Motorcycle accidents affect a disproportionately large number of traffic participants. Numerous factors contribute to the severity of motorcycle crash injuries, the use of a helmet being the most important one.
Below, we’re examining some of the most common injuries sustained in these accidents and how you can get compensation, with the help of an experienced Ohio motorcycle crash attorney.
The Most Common Motorcycle Crash Injuries
While motorcycles account for only three percent of all registered vehicles in the U.S., they are involved in 14.6 percent of traffic fatalities, the National Security Council reports. Over the last 10 years, deaths among motorcyclists have increased by 32 percent. As of 2022, the number of motorcycle fatalities has been established at 6,218 – a number that represents a fatality rate of 26,16 per 100 million vehicle miles.
Ohio motorcycle accident lawyers have represented patients dealing with an array of serious injuries after motorcycle accidents. Some of the most typical ones include:
- Bone fractures: Cyclists don’t have the kinds of protection that automobile passengers enjoy. As a result, they’re more likely to experience both minor and serious bone fractures.
- Head and neck injuries: While the use of a helmet reduces the severity of such kinds of trauma, head and neck injuries are also common among motorcyclists. Depending on the severity of the crash and the contributing factors (like the lack of a helmet), a head injury can lead to facial disfigurement, chronic pain, brain damage, and even death.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal injuries occur in at least 11 percent of motorcycle crashes. Thoracic spine injuries are most common, affecting 54.8 percent of the motorists. Other common spinal injuries include lumbar and cervical spine injuries.
- Burns: Having a motorcycle’s tank spill during a crash can lead to severe burn injuries. Burn injuries can also be the result of direct contact with the exhaust pipe, engine, or muffler. Motorcyclists have been known to experience all degrees of burns, from easy-to-treat first-degree burns to lethal fourth-degree burns.
- Hand and leg injuries
- Muscle injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Road rash
Most of the severe injuries and lethal outcomes among motorcyclists occur whenever the motorcycle is hit from the front (head-on collision). That’s because a motorcycle is smaller than other vehicles and the motorist can be ejected from the motorcycle, flying through the air and suffering a serious fall.
Getting Compensated for a Motorcycle Accident in Ohio
Anyone who is injured in a traffic accident will be entitled to some compensation. The most common compensation covers medical losses, life changes caused by permanent disabilities, and a loss in the ability to earn an income.
Establishing fault is the biggest essential for the recovery of motorcycle accident compensation.
Ohio is a comparative negligence state. This means that two or more parties can be at fault for their contribution to a crash. If you experience injuries but are partially to blame for the motorcycle crash that occurred, the compensation will be reduced in accordance with your contribution to the accident.
The rule applies as long as the injured party is responsible for less than 51 percent of the accident. If a motorcycle crash is largely your fault, you’ll be prevented from getting compensated.
What Should I Do If I’m Injured in a Motorcycle Crash?
If you sustain injuries in a motorcycle crash, you’ll need to do several important things.
The first one is to get medical assistance, even if your injuries seem minor and insignificant. Some serious types of trauma like an abdominal injury may cause no symptoms at first. Having such injuries untreated, however, can lead to serious complications and even death.
Once you have received medical care, you’ll need to start collecting evidence about the crash. Getting in touch with an Ohio motorcycle accident attorney also makes sense. Together, you will examine the circumstances that led to the accident and pinpoint the course of action that will build a solid case. Having a legal representative increases the likelihood of being compensated and receiving an amount that’s adequately representative of your injuries.
Get in Touch With an Ohio Motorcycle Crash Lawyer
If you sustained motorcycle crash injuries, you need to talk to an experienced Ohio motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will know how to gather and interpret the evidence in order to secure just payment for your damages and injuries.
Contact our team now at 844-853-7373. We will review your case for free, helping you understand your options and the subsequent steps you’ll have to engage in.
