On Nov. 22, 2022, a man was killed in an accident involving two motorcycles and a commercial truck in Davenport, IA. The two motorcycles were going eastbound on Rockingham Road at a high speed when they crashed into a truck that was making a left-hand turn. Both motorcyclists were taken to the hospital where one survived and one died from his injuries.
Why Motorcyclists Are at Risk of Severe Injuries During Accidents
Although everyone is at risk of suffering injuries during an accident on the road, motorcyclists are especially vulnerable. As an Iowa motorcycle accident attorney can explain, motorcyclists lack the protection of a vehicle. They do not have the airbags and seatbelts that vehicles provide. They just have their helmet, gloves and other gear. Therefore, they are more likely to sustain serious injuries in a crash.
Motorcyclists also have less control of their bike. Motorcycles just do not have the steering capabilities that vehicles do. When motorcyclists come across a hazard on the road, they can easily steer off the road.
Additionally, motorcycles have less braking power than vehicles. When motorcyclists have to hit their brakes, their bike can spin out of control.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
As mentioned above, motorcyclists have a higher risk of suffering catastrophic injuries during a collision. Here are the most common motorcycle accident injuries.
- Head injuries. During a motorcycle accident, motorcyclists can get thrown off their bikes and hit their hit on the pavement or another object. This can result in head injuries, which may initially cause nausea, headaches, confusion and sensitivity to light and sound. Head injuries can cause long-term physical, cognitive and behavioral problems. Wearing a helmet can reduce the severity of head injuries in a crash.
- Road rash. When motorcyclists slide across the pavement during a crash, they can sustain road rash. The injury can cause nerve damage, severe pain and even permanent disfigurement. While minor road rash may be treated at home, severe road rash requires immediate medical attention.
- Spinal cord injuries. When motorcyclists are ejected from their motorcycle during an accident, they can land on their back or neck, which can cause a spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries are one of the most serious injuries you can endure in a motorcycle accident and may result in permanent paralysis.
- Burns. During a motorcycle crash, the motorcycle’s gas tank can spill, resulting in a fire. Motorcyclists can suffer severe burns, which can cause excruciating pain, nerve damage, infection and permanent scarring. Skin grafts may be required.
- Broken bones. The force of a motorcycle accident can also cause broken bones. Motorcyclists can break bones in their arms, hands, feet, legs and other body parts. Broken bones result in a lot of pain and take a long time to recover from. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash, you should schedule a consultation with an Iowa motorcycle accident lawyer from Des Moines Injury Law today.
