Lower Extremities Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents
The most common injuries that motorcycle riders suffer during an accident are those to the lower extremities, a study finds.
August 15, 2012
Anyone who has ridden a motorcycle knows the thrill of being out in the open with their bikes. But being exposed like this also has a serious drawback; when a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, the injuries can be severe or fatal.The most common types of injuries suffered by motorcyclists are injuries to the lower extremities, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). And, after reviewing motorcycle accident data from 1997 to 2006, the agency found that the most common injuries to the lower extremities are to motorcyclists' legs.
Common Types of Lower Extremity Injuries
Following are some of the common types of injuries that the DOT noted in its study:
- Legs: The most common injuries to the legs are fractures to the two main bones of the lower leg, the tibia and fibula, which accounted for about 95 percent of leg injuries. Other injuries to the legs included partial or full amputations and leg crushes.
- Ankles: About 90 percent of ankle injuries are fractures to the bony structures at the ends of the leg bones. In addition, there are a number of ankle dislocation injuries.
- Knees: Thirty-seven percent of knee injuries are fractures to the kneecap structure and 18 percent are ligament tears.
Costs of Treating Injuries to the Lower Extremities
The DOT also looked at the costs of treating injuries to the lower extremities caused by motorcycle crashes. When a biker suffered from one injury, the hospital costs were around $21,000. When a rider had two or more injuries to the lower extremities, the costs of treatment were upwards of $39,000.
Although it was noted that there may be long-term financial consequences associated with these injuries, more study needs to be done to determine the scope of long- and short-term disabilities.
Have You Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who can advise you of your rights. You may be eligible to receive compensation for your medical expenses, the income you have lost while you recuperate from your injuries, pain and suffering.
Article provided by The Law Firm of Phillips & Pelly
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