accidents. Every crash looks different, and the lack of natural protection for bikers means that these motorcycle accidents almost always lead to injuries requiring medical care.
Per a Forbes report, motorcycle crashes accounted for 17% of all occupant facilities. While this is a minority, it’s important to mention this is an outsized portion because there are far fewer bikes on the road.
Let’s examine three of the most common motorcycle crash types.
1. Intersection Accidents
Intersections are dangerous places for vehicles because of drivers coming from multiple directions. Motorcyclists suffer an outsized risk as a simple driver mistake won’t give them enough time to react.
The most common intersection accident is when a driver tries to make a left turn but doesn’t yield to a motorcyclist driving straight. Another type of intersection accident is when motorists attempt a right turn but fail to stop, which is a moving violation in many parts of the country.
2. Blind Spot Accidents
Your blind spot is where you can’t see another motorist. Spotting another car or a truck is easy enough, but motorcyclists are more vulnerable to blind spots.
If you’re riding in a lane adjacent to another vehicle, you might disappear into these natural blind spots. Other drivers often fail to look over their shoulders before changing lanes or give sufficient signaling time, which can result in colliding with a motorcyclist.
3. Distracted Driver Crashes
Distracted drivers aren’t paying attention to the road. Whether talking to a friend, texting while driving, or taking a bite out of a burrito, they’re not looking for other vehicles. Unfortunately, drivers often fail to account for motorcyclists at all, which is what results in so many motorcycle accidents.
With the use of cell phones increasing, distracted driving is an ever-present problem. Some states have introduced tougher laws on cell phone use, but this remains a persistent issue with potentially deadly consequences for riders.
If you were the victim of a distracted driver, call an Austin motorcycle accident lawyer immediately.
Safety Tips for Preventing Motorcycle Injuries and Accidents
Motorcyclists are always more vulnerable than drivers of other vehicles because they don’t have the protection of a contained space. Although boneheaded drivers are a serious problem, riders must also do their part to keep themselves and others safe.
If you’re about to climb aboard your bike, follow these safety tips:
Get Motorcycle Safety Training – Always take safety training before getting out on the roads. These training seminars specifically show you how to avoid crashes and react to hazards you might encounter on the road.
Wear Proper Gear – Not all states require helmet use, but you should wear one anyway. Additionally, you should wear proper leather riding gear, including a jacket, gloves, pants, and eye protection.
Stay Alert – Like all drivers, motorcyclists can fall victim to distractions like anyone else. Riders must remain focused, especially at intersections or when there are multiple lanes of traffic. Pay special attention to traffic flow and various obstacles.
Don’t Drive Intoxicated – It’s illegal to ride under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and riding tired can be just as problematic. Always ensure you’re in a fit and proper state to operate your motorcycle. It could be the difference between life and death!
Follow the Motorcycle Laws – All states have specific rules for motorcyclists. As well as following ordinary traffic laws, pay attention to what your state has to say on practices like lane merging and splitting.
Some motorcyclists joke that there are two types of riders: those who have crashed and those who will crash.
Crashing isn’t inevitable, and you can reduce the risk of injury if you experience an incident by adhering to the rules of the road and going the extra mile to keep yourself and others safe.
What are the Safety Facts Around Helmet Use?
Motorcycle helmets are a proven way of protecting yourself from serious injury. Like seatbelts in cars, there’s a high chance they could save your life in a motorcycle accident. Despite this, only 19 states require all riders to wear a helmet.
In fact, 28 states have helmet laws that apply based on age and experience, with Illinois, Iowa, and New Hampshire not requiring anyone to wear a helmet at all. It’s a stunning fact, considering what we know about the effectiveness of helmets.
The National Safety Council estimates that helmets reduce your chances of sustaining a fatal injury by 37%. If you’re a passenger, the risk goes down by 41%. In other words, if you could reduce your risk of death by over a third, wouldn’t you take it?
Yet a substantial number of riders don’t wear a helmet at all times. That’s even though the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety conducted a survey and found that 82% of Americans were in favor of requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets.
There’s really no debate over whether helmets work. Are they perfect? No. Should you wear one? Yes.
What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
What you do in the moments and minutes after a motorcycle accident is crucial not only to your health but also to your ability to pursue a personal injury lawsuit later.
Follow these steps in the immediate aftermath of a motorbike accident:
Step One – Get to safety. Don’t linger on the road. Check yourself for any injuries in the process and call 911 if necessary.
Step Two – Call law enforcement to attend. They’ll sort out the situation and fill out an official police motorcycle accident report for later.
Step Three – Exchange your contact and insurance details with any other involved drivers. You’re required to do this by law, and refusing to give your details counts as a hit and run, which could be a felony.
Step Four – Gather as much evidence as you can. Take pictures of the damage, your injuries, the road conditions, and any stop signs. It’s also a good opportunity to talk to any eyewitnesses (if present) and take down their contact details.
Step Five – Visit a medical facility and seek immediate medical attention. The costs of your medical bills and expenses can be recovered later as part of your settlement. Monitor your symptoms in the hours and days afterward, and if something seems “off,” return to your nearest medical facility.
After you’ve left the scene and received an evaluation, your next call should be to a lawyer. The question is, “Is it worth hiring a personal injury lawyer?” and the answer is yes. They’re there to fight your case and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve while you recover from your injuries.
What if My Medical Bills are More than My Settlement?
The bulk of any financial losses from an motorcycle accident are usually medical bills. That leaves many people questioning, “What if my medical bills are more than my settlement?” and it’s a valid question because sometimes your settlement won’t be enough.
Motorcycle accident victims find themselves in this position because they either accepted a lowball offer from an auto insurance company or didn’t hire a lawyer to fight their case. Sometimes, both.
Unfortunately, your options are limited and usually involve trying to negotiate your medical bills down, setting up a payment plan, or trying to file a case against another party, such as the other driver’s auto insurer.
Again, this is something else motorcycle injury attorneys can help with. Let them take control of the situation and speak on your behalf.
Most Common Motorcycle Injuries FAQs
What are the most common injuries from motorcycle accident crashes?
The most common injuries suffered include road rash, followed by leg and foot injuries. The exposed nature of these areas means that you’ve got a high likelihood of injury, even in relatively low-speed crashes.
However, you can mitigate much of the damage by wearing dedicated riding boots and heavy-duty pants.
What speed do most fatal motorcycle accidents occur?
Most fatal motorcycle accidents occur at relatively high speeds. Depending on the study you read, most fatal motor vehicle accidents occur at speeds surpassing 50-60 mph. This is because this is the threshold where motorcyclists are likely to be ejected, with severe injuries coming from the subsequent blunt force trauma.
How long does it take to recover from motorcycle accident injuries?
Minor injuries, like bruises, cuts, and sprains, may only take a few days to a few weeks to heal. Serious injuries, like internal injuries and broken bones, may require months to heal. Some of the most serious motorcycle crashes result in years of rehabilitation, with some riders never fully recovering.
