Motorcycle Accidents and Fractures
Fractures are a common motorcycle accident injury, because the body cannot withstand intense pressure when an exposed rider slams into another vehicle. Any bone fracture causes pain and can leave a motorcyclist stuck at home in a cast. These broken bones also have serious complications, and some people are at risk of lifelong impairments or disability. Call Snyder Heitman Injury Attorneys today to discuss your motorcycle accident injuries. We can provide more information about the claims process in a free consultation.
What Bones Are Most Likely to Break in a Motorcycle Accident?
A motorcyclist can break any bone, but the following are most common:
Femur. The femur is your thigh bone. It can break in high-energy impacts. The femoral artery running along the bone is one of the major arteries in the body and carries blood to the heart. A broken femur could slice into this artery, leading to massive blood loss in a short amount of time. Some people die from these injuries.
- Tibia and fibula. These are the bones in the lower leg. The lower leg is the most exposed part of the body for a motorcyclist, so it’s never surprising that the tibia or fibula could break. A person can fracture either on direct impact or when they fall from the bike and land on the road. A fibula break often leads to a compound fracture, where the bone pushes through the body. This type of injury has a high risk of infection.
- Patella (kneecap). The kneecap can fracture in an accident, especially when a person jams their knee into the ground or the vehicle that strikes them. The patella is located near critical tendons, which can also be torn or stretched. Knee surgery is common.
- The collarbone (clavicle) can fracture during a motorcycle crash, especially when a motorcyclist is thrown from their bike. Clavicles often fail to heal properly, leading to nonunion or malunion. A broken clavicle can also damage the brachial plexus nerves nearby, causing weakness and pain in a person’s arms and hands.
- Pelvic fracture. The pelvis can crack in a high-impact crash. This type of injury makes it very difficult to walk, so someone will be in a wheelchair for possibly months.
- Rib fracture is common for motorcyclists. Unfortunately, rib fractures carry many complications, including the risk of a collapsed lung or pneumonia because of an inability to breathe deeply.
As you can see, a broken bone is not a simple injury. Anyone who feels intense pain after a collision should go to the hospital for an x-ray and proper diagnosis. Complicated fractures often need screws, pins, or plates inserted, and a doctor can immediately address any complications.
Contact Our Office Today
A Greenville motorcycle accident lawyer can meet with you to discuss any fracture or other injury suffered in a crash. Our objective as your law firm is to uncover who is liable for the accident and then seek financial compensation in a settlement or lawsuit. Contact Snyder Heitman Injury Attorneys for a free consultation. We help those in Spartanburg, Greenville, and Upstate South Carolina.
Sources:
scienceinsights.org/how-long-does-it-take-to-bleed-out-from-a-femoral-artery/
newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/rib-fractures-can-result-in-serious-complications/