Serious Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents in Maryland

When a motorcyclist is in an accident, they do not have the protective shield and seat belts that cars and trucks have. Therefore, they are often thrown from their motorcycle and onto the pavement due to the impact. This can cause the motorcyclist to suffer severe bodily injuries as they are likely to strike objects with their hands, face, arms, and legs along the way.

There are countless injuries that motorcyclists face every time they get on their bikes. However, some injuries are more serious than others, such as:

• Head and brain injuries: In Maryland, it’s the law that motorcyclists wear helmets to reduce their risks of suffering a skull or brain injury. Failure to wear a helmet can cause injuries like a concussion, contusion, traumatic brain injury, or skull fracture. Any type of injury to the head is very serious and can lead to long-term consequences or even death.
• Back and spinal cord injuries: When a motorcyclist is struck in the back with an object or vehicle, they may have trauma to their spinal cord. This can lead to herniated discs, torn ligaments, or even complete spinal cord damage. Paralysis can arise when a person has a back or spinal cord injury, which means that the individual may never walk, use their arms, or carry out their ordinary tasks the same way again.
• Road rash and burns: As a motorcycle collides with an automobile, the motorcyclist is typically thrown off their bike. When they hit the pavement, there is a high chance that the speed and impact will cause them to slide across the concrete. This can lead to road rash and burns, which are typically very painful and remove several layers of skin. In some motorcycle accidents, the motorcyclist’s skin may be completely removed in a specific area, causing their bones and tissues to be exposed.
• Broken and fractured bones: During a motorcycle accident, it is common for the motorcycle to fall onto the motorcyclist. When this happens, their bones may be broken, fractured, or even crushed. In addition, when a motorcyclist tries to keep themselves from hitting the concrete, they may hold their arms and hands out to break their fall. This may cause their arms, wrists, hands, or fingers to break or fracture.
• Amputations: When a motorcycle accident occurs, the individual may have debris and vehicle parts flying around their body parts and limbs. If their limbs or body parts are struck severely, they may require amputations. This can be devastating to motorcycle accident victims as they may now be confined to a wheelchair or need a prosthetic, which can take many years to adjust to.
• Dental and facial injuries: Even though some motorcyclists choose to wear helmets to protect their heads, they do not always come with protective shields to cover their face or mouth. Therefore, when a person is thrown from their bike, their face can strike the pavement. This can cause severe facial and dental injuries. As a result, they may have missing teeth, loose teeth, vision loss, blurry vision, eye damage, a broken jaw, and more. These types of injuries can lead to scars and disfigurement, which often affects a person’s self-esteem and confidence for the rest of their lives.
• Internal bleeding and organ damage: During a motorcycle accident, the motorcyclist can slam against another object or sustain penetrating injuries. Depending on how hard they are hit, they may have internal bleeding or organ damage. The kidneys, liver, and lungs are common organs that become severely injured when a motorcycle incident occurs.

Tips to prevent serious motorcycle injuries

No matter how safe and careful you drive, some motorcycle accidents cannot be avoided. However, there are eight tips you can follow every time you get on your motorcycle to try to prevent serious motorcycle injuries from happening, including:

1. Always put on and wear a helmet for the duration of your ride.
2. Wear boots, long pants, gloves, and padding.
3. Attend motorcycle training and safety classes.
4. Make sure that your bike is up to date and maintained often.
5. Follow speed limits, traffic signs, and traffic lights at all times.
6. Never get on your motorcycle after consuming alcohol or taking drugs.
7. Give other drivers enough space and distance.
8. Remain aware of your surroundings while on the road.

If you suffer injuries from another person’s negligence, the motorcycle accident attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. are here to assist you. We have almost four decades of experience helping clients just like you, and we will do everything in our power to secure the fair compensation that you deserve for your injuries. Our team is based in multiple office locations across Maryland, and we are happy to offer you a free, no-obligation case evaluation at your earliest opportunity. All you need to do is call our office or fill out our contact form.