Recent statistics reveal that over 5,000 motorcyclists die in accidents in the US every single year, with thousands more surviving but suffering a range of physical and mental injuries that can change their lives forever more.
It’s no secret that riding a motorcycle can be dangerous. In fact, some studies estimate that motorcyclists are around 28 times more likely to die in accidents than car drivers or passengers, and motorcycles have far fewer safety mechanisms to keep riders safe too.
Being aware of the risks of motorcycles is important for every rider, enthusiast, or young person considering getting their license and giving a motorcycle a try for themselves. With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the common injury types and what you can do if you get into an accident.
Common Motorcycle Injuries
As stated above, motorcyclists can be far more likely to get into accidents and come out on the wrong side of crashes and collisions, mostly due to the small size and lightweight nature of their vehicles when compared to the likes of cars and SUVs. Here are some common injury types:
Head Injuries
Usually, the worst kind of injury a motorcyclist can suffer is a head injury. Head injuries are frighteningly common in motorcycle accidents, as riders are often flung from their vehicles and make contact with the ground ahead or another vehicle in their path, leading to blunt impact trauma on the head, neck, and torso.
These types of injuries can vary in severity from relatively mild concussions to long-lasting traumatic brain injuries. They usually need to be treated on a case by case basis with different levels of rest, therapy, pain-relieving medication, and so on.
Broken or Fractured Bones
It’s also quite common for motorcyclists to suffer broken bones or fractures after being involved in accidents on the road. Even with protective clothing and gear in place, bones can be easily damaged when bodies are flung into the road or smash into oncoming vehicles.
Again, the severity of these injuries can vary. Some riders may be left unable to ride for the rest of their lives if their injuries are too drastic, but others can make relatively swift recoveries.
Road Rash
Road rash is a form of friction burn that often occurs in motorcycle accidents in which the rider is thrown from their vehicle and onto the road, sliding along it and suffering burns to their body in the process.
This type of rash can be immensely painful and is at severe risk of infection, so needs to be treated quickly. Skin grafts may be needed to repair the affected area and antibiotic creams will usually need to be applied as well.
Mental Health
As well as physical injuries, it’s also important to take one’s mental health into consideration when auto accidents occur, and this includes car drivers and passengers of other vehicles, as well as motorcycle enthusiasts too.
Often, people involved in auto collisions and crashes can struggle with newfound phobias, anxieties, and stresses in the wake of their accident. They might be scared to drive again or lack confidence in their driving abilities, and this may need to be treated with therapy or counseling.
What to Do If an Accident Happens
Driving safely and following the rules of the road while on your motorcycle will help you stay safe and limit your risk of ending up in an accident, but the truth is that even the safest of riders can get into crashes and collisions due to carelessness or recklessness of others.
So what do you do if an accident occurs? The first step is to make sure you get medical care. If you’re too injured to move, wait in place, as long as it’s safe to do so until paramedics arrive on the scene. If you are able to move, get to a safe spot on the side of the road before calling for help and getting to a hospital.
Even if you don’t feel particularly in pain or injured, it’s vital to get yourself checked out by a medical professional, just in case. A doctor will be able to diagnose any issues, provide treatment, and make recommendations to speed up your recovery too.
Conclusion
Riding a motorcycle can be exciting and engaging, and there are many advantages to owning a motorcycle over a car or other kind of vehicle, but every rider needs to know the risks and accept them, riding as safely as they can and acting quickly if an accident happens.
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