FindItMore | Zipping in and out of traffic on a motorcycle looks fun in the movies and riding on one can be a true joy, but motorcycle accidents are known to have fatal consequences and long-term effects from injuries sustained. If you are among the many looking to get out on the roadways to feel the wind in your hair on a motorcycle, you will want to know these major injuries that can be sustained in a motorcycle accident.
Brain Injuries
By far the largest sector of injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident have to do with the brain. Not only is this the largest instances of accidents but is generally the injury that causes most deaths in the event of a motorcycle accident. Even with current helmet laws and regulations surrounding the production of helmets, the head remains vulnerable. Just some of the brain injuries that can occur during a motorcycle accident include…
Skull Fractures–Small breaks in the skull surrounding the brain. Fractures can be mild but can also cause death or serious brain damage during a motorcycle accident.
Subarachnoid and Subdural Hemorrhages–Bleeding around the brain caused by trauma to blood vessels. This type of bleeding can cause the cranium to swell, leading to even more brain-related injuries.
Cerebral Contusions or Lacerations–Occurs when brain tissue is torn or impacted, causing brain bleeds.
Cerebral Edema–When fluid builds up within the brain, causing intracranial swelling. If unrelieved, it can result in death or severe brain damage.
Intracerebral Hemorrhage – Unlike Subarachnoid and Subdural haemorrhages, Intracerebral Hemorrhages cause bleeding directly on the brain and surgery is often the only way to alleviate the pressure and stop the bleed.
Concussions–This particular injury is the most common in motorcycle accidents, but also one of the most misdiagnosed. While physicians will treat other injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident, they often miss a seemingly mild concussion. If undiagnosed, a concussion, even a mild one, can lead to serious internal brain injury, swelling of the brain tissue, or death.
Broken Bones
Almost every motorcycle accident has some form of broken bones involved. Whether it is a small fracture or a complete break, broken bones are a factor to consider before riding a motorcycle in traffic. Being ejected from a motorcycle on impact or being completely run over by another vehicle can push bones to the limit and although most bone breaks are easy to fix with time and casting, many require surgery and intense physical therapy to return proper mobility. Broken bones can impact your ability to thrive and impact your life forever.
Internal Organ Damage
A motorcycle accident can do minor damage from simple road rash and broken bones, but major internal organ damage can associate an accident as well. Internal organ damage to certain organs, such as the spleen and other non-essential organs often call for surgery to remove the ruptured organ, but other more life essential bodily organs can be impacted as well. Often, the organ can be repaired. However, there are times when the organ is so damaged it requires a transplant. Organ transplant list is long, and it is difficult for an accident victim to go to the top of the list.
Paralysis
Ejection from a motorcycle accident will snap bones, but your bones are not the only thing you should be worried about. We are far more than just bones underneath the surface. The human body is comprised of intricate parts such as nerves and brain receptors that allow us to move as we should. A broken bone can often be repaired with surgery. Still, when certain nerves and brain receptors, specifically those in our spine, become damaged, often, no amount of surgery can fix it.
Paralysis is a common result of a motorcycle accident. This occurs when one or more of our brain’s receptors or nerves is impacted or damage. Sometimes, paralysis is temporary and will alleviate after healing and surgery, but not always. If the nerves and receptors are unable to send messages to our brains on how to move our bodies, paralysis can be a permanent thing.
PTSD Similarities
We hear a lot about PTSD, but according to motorcycle accident attorneys and doctors that treat victims, PTSD symptoms can be caused by such an accident. True PTSD is caused by trauma. When the body is placed in unnatural scenarios, it can react differently. The effects of PTSD from any traumatic event often go untreated simply due to the nature of the condition. PTSD will do not show up immediately in many circumstances. It can take months or even years to materialise and is often triggered by a specific memory, bad dreams, or simply driving past where the event took place. Emotional scars like PTSD are difficult to diagnose and very difficult for the victim to communicate with others.
Amnesia
We have all seen amnesia depicted on movies and television shows, but it is a very real and frightening condition. There are generally two types of amnesia, Anterograde, where the patient can remember events before the accident, but not the accident itself. This is often the most common type of amnesia with motorcycle accidents. The second of the two is known as Retrograde in which a vast space of memory can be completely lost. The patient can have difficulty remember anything about their lives. Essentially, head trauma from a motorcycle accident can damage the memory sector of the brain, known as the Hippocampus and cause possible amnesia.
There is little way to avoid every accident while riding a motorcycle, but with a little extra caution and consideration for others sharing the roadways, you can be a little safer about it. Always obey traffic laws and never ride without a helmet.
