If you’ve been involved in a rear-end motorcycle accident, you are not alone. Each year, more than 5,000 people are killed in motorcycle accidents and more than 90,000 are injured. Knowing what to expect and the steps to take after an accident can help save your life and protect your rights. In this article, we’ll discuss the common injuries associated with rear-end motorcycle accidents and provide information on how to best handle the situation. If you’ve been hit from behind on a motorcycle, do not hesitate to reach out to our team.
Common injuries
Rear-end motorcycle accidents can lead to a variety of serious injuries. Due to the nature of this kind of accident, head and neck injuries are some of the most common ones you will see. According to the National Safety Council, head and neck injuries accounted for 29 percent of all motorcycle fatalities in 2018. Other common injuries associated with rear-end motorcycle accidents include:
- Road rash: This is a common injury among motorcyclists due to their lack of protection when they are thrown from the bike. Road rash can cause significant pain, swelling, and skin discoloration. In more severe cases, road rash may lead to infection or nerve damage.
- Broken bones: When you’re the victim of a rear-end collision, you may be thrown from your bike and suffer broken bones as a result. In addition to causing immense physical pain, it can also have significant financial repercussions due to time off from work and medical bills associated with recovery.
- Spinal cord injuries: The spine is made up of many vertebrae that are highly vulnerable to injury in an accident. If your spine sustains trauma during a collision, it could lead to long-term complications such as paralysis or chronic pain. Unfortunately, spinal cord injuries are often permanent and require lifelong medical care.
- Loss of limb: Rear-end collisions can cause traumatic amputations if limbs become trapped beneath the vehicle that hit you or were otherwise mangled in the crash itself. The loss of a limb can drastically alter your life as you adjust both physically and emotionally to this new reality.
Steps you can take after an accident
What you do immediately after an accident may have a huge impact on how the accident will affect you inside and outside of the courtroom. Here are some steps you should take if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation:
- Seek medical attention right away: It’s important not only for your health but also for any legal action you decide to pursue. This is because having timely records documenting your injuries will help build your case against the other party involved in the crash and clearly show the nature and the extent of your injuries.
- Notify law enforcement about the accident: Make sure that an official report is filed so that there is a public record indicating who was responsible for causing the crash (as well as any other details related to it).
- Contact a qualified motorcycle accident attorney: You may be entitled to receive compensation from those responsible for causing your rear-end motorcycle accident. Having an experienced lawyer on your side will increase your chances of getting what’s owed to you legally under the law. A good attorney will also be able to guide you through any tricky legal situations by thoroughly explaining your rights along with providing helpful counsel throughout each step of proceedings.
Contact Our Overland Park Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
With decades of experience helping Kansas and Missouri residents who suffered severe motorcycle accident injuries, our Overland Park motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help. We focus on helping our clients recover what they have lost and will fight aggressively to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve. If you have been injured in an accident, fill out a contact form or call us at (913) 839-2808.