Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Louisiana

When riding a motorcycle in Louisiana, the high-speed flow of traffic in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and the I-10 corridor poses a serious threat to motorcyclists, who are basically being ignored by other drivers who don’t check their blind spots. Knowing the most common motorcycle accident injuries in Louisiana can allow you to anticipate potential hazards.

If you suffer an accident anyway through no fault of your own, get in touch with the right legal help. A Baton Rouge motorcycle accident lawyer can represent you in any claim you may need to file.

Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Well-known for its experience in handling motorcycle accidents in Louisiana, The Lucky Law Firm, PLC, is a boutique firm that puts clients in charge of their cases, with direct access to their attorneys. If you ever need help after a crash, a Baton Rouge car accident lawyer from our team can guide you through the process.

Operating a 24-hour phone service, the firm takes on cases on a contingency fee basis so that you don’t have to worry about paying any upfront fees. We can meticulously review the medical results, gather all the necessary paperwork, correctly apply Louisiana motorcycle accident laws, and spell out each step in easy-to-understand language.

Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head injuries, which are a major concern for riders in Louisiana, are not prevented by helmet use. The force of a collision travels through the neck and skull. This can cause concussions, post-concussive syndrome, and traumatic brain injuries that may not be apparent for a few days.

When symptoms are experienced, they’re frequently disregarded as being caused by the adrenaline rush after the crash. Recording or sharing the symptoms with someone can be a great way to be sure a doctor monitors the signs and perhaps catches any problems much earlier.

A hospital visit in Lafayette or Baton Rouge will be all the more serious, and it may even involve a scan to see if there’s any swelling and bleeding, especially if symptoms of memory loss and/or blurred vision are noticed.

Road Rash and Soft Tissue Damage

Road rash can seem superficial, but it goes through layers of skin and muscle. People who fall off their motorcycles on I-10, Airline Highway, and Hooper Road in the heart of the state are at high risk of sliding across the surface of the road. They may also suffer nasty cuts that need regular cleaning and monitoring.

The risk of infection and severe soft tissue damage, such as bruising, ligament sprains, and muscle tears, is increased in motorcycle accidents. These won’t always be detected by medical imaging when such an incident happens in Louisiana’s boiling summer heat.

Well-known physical and occupational therapists in the state can watch out for signs of swelling, stiffness, and recovery for their patients who have been in a motorcycle crash.

Broken Bones and Joint Injuries

A crash on a motorcycle in Louisiana means that riders’ exposed extremities, such as their arms, wrists, collarbones, and legs, are at high risk of fractures, ranging from clean breaks to complex injuries that require surgery and stabilization. Knee and shoulder injuries are also fairly common as riders are thrown off their bikes by the force of the crash, sending them tumbling to the ground.

Orthopedic professionals here in Louisiana take a closer look at a patient’s bone alignment, ability to bear weight, and long-term goals when planning their treatment for fractures. It could be anything from a few weeks to a couple of months before a biker recovers from a fracture or joint injury, depending on the severity of the break and the joint involved.

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries may not be immediately apparent in a motorcycle crash victim, but they could lead to kidney damage, internal bleeding, and a whole host of other complications.

Emergency services in Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and Lake Charles often use CT scans and blood work to rule out problems, but the symptoms of an internal injury can sometimes be very faint. If someone is knocked into their chest or abdomen in a crash, they should see a doctor, even if they feel fine, just to check for any issues.

FAQs

What Injuries Occur in Motorcycle Accidents?

In motorcycle accidents, riders often suffer:

• Head and traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Soft-tissue injuries
• Organ damage

A motorcycle’s lack of protective casing places riders at high risk of direct contact. Because some injuries develop over hours or days, including nerve pain and mobility issues, medical providers often suggest reevaluation and imaging to assess what injuries may have developed.

What Is the Risk of Death From Riding a Motorcycle?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2023, 6,335 motorcyclists were killed by traffic accidents in the United States, or about 15% of all traffic deaths in the U.S. Although motorcycles only account for about 1% to 2% of registered vehicles, their fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled is exponentially higher than that of passenger vehicles.

Why Are Follow-Ups Important After a Motorcycle Accident?

Diagnostic testing and medical records after an accident may not be complete or fully explain all your injuries. This can be true in many cases, including injuries that develop hours or days after an accident, such as concussions, internal injuries, nerve or ligament damage, and soft-tissue injuries.

Follow-up records of medical visits, imaging, and physical therapy visits over time can give a clear record and timeline of the treatment process.

Can Road Type Be a Factor in Motorcycle Accidents?

Road conditions in Louisiana can be hazardous for motorcyclists, particularly on major highways and arterial roads, like I-10, Airline Highway, and those in the Lake Charles area, such as West Loop and North Canal. Hazards can include debris, uneven surfaces, potholes, and wet or slippery surfaces.

Road conditions can cause riders to lose control of the motorcycle, causing them to slide or crash into a fixed object. This can lead to injuries with greater severity, complexity, and variety.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The Lucky Law Firm, PLC, can represent clients through the changing stages of a motorcycle accident claim, foresee how their injuries will impact them later, and determine which information will be helpful in motorcycle accident cases. We can thoroughly examine medical records and distill the next steps for clients in clear terms. Contact us to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer today.