Naturally, motorcycle season comes with motorcycle accidents and the serious injuries that tragically come with them. Before getting on a motorcycle, it is important for you to know the types of injuries that may occur in the case of an accident.

What are the chances of injury on a motorcycle?

According to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), 42 motorcyclists were killed on provincially patrolled roads in 2020. Of those, 37 crashes did not involve another vehicle.

While these numbers represent a very small share of Ontario motorcyclists, remember that motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than other drivers in an accident and face a greater chance of injury.

What are the most common motorcycle injuries in Ontario?

Motorcycle accidents, especially those at higher speeds, can result in catastrophic injuries and even death. Motorcycle accident injuries can often result in:

Road rash

While protective clothing can make a difference, road rash remains a common consequence of motorcycle accidents. This can range from minor abrasions to grazes and scrapes, to major dermal damage that requires emergency medical attention and an extended recovery time.

If you have been in an accident and the resulting injury was road rash, ensure you keep the area clean and keep an eye out for possible infection. It is important that you speak with a medical professional to ensure the injury does not worsen over time and that you are administering proper care to the injury.

Broken bones

Another common outcome of a motorcycle accident is broken bones. When you suffer a major impact to your body, your bones can partially or completely fracture. Although the severity and type of fracture can vary, this is a dangerous injury that can have life-long implications.

Accident victims can also suffer sprains: torn or stretched ligaments occur when the muscles and tissue that connect two bones are extended beyond their ability. Sprains can lead to health issues such as chronic pain and arthritis, conditions that impact someone for their entire life.

If you have suffered broken bones or strains, it is important to connect with medical help to ensure you understand your options and are receiving the best care possible.

Neck injuries

Rear-end collisions can cause whiplash, sometimes with serious long-lasting symptoms that can cause severe disability. Neck injuries are incredibly dangerous, and it is important you understand the symptoms that can indicate a neck injury.

If you have been in an accident and have injured your neck, you may experience severe headaches or migraines, muscle spasms, pain and stiffness, difficulty moving your head, dizziness, difficulty breathing and even mobility and muscle issues. These symptoms are dangerous, and you need to contact a medical professional to assess your injuries.

Spinal injuries

Spinal injuries and other back injuries are common injuries faced after an accident. These are typically classified as a spinal cord injury (SCI). SCIs are dangerous, and depending on the severity of the damage can cause a loss of motor function, including mobility and feeling.

If you have been in a motorcycle accident, or any accident where you experienced traumatic impact to your back, you may have heard of the term spinal cord trauma. This trauma is a result of injury to your vertebrae, ligaments, disks in your spinal cord, or the actual spinal cord. These injuries can include fractures, dislocation or compression of the spinal cord leading to severe pain and issues with nerve function and bodily movement.

Engaging a good legal and medical team after an accident that resulted in an SCI is important, as these injuries can lead to life-long implications, and you may be entitled to compensation.

Head injuries

Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act (HTA) requires all motorcyclists (with very limited exceptions) to wear a helmet while riding. However, while a motorcycle helmet can reduce or in some cases prevent an injury, it cannot guarantee protection against all harm.

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon to suffer a serious head injury or even a brain injury from a motorcycle accident. Concussions are classified as brain injuries and are typically caused by impact to the head. These types of injuries affect brain function. Although effects are typically temporary, concussions can be dangerous and need to be evaluated by a medical professional.

Do I need a Hamilton motorcycle accident lawyer?

If you have been in a motorcycle accident and have suffered an injury, the toll on your life and those of your loved ones can be severe. Receiving compensation for your injuries can be complicated, and it is important you access the help you need to receive the compensation necessary for your recovery.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a motorcycle accident, you need the help of a motorcycle injury lawyer. It is common for insurance companies to impede your progress when seeking to resolve your accident case. By gathering physical clues, locating witnesses and getting in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can move your case forward in an efficient manner.

Contact the lawyers at The Morris Law Group

Contact The Morris Law Group for a free no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers. We have been practising personal injury law in Hamilton and the Golden Horseshoe for over 60 years. We ensure that your rights are preserved and that you receive the personal attention you deserve. At our law firm we work on a contingency basis, meaning that you don’t pay until your case settles.

All personal injury firms will work to get you the best settlement, but only at The Morris Law Group will you get the care and support you need at such a difficult time. Contact us today.