Motorcycle riding, while liberating and thrilling, is accompanied by certain risks. This blog aims to provide a detailed understanding of the injuries commonly sustained in Atlanta motorcycle crashes, their treatment, preventive measures, and relevant statistics.
If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident anywhere in Georgia, contact the Weinstein Firm today.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can lead to a spectrum of injuries, from minor scrapes to severe, life-threatening conditions. Here are some of the most common ones.
Road Rash
This refers to skin abrasions that occur when a rider slides across the pavement during a crash. The severity can vary from minor scrapes and bruises to deep wounds that expose underlying tissues such as fat, muscle, or even bone. In severe cases, medical interventions like skin grafts may be necessary.
Facial Fractures and Disfigurement
Riders without proper helmet protection can suffer serious facial injuries like fractures to the nose, cheekbones, jaw, or forehead. Some fractures can be so severe that they cause significant disfigurement or lead to complications such as impaired vision, difficulty breathing, or problems with speech.
Broken Bones
The force of a motorcycle accident can easily break bones, especially in the arms and legs. Common fractures include those to the radius, ulna, tibia, and fibula. Severe fractures may require surgery and can lead to long-term complications such as reduced mobility or chronic pain.
Burns
If a motorcycle catches fire in a crash, riders can sustain severe burns. Severe burns often require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts, and can lead to significant scarring.
Limb Amputations
In high-speed crashes, riders may suffer injuries so severe that they lead to limb amputations. This can occur when a limb is crushed or severely damaged. Amputations have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life and often require long-term rehabilitation and the use of prosthetic limbs.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Damage to the spinal cord can disrupt communication between the brain and the body, leading to loss of sensation and motor function below the level of injury. This can result in paraplegia (paralysis of the legs and lower body) or quadriplegia (paralysis of all four limbs).
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Even with a helmet, riders can suffer TBIs, which can lead to cognitive issues, personality changes, and other serious health problems. TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe brain damage. They can cause symptoms like headaches, confusion, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.
More severe TBIs can result in prolonged unconsciousness (coma) or amnesia. Long-term effects can include physical, cognitive, and behavioral changes that affect a person’s ability to function in daily life.
Treatment After a Motorcycle Wreck
The treatment can vary greatly depending on the severity and type of injury. For instance, road rash might require cleaning, dressing, and possibly skin grafts for severe cases. Broken bones might need to be set or even require surgery, followed by physical therapy.
Severe injuries like spinal cord injuries and TBIs might require extensive medical intervention, including surgery, medication, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
Safety Measures for Motorcycle Riders
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some safety measures that riders can take to protect themselves:
- Helmet Use: The law in Georgia requires that all motorcycle riders wear a helmet. Helmets can significantly reduce the risk of head, face, and neck injuries.
- Protective Gear: Wearing protective gear, such as jackets, gloves, and boots, can help prevent road rash and protect against other injuries.
- Motorcycle Safety Program: Completing a motorcycle safety program is required before a Class M Motorcycle License can be issued in Georgia.
- Safe Riding: Being aware of other vehicles on the road and practicing safe riding techniques can help prevent accidents.
Atlanta Motorcycle Crash Statistics
Motorcyclist accident fatalities in Georgia have steadily increased in recent years. In 2017, there were 139 fatalities, 154 in 2018, 170 in 2019, and 179 in 2020. From 2017 to 2019, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 22%. In 2019, there were 3,948 motorcycle crashes statewide and a total of 4,269 motorcyclists involved in crashes.
The Atlanta region accounted for 42% of motorcycle crashes, indicating that metro Atlanta has a higher rate of crashes compared to rural counties.
Call the Weinstein Firm for Help Today
Motorcycle accidents can lead to severe injuries that can have long-lasting impacts on the victims’ lives. The physical trauma is often accompanied by emotional distress and financial burdens. A personal injury lawyer can help victims obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, other economic losses, and pain and suffering.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle crash, contact an experienced attorney at the Weinstein Firm at 770-HELP-NOW. We offer a free case review for all new clients.
