Michael D. Kelly, ESQ 
Motorcycle riding brings a sense of freedom, yet it also comes with risks. Even careful riders can’t control distracted drivers. Motorcycle crashes may result in severe injuries, like rib fractures or neck injuries, and this can affect victims and their families for many years.
In this article, we explain the most common motorcycle accident injuries, their potential long-term consequences, and what injured motorcyclists and their loved ones should know before agreeing to any insurance settlement.
The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
In 2024, 1,291 motorcyclists were injured and 64 killed in collisions on the roads of Massachusetts. While most non-fatal injuries are minor, serious crashes leave riders facing far more than just temporary pain. The most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Road rash and skin abrasions: These are typical for most motorcycle accidents. The lack of protection for the rider means that the contact of the skin with the road surface, the motorcycle, or the other vehicles involved is almost unavoidable. Abrasions may become infected without proper care, and facial injuries may lead to disfigurement.
- Head and brain trauma: These injuries usually happen when a rider is thrown from the vehicle and hits the pavement, another car, or a nearby object. Although wearing a helmet decreases the risk of head injury by 69%, the sudden force can still make the brain move inside the skull.
- Spinal injuries: This type of motorcycle accident injury often occurs in high-speed or rear-end collisions where the body moves unnaturally, either twisting or bending. The force from the motorcycle crash or from landing can damage the spine or the nerves that run through it.
- Fractures and crush injuries: Fractures typically happen during a fall when the impact is taken by the rider’s legs or arms. And in more severe crashes, the weight of the bike or another vehicle can crush bone and tissue.
- Internal injuries and organ damage: These result from blunt-force trauma to the chest or abdomen. The impact of a handlebar, gas tank, or another vehicle can rupture internal organs and cause a serious injury with bleeding, often without instant noticeable symptoms.
Serious and Long-Term Consequences of Motorcycle Accident Injury
Minor injuries from such accidents can heal in weeks, although they still demand effort, patience, and proper medical care. More serious issues may have even lifelong consequences.
This is where the nuance lies when it comes to serious injuries and the legal process of seeking compensation. It’s essential to assess, as early as possible, how a motorcycle accident injury will affect the victim’s future to ensure they recover not only their current losses but also all potential long-term damages. This includes non-economic harm such as pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The injuries described above may affect motorcycle accident victims long after the first hospital visit or surgery:
- Head trauma and brain injuries can cause ongoing memory loss or mood changes that make everyday life and work more challenging.
- Damage to the spinal cord can lead to temporary or permanent disabilities that make walking, driving, and other daily tasks a constant effort and require continuous therapy.
- Severe fractures don’t always heal completely. Mobility may not return fully, and rehabilitation can take months or even years.
- Abdominal injuries from motorcycle accidents may cause recurring health problems, such as digestive issues, breathing difficulties, and chronic pain, which require continuous medical attention.
Unique Risks for Older Riders in Motorcycle Accidents
With age, bones become more fragile, muscles weaken, and reaction times slow down. For older motorcycle riders, even a minor crash can mean more severe injuries and a longer hospital stay.
A study that reviewed 432 motorcycle accident patients found that riders aged 55 and older experienced more fractures (60% vs. 42%), spent longer in the hospital (5.5 vs. 3 days), and faced twice as many complications (16% vs. 8%) as younger riders (0 to 54 years). They also needed intensive care more frequently.
As a result, older riders injured in a crash tend to require additional assistance, which makes it even more necessary to ensure that their current and future needs are adequately addressed during negotiations with insurers. Attorneys can help with this process — they can guide motorcycle accident victims on what to say to insurance after an accident or communicate with an insurance company directly.
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What to Do If You Were Injured in a Motorcycle Crash
Your health always comes first after a collision. Once you’re safe, try to make sure the details of the accident are recorded. Here are the main steps injured riders should take after motorcycle accidents:
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Seek medical attention
Even if you don’t notice anything wrong, it’s best to be checked by a doctor, as some injuries, like brain damage and internal bleeding, may not have obvious signs first. Medical documentation becomes a key type of evidence when you pursue a personal injury claim.
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Document what you can
Take photos of the vehicles involved in the collision, visible injuries, and the accident site. Make notes about weather conditions and the traffic situation. These records can also strengthen your claim.
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Exchange and save information
Gather contact and insurance details from all individuals involved. If there are witnesses, ask for their information, as their statements can add credibility to your claim.
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Request a police report
A formal report helps confirm the facts and prevents disputes later with insurers or other parties.
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Consult motorcycle injury attorneys early
Before speaking with insurance companies, it helps to talk with a Boston motorcycle accident lawyer. They can explain your rights, deal with insurers on your behalf, and make sure you don’t settle before the full impact of your injuries is clear.
How to Prevent Common Injuries Suffered in Motorcycle Accidents
Avoiding motorcycle accidents is the primary goal. Although it isn’t always within a rider’s control, there are precautions that can lessen the likelihood of an auto accident injury. Here are ways motorcycle riders can prepare and protect themselves on the road:
- Wear a helmet: According to the Massachusetts motorcycle laws, every rider and passenger must wear a DOT-approved helmet. It’s an effective way to prevent head injuries and even death. Nationwide data shows that in 2023, 54% of riders who survived motorcycle accidents were wearing helmets, while the rest were unhelmeted riders.
- Invest in proper protective clothing: Reinforced jackets, gloves, pants, boots, and other motorcyclist protective gear are essential for reducing the risk of road rash, other abrasions, and even fractures. Clothes with reflective materials will also make you more visible to drivers.
- Ride defensively: Always presume that motor vehicle operators don’t see you. This is especially true when you’re turning and switching lanes.
- Improve your skills: Regular training can help you maintain control and confidence on the road. The right maneuver in a stressful situation can help prevent serious injury.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, our law firm can help you recover fair compensation for your losses, including hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, loss of earning capacity, and more. Worried about the cost of a personal injury lawer? We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no legal fees unless compensation is secured. Reach out to Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
