The Risk of Lower Extremities Injuries in Maryland Motorcycle Accidents

Maryland Motorcycle Accidents

It does not take an engineer to realize that serious injuries are common in motorcycle crashes.  Due to the vehicle design and size compared to other cars and trucks on Baltimore roadways. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shed light on some disturbing information that should be cause for concern among riders. Its report on Lower Extremity Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes the NHTSA revealed that almost half of all motorcycle accidents lead to injuries to the motorcyclist’s feet, ankles, shins, thighs, and hips. For many victims, trauma to the lower part of the body could lead to extended time off work and even permanent disability. In addition to the medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses that result from a crash.

Fortunately, you may qualify to recover compensation for your losses, and you can trust a Baltimore motorcycle accident attorney to assist with the legal process. You might also find it useful to learn about additional statistics and the unique factors involved with lower extremities injuries from motorcycle collisions.

Motorcycle Collisions and Lower Extremity Injury Statistics

Additional data reveals the extent of the problem with injuries to the lower body in a crash.

  • The highest rate of lower extremity trauma occurs in front and side impact motorcycle accidents.
  • As a whole, the leg is most likely to suffer serious injuries, followed by the pelvic area, knee, and thigh.
  • Hip injuries account for just 4% of all lower extremity injuries, but they tend to involve the most severe trauma. More than 37% of motorcycle crash hip injuries are dislocations.
  • On average, victims who suffer lower body injuries in motorcycle accidents spend around $21,000 just on hospitalization costs.

Causes and Risk Factors in Maryland Motorcycle Accidents

While motorcycle accidents sometimes occur for the same reasons as other motor vehicle collisions, there are other causes that are unique to motorcycles. For example:

  • Two-wheeled vehicles are less balanced, so motorcycles are affected by road conditions to a greater extent than cars. Potholes, slick surfaces, and sharp curves are more likely to lead a rider to lose control.
  • Riders do not enjoy protection from a metal barrier. Though later models are equipped with additional safety features, most motorcycles do not have air bags.
  • A motorcyclist will almost always be ejected or fall from the vehicle, leading to a secondary impact, which can be worse than the initial contact.
  • Because motorcycles are narrower and lower in profile, the vehicle is not always visible to other motorists. Crashes often occur simply because a driver does not see a rider.

Speak to a Baltimore County, MD Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free 

Lower extremity injuries are the most common form of trauma from motorcycle collisions. However you could suffer a wide range of other bodily harm in a crash. It is a relief to know that Maryland law protects your interests as a victim. So you could be eligible for monetary damages to cover your devastating losses. For more information on your legal remedies, please contact attorney Michael A. Freedman to set up a free consultation today.

Share this article:
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Print
Scroll to Top