What Happens To The Human Body in a Motorcycle Wreck?

A motorcycle underneath the tires of a car following a collision on the road.

There's no shortage of scenarios that could turn a motorcycle ride into an ambulance ride. Whether the rider was:

Rear-ended by a speeding driver.
Struck by a distracted driver who failed to yield the right of way.
Side-swiped by an aggressive driver recklessly changing lanes.

Or they were the victim of another type of crash, and the results are typically the same for the rider in a motorcycle accident: severe and sometimes fatal injuries.

Understanding the human body's reaction to motorcycle accidents is key to promoting road safety. This Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, we're sharing knowledge to help emphasize the importance of sharing the road with bikers.

At Twenge + Twombley Law Firm, our motorcycle accident lawyers understand the challenges injured riders face when trying to recover compensation for their losses. That's why we're here to help hold negligent drivers accountable and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve after a serious motorcycle wreck.

How do motorcycle accident injuries happen?

When a motorcycle rider is struck by another moving vehicle or forced to crash their bike to avoid a collision, the impact can result in any number of severe injuries depending on factors such as speed and angle of impact. Here's what happens to motorcycle riders in various crash scenarios:

Rear-end motorcycle accidents. A common type of crash among all vehicle types, rear-enders are typically caused by negligent drivers failing to maintain a safe following distance or not paying attention to the road. When a motorcycle is hit from behind, the rider's body is often thrown forward into the handlebars or onto the road surface. Whiplash, fractures, and head trauma are frequent resulting injuries for bikers.
Motorcycle accidents in intersections. Crossroads can be hazardous for motorcycle riders. A biker could be struck from the side or T-boned by a vehicle failing to yield or running a red light. Depending on speed and angle, the motorcycle rider may suffer bone fractures, internal injuries, and head trauma.
Sideswipe motorcycle accidents. Lane-changing collisions happen when a rider is struck from the side as a vehicle changes lanes without noticing the motorcycle. This is usually due to the negligent driver's failure to check blind spots or use turn signals. This results in injuries involving impact trauma to the side of the body, leading to fractures, internal injuries, and road rash.
Head-on motorcycle accidents. This type of major crash may happen when another vehicle crosses oncoming traffic, or the driver fails to yield the right-of-way. When drivers are distracted or negligent, they may cut into the path of an oncoming bike, resulting in severe injuries like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, as well as internal and fatal injuries.
Rollover motorcycle accidents. When trying to avoid a negligent driver, a motorcycle rider may overcorrect and roll their bike. Accidents in which motorcyclists are forced off the road can cause multiple severe injuries, including fractures, abrasions, and head trauma.

When to contact a lawyer after a South Carolina motorcycle accident

Dealing with insurance adjusters can be daunting, especially when they try to pressure you into accepting a low settlement offer. That's why it's important to contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after a wreck.

You may think that the fault is clearly on the other driver, but insurance companies use stereotypes about "reckless" bikers to shift blame onto the victim, regardless of the actual circumstances. An experienced personal injury lawyer can handle communications with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring that your interests are represented and that you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you were injured or a loved one died in a motorcycle accident in South Carolina, contact us for a free case evaluation. A member of our team can listen to the details of what happened, understand your needs, and explain how our law firm can help. Our attorneys serve Beaufort, Bluffton, Hilton Head, and all of South Carolina.