Every March, approximately 500,0000 motorcyclists make their way to Daytona Beach, Florida for the annual Daytona Beach Bike Week. Bike Week hosts concerts, street festivals, and, of course, heavily congested roadways due to the number of local and out of town motorcyclists.
Florida’s year-round warm weather continuously welcomes bikers. Not surprisingly, Florida has one of the highest rates of motorcycle accidents in the entire nation. It is important for any motorist on the road, but especially a motorcyclist, to note the reasons why motorcycle accidents lead to more devastating injuries than other types of collisions.
Upon impact, the only shield a motorcyclist has against another vehicle is what he attaches to his body prior to travel, which normally just includes a helmet and protective gear, at best. Without the security of seatbelts, airbags, and steel frames around them, motorcyclists become significantly more vulnerable and tend to suffer more catastrophic or fatal injuries from even minor collisions.
According to a study conducted for the Federal Office of Road Safety, the most common types of injuries suffered by motorcyclists include:
- Road rash. These injuries include abrasions and cuts, affecting about 88% of injured motorcyclists.
- Limb injuries. Motorcyclists commonly suffer injuries to their lower extremities, accounting for about 57% of injuries, as well as to their upper limbs, accounting for about 44%.
- Limb fractures. Bone fractures involving the lower limbs account for about 28% and about 17% for upper limbs.
- Spinal cord injuries. Motorcyclists commonly suffer spinal cord injuries, which include soft tissue damage, disc bulges and herniations, as well as paralysis or quadriplegia.
- Brain injuries. Most fatalities involving motorcyclists occur because of a serious head injury. Helmet use was shown to be about 37% effective in preventing motorcycle deaths and 67% effective in preventing brain injuries.
If you are a motorcyclist, please drive safely and always wear a helmet and other safety gear. If you are not a motorist, please drive safely and be sure to always look twice before entering a intersection or changing lanes as motorcycles can be easily missed by an inattentive driver.
Chelsie M. Lamie is a personal injury attorney in Safety Harbor, Florida. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle or car accident, call 727-501-3464 for a free consultation. You can also learn more about Attorney Lamie by visiting www.chelsielamie.com