Turn to an Attorney That You Can Trust Contact Us

Common Motorcycle Injuries in Anchorage, AK

Law Office Of Jason Skala April 8, 2022

Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation in Alaska and across the United States. They take less gas than passenger vehicles and offer excitement and adventure. However, riding a motorcycle can be very dangerous if you aren’t careful. Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injuries as they do not possess nearly as many safety features as passenger vehicles.

What type of injuries can result from a motorcycle accident? What are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents? How can you avoid becoming injured in a motorcycle accident? The following paragraphs will answer these questions and more.

Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding and intoxication are the two top causes of motorcycle accidents in the United States. Also, approximately 35% of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections, which could mean that drivers passing through intersections unsafely could also be a common factor in these crashes.

Mechanical bike failures having to do with the tires, brakes, or engines also are common factors in motorcycle accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that operator error is also a commonality among motorcycle accidents.

Top Motorcycle Injuries

Injuries almost always result from a motorcycle crash, even if the motorcyclist is traveling at low speeds. Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries are as follows:

  • Head Injuries: Traumatic Brain Injuries or TBIs can have long-lasting and detrimental effects. These effects include trouble concentrating, seizures, loss of motor skills, sleep apnea, among others. What kind of problems result from a head injury depends on what part of the brain has been affected.

  • Road Rash: When a motorcyclist is forced to slide across the pavement or is thrown over their handlebars, road rash usually is the result. Road Rash is not just a cut or a scrape, it can lead to permanent skin damage such as scarring, irritation, infection, and surface nerve damage.

  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Depending on the severity of a spinal cord injury, it could cause paralysis, numbness, and loss of motor function.

  • Broken Bones: Broken bones are some of the most common injuries suffered in motorcycle accidents. If a person’s body hits the pavement too hard or is forced to bend in a way it does not naturally, broken bones could result.

  • Muscle Damage: During a motorcycle collision, it is not uncommon for a rider’s body to experience extreme muscle damage. Severe road rash can scrape away several layers of muscle, while extreme impacts can rupture muscle tissue.

Preventing Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Becoming injured in a motorcycle accident in Anchorage can be stressful, scary, and painful. It can also be frustrating, especially if you are under the impression that your injuries were the result of another person’s negligence. Contact a personal injury attorney in Anchorage in the event that you believe that the carelessness of another person caused your injuries. The Law Office of Jason Skala in Anchorage will be able to inform you of your legal right toward financial compensation, as well as help you exercise that right so that you can financially move forward after your recent accident.

Although there are always some risks associated with riding a motorcycle, there are some ways to reduce the prevalence of these risks.

  • Always wear a helmet. Information provided by the Centers for Disease Control stated that over 1,800 lives were saved in 2017 by helmets.

  • Wear protective clothing. Thick clothing is important in preventing road rash. Thick clothes can scrape against the ground and fare better than your skin does on the pavement.

  • Keep up on maintenance. Check your bike to make sure everything is in safe riding condition before every trip. Check the tire pressure, tread depths, reflectors, fluid levels, lights, etc.

  • Never ride intoxicated. Riding your bike intoxicated puts your life and everyone around you at risk for injury or death.

In the event that you or someone you love has sustained injuries in a traffic accident in Anchorage, contact the Law Office of Jason Skala at your earliest convenience. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless awarded financial compensation for your injuries and losses. Call our law office in order to be connected with a skilled and experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Anchorage.