It’s not hard to figure out how dangerous motorcycles can be. Many people see them as “death traps” and avoid them entirely. But, they aren’t all bad – motorcycle lovers find that their time on the bike is one of the most therapeutic, freeing, and exciting parts of their lives. However you see motorcycles, it doesn’t change the brute reality that motorcycle accidents are among the most dangerous types of vehicle accidents. If you spend time on a motorcycle, you need to be aware of the most common injuries so you can protect yourself as much as possible.
Watch Out for Road Rash
Perhaps somewhat unexpectedly, injuries to the lower body are the most common in non-fatal accidents at 30%. Experts think that this figure is due in large part to the failure of riders to wear proper safety gear on their lower bodies. You’ve undoubtedly seen many bikers wearing jeans and sneakers, which is a serious gamble. You need tough, heavy duty clothing and boots to withstand skidding on asphalt in the event of a crash. Anything besides boots and motorcycle-safe clothing could land you with a nasty road rash injury.
Don’t Forget Your Helmet
While road rash is undoubtedly painful and serious, injuries to the head and neck are even more so. Riding without a helmet is illegal in many states, including Missouri, and for good reason. Helmets drastically increase your chance of survival by nearly 30%, according to the NHTSA. While this makes wearing a helmet a no-brainer, they don’t render riders impervious to damage. Common head injuries include concussions or even traumatic brain damage, and bikers could also sustain whiplash or spinal cord damage in their neck.
Missouri Motorcycle Accident Attorney
By wearing the proper gear, you can minimize the extent of damage done to your body in a motorcycle crash. But, riding is still dangerous, and there is no guarantee of safety. If you’ve sustained road rash, a concussion, or any type of injury due to someone else’s negligence, call the personal injury experts at Lanzotti & Rau for legal help. We will personally see to it that you get what you deserve from the guilty party. Nobody knows better than us how debilitating motorcycle accidents can be, and we will do everything in our power to fight for your rights. For a free consultation, please contact us at 573-335-9300 today.