Study indicates that older motorcyclists are more likely to be injured in a crash

February 23, 2013 (Press-News.org) Study indicates that older motorcyclists are more likely to be injured in a crash

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A study recently published in the journal Injury Prevention indicates that motorcyclists over the age of 60 are three times more likely to be hospitalized after a motorcycle crash than younger bikers. The study identified rib cage fractures as one of the most common injuries and suggests that reduced bone strength in older adults, combined with their ability to buy more powerful motorcycles, is likely to blame.

The study analyzed data from the U.S. National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program collected from 2001 to 2008 from 100 U.S. hospitals. Approximately 1.5 million adults over the age of 20 required hospitalization for injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes during the seven year study period. Overall, bikers over the age of 60 were three times more likely to be admitted to the hospital and two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer serious injury than those in their 20s and 30s. The authors of the study also point out that underlying illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and cardiac disease may also render older bikers more likely to require a hospital stay.

Older adults were more likely to suffer upper body fractures, while younger riders were more likely to suffer arm, shoulder and hand injuries. Physiological changes may be a primary contributing factor to this difference: as people age, bone strength decreases, as does the elasticity of the chest wall. In addition, researchers believe that this difference in injury type may be due to younger riders' faster reaction times: before a crash, they put out their hands and arms to protect their falls. In addition to delayed reaction times, altered balance and worsening vision may also contribute to older riders' tendency to suffer more serious injuries.

Although researchers were unable to collect data about motorcycle size, they suggest that it may be a factor contributing to the severity of accidents involving older riders. Older riders are more likely than younger riders to have the means to afford larger, more powerful motorcycles.

A personal injury attorney can help

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of someone else, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can assess your case and help you get the fair and adequate compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. For more information about what a personal injury attorney can do for you, contact a lawyer today.