Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

When the insurance company says ‘no,’ we say ‘see you in court’

While no two motorcycle accidents are the same, the results are often predictable – serious, deep injuries for bikers. Typically, a motorcyclist’s only protection comes from the clothes he’s wearing and other on-the-body gear. In North Carolina, all people driving or riding on motorcycles must wear helmets.

Brent Adams & Associates has been going to bat for injured members of the community since the 1970s. We understand that money is tight after an accident. That’s why we offer free case consultations to motorcycle accident victims and their families. We can arrange a free, no-obligation session as soon as you’re ready.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s important that you contact an established North Carolina motorcycle injury attorney who can help you understand the value of your claim and explain your legal options.

North Carolina motorcycle crash facts

Every two hours and 34 minutes, a motorcycle accident happens in North Carolina, according to accident data collected by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. That’s more than 3,400 motorcycle crashes on average each year. These motorcycle accidents result in more 200 fatalities and 2,600 injuries every year in North Carolina.

Recent North Carolina efforts to address roadway risks to motorcyclists seem to have reduced the number of injured bikers – but the number of fatal motorcycle accidents remains a concern.  There are thousands of motorcycle accidents each year – and some of these are fatal.

Motorcycle injuries run the gamut from road rash to traumatic brain injuries. Below is a little more information about the kinds of damage a biker can sustain in an accident.

Common motorcycle accident injuries

Lower extremity/upper extremity: Arms and legs are the body parts most likely to be injured in a motorcycle crash. Damage to the extremities can include bruising and broken bones. Ankles are often fractured in motorcycle crashes, as well. Specifically, the most common extremity bones to break in a bike crash are:

• Tibia
• Fibula
• Femur
• Radius
• Ulna
• Humerus

Road rash: Even a minor accident will likely produce some amount of road rash. This type of injury is a deep scraping and scarring on the skin caused when a rider skids along the road. In extreme cases, road rash can need a skin graft to repair.

Head: Traumatic Brain Injuries, or TBIs, are some of the most feared results of a motorcycle crash. TBIs happen when a biker’s head is knocked around in a crash. Wearing a helmet reduces the likelihood of sustaining a fatal head injury by 40%.

The severity of TBIs is wide ranging. Some people lose sensation or the ability to move parts of their bodies. Some people have complete personality changes that disrupt the relationships they’ve built with family, friends, and coworkers. Others may have decreased brain function that removes them from the workforce or requires constant care.

Spine: The spinal cord and back are sensitive and easily injured. Damage here is particularly dangerous because the spinal cord protects the nerves that manage brain function and body motion. Slipped discs, nerve damage, and back soreness are among the injuries that a back can sustain in a motorcycle crash.

Internal bleeding: Injuries that cannot be observed with the naked eye can be just as serious, even more serious, than obvious damage. Even if you think you feel fine after a motorcycle accident, get checked out by emergency responders and, later, a doctor. They can detect serious injuries to organs and muscles that might otherwise be missed.

Shoulder, knee and other joint pain: Dislocated, fractured, or otherwise injured joints often have lifelong consequences. Even with replacement surgeries, damaged joints may require regular attention and exercise.

Increased anxiety: Motorcycle accidents are stressful. You’re in pain, likely out of work, unsure of your legal options, and worried about your family’s future. This is enough to raise anyone’s anxiety levels, but sometimes the mental anguish moves past worry and into a health issue. People who get in serious motorcycle accidents may develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – a condition in which a person’s mind relives a terrifying moment so frequently they cannot function normally.

Tingling, numbness, nerve damage, and Biker’s arm: A loss of feeling in a rider’s arms and legs, as well as other parts of the body, are a common outcome of bike accidents. There are various degrees of nerve damage a person can suffer ranging from mild, occasional tingling in your wrist and hands, to total loss of movement. Some longtime bikers develop nerve damage in their arms (Biker’s arm) caused by the strain of riding rough terrains, long distances, or a bad accident.

Chest and abdomen injuries: With so many vital organs located in the chest and abdomen, damage to your trunk can be significant or even fatal. Among the most common body injuries here are broken ribs and lung punctures.

How Much Is My Motorcycle Injury Claim Worth?

You should be compensated for all your injury-related expenses. What you might not realize is just how many expenses should be included when calculating your motorcycle injury claim. Such expenses can include:

• Emergency medical care, including surgery, immediately after your motorcycle accident.
• Follow-up doctor’s appointments to monitor your health and progress.
• Prescription medications, especially if you have chronic pain due to your injuries.
• Follow-up surgical procedures.
• Physical therapy to help with your recovery.

In addition, your injury claim should include other accident-related expenses, such as the cost of repairing your damaged motorcycle and replacement income if you need time off from work due to your injuries. Add all these expenses up and your motorcycle injury claim can easily be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more.

Insurance Companies Hate Us…

North Carolina has no shortage of excellent motorcycle rides including The Rattler, Land of the Waterfalls, and Cold Mountain loops. If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver on one of these, or any other bike trip, you are most likely owed money for your injuries and damaged motorcycle.

To access these funds, you must file an insurance claim and negotiate for the best possible outcome.

But don’t rely on an insurance adjuster – even from your own insurance company – to provide you with an adequate payout because it’s the right thing to do. The insurance industry makes billions of dollars in profits every year by rejecting and minimizing real accident claims.

Our Clients Love Us

Brent Adams & Associates has been taking on the insurance companies and fighting for the rights of North Carolina accident victims for decades.

Our legal team understands the local insurance and justice systems because we work with them every day. We know how they operate and how to negotiate maximum results for your motorcycle injury claim.

If an adjuster won’t budge from a too-small settlement, our firm is ready to bring them to court. Motorcycle accident lawyer Brent Adams relishes opportunities to fight for injured people in front of a judge.

You Can Afford Justice

Sometimes people don’t hire or consult with a lawyer after a bad accident because they think they cannot afford justice. That’s not the case at our firm.

Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation. Our North Carolina motorcycle injury lawyers often represent people injured in accidents on contingency. This means that our fee is paid for by the insurance companies – not you. We only make money when we win.

Learn more about how we can help. We are ready to hear from you today.