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Your best efforts may not protect you from a motorcycle accident

On Behalf of | Jul 12, 2017 | blog

Is it the thrill? The freedom? Maybe you just know how cool it looks to ride a motorcycle. Or maybe you ride because it saves you money on gas. Whatever the reason, it probably didn’t take you long to discover that operating a motorcycle can be dangerous, and that you need to take every precaution because not many other drivers are looking out for your safety.

You may trust in your own skills and ditch the helmet, but safety advocates recommend not only head protection, but eyewear, protective clothing and covering for your hands and feet. Nevertheless, about 80 percent of those motorcyclists involved in accidents suffer injury or death. A motorcycle provides almost no protection. Colliding with another vehicle is only part of the story. You may suffer injuries from the impact, but the road and your own bike may also contribute to your pain.

Common injuries

The leading cause of death among motorcyclists is head trauma. Helmets can reduce brain trauma deaths by up to 35 percent and go even farther in reducing brain injuries that can cause a lifetime of struggle and suffering. Although Illinois is one of the few states that do not require bikers to wear helmets, safety advocates urge you to take every precaution to protect yourself on your motorcycle.

Broken bones are also a common injury found in motorcycle accidents. If another vehicle hits you, your bike is likely to fall over, perhaps pinning your leg. Additionally, you may instinctively reach to steady yourself, risking fractures to your arms. The fall itself may result in broken bones throughout your body. The most common bones that suffer injury in a motorcycle accident include:

  • Leg
  • Wrist
  • Arm
  • Shoulder
  • Pelvis

Without the protection of a vehicle surrounding you, your skin is susceptible to injury as well. The term “road rash” refers to the scraping of your skin across the road surface as you slide during an accident. Without proper clothing to protect you, you are vulnerable to road rash that ranges from simple abrasions to injuries that remove the skin and expose underlying tissue. This serious injury requires immediate medical care.

Even though you may take every opportunity to practice defensive, safe motorcycle skills, you can never depend on the other drivers to see you or accommodate you on the road. As a result, there is always the chance that you will be the victim of another driver’s negligence or carelessness. In the event that you suffer injuries in an accident caused by another driver, you have every right to seek professional advice concerning your legal options.

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