Rs Law Offices/Our blog/The Most Common Types of Motorcycle Injury

The Most Common Types of Motorcycle Injury

26/03/2022

The Most Common Types of Motorcycle Crashes

According to the National Institute of Health, there are four main types of motorcycle crashes. Distinguishing these by category helps determine patterns that can later be used to help treat such accidents. The four main types are:

  • Collision: This occurs when a motorcycle rider experiences deceleration forces and blunt trauma after being struck by a stationary object
  • Lowside: This is when the motorcycle rider, during a turn, falls to the lowside of the angle to which they are leaning
  • Highside: This occurs when a motorcycle rider turns, but falls to the opposite side while trying to correct their turn. This causes the motorcycle to flip, and causes the motorcycle rider to be thrown from the vehicle
  • Topside: The motorcycle rider is flipped over the motorcycle’s handlebars after a sudden deceleration

The Most Common Injuries on a Motorcycle

In the same study, the types of injury resulting from those crash types were also broken down. Riders of motorcycles are six times more likely to be involved in an accident than a driver of a motor vehicle. Understanding these types of injury makes them easier to identify, and therefore treat, by medical professionals.

  • Head-leading collisions: These injuries occur after a motorcycle
    rider is thrown from the motorcycle and usually present with obvious
    head trauma. Skull fractures, contusions and soft tissue injuries are typical,
    as are traumatic brain injuries.
  • Direct vertical impact: This type of injury is often incurred when
    a rider hits their shoulder on a pole or road sign at high speed.
    This can fracture the clavicle or scapula, the forearm, as well as the hand and wrist.
  • Motorcycle radius:  Due to a tendency when thrown from a motorcycle
    to extend one’s arms to brace the body, the radius bone often absorbs
    much of this impact, causing it to fracture.
  • Motorcycle thumb: Also caused by bracing, as well as the locking of
    elbows, if a motorcyclist grips the handlebars during the impact, the
    pressure imparted through handlebars from the collision can injure
    the thumb and related ligaments.
  • Fuel tank injuries: When a motorcycle stops abruptly, injury can occur
    to the pelvis and bladder due to the high velocity.
  • Limb entrapment: When a limb is trapped between the motorcycle and
    a fixed object, it can cause fractures or other injuries, especially in the
    tibia, foot and ankle.
  • Tire Spoke Injury: When a rider’s foot is caught in the spokes of the
    motorcycle’s tire, they can suffer soft-tissue damage and have a high
    amputation risk.
  • Crash modifying maneuver: When a rider attempts to compensate for
    an impending crash by stretching out their leg, they may suffer fracture
    dislocations and mangled extremities.

Why Are Motorcycle Injuries Important to Distinguish?

Due to the scope of injuries that can happen on a motorcycle, medical professionals are often placed under immense pressure to identify the type of injury and potential treatment as rapidly as possible. While these types of patterns were identified and researched to help treat them quickly, it should also help to understand them to increase one’s own safeness when driving or riding a motorcycle.

blogs

You might like

Statute of Limitations and Personal Injury

For many of us, when a personal injury occurs there can be a lot of mixed feelings. Some people may feel guilty that they got injured, even when the blame lies with someone else. The first concerns you will obviously have will be about your health and safety. You may not even be considering what […]

17/09/2021
Read more

Five Apps for Increased Road Safety

Staying safe on the road is more important as more and more cities become increasingly dependent on automobile transportation. Increasedroad safety is about diligence and attentive driving, but there are also ways to “gamify” or in other ways incentivize safe driving, through smartphone apps. Here are five apps designed to keep you less distracted and […]

12/09/2022
Read more

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in the United States

Whether due to size, or footprint of the motorcycle, or sheer stability, or a combination of these factors, motorcycles are much more likely to be involved in an accident than other automobiles. Certainly, in some cases, this is a visibility issue as well, with many drivers of other automobiles not looking in their blind spots […]

06/01/2023
Read more

Safety and Defensive Driving Tips for Truck Drivers

The old saying goes, the best offense is a good defense. According to research, accidents caused by big rigs or the 18-wheelers have increased by 52% since 2009. Safe and defensive driving involves saving lives, time, and money regardless of the conditions around you or other road users. Defensive driving for truck drivers goes beyond […]

14/03/2022
Read more

Common Land Rover Problems: When to Apply the Lemon Law

Range Rovers have an irresistible allure. One characterized by a sporty appearance, high performance, and luxurious interior. They also have a high safety rating, but it’s not uncommon for them to experience problems that render them as lemon. Some of the issues have led to recalls, and others are yet to be addressed by the […]

24/08/2020
Read more

Bicycle Safety Tips

Bicycling might be the true essence of freedom in transportation. No dependence on anyone to get around except yourself, no motor to make you drive out of control, and you can park your bike just about anywhere. Still, safety while riding a bicycle is just as important as with any other mode of transportation, especially […]

01/05/2022
Read more

Five Pedestrian Accident Facts

Some numbers have Arizona as the most dangerous state in the U.S. when it comes to pedestrians. They are in the most danger by simply being outnumbered, which means accidents are likely to rise as the number of automobiles on the road continues to rise. It is important for you to not only understand how […]

01/08/2022
Read more

Holiday Travel Safety

As we get into the holiday season, it’s a good time to think of some relaxing times spent at home with loved ones. Having a nice meal, meeting new spouses and grandchildren, or just coming together finally after a long time apart- it is a period of joy and togetherness. For these reasons and more, […]

13/12/2021
Read more

Winter Rideshare Safety Tips

Winter driving is no joke in general. Everyone needs to slow down and be sure to take the proper winter driving precautions, but if you drive a rideshare, your point-to-point driving makes you more vulnerable to getting in an accident than if you were simply driving to and from work. Add to this the dangers […]

27/01/2023
Read more

Four Arizona Workers’ Compensation Tips

If you live in Arizona and you suffer an injury while on the job, you should know your rights, in terms of representation, potential compensation, and the laws surrounding workers’ compensation. You should make sure to seek proper medical care, as well, and be certain to keep records of communications and treatments for future reference, […]

17/07/2022
Read more

contact form

Get in touch

By providing your phone number, you agree to receive text messages from RS Law Offices. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. View our Privacy Policy.