Although everyone on the road is at risk of becoming injured in an automobile accident, motorcyclists in Tennessee face an even greater danger. Not only do they lack the protective barrier that a motor vehicle provides, but motorcycles do not come equipped with seat belts, air bags or other safety devices. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that wearing a helmet and other protective gear can help to decrease the severity of the damage, bikers may still suffer from a number of injuries.
One of the most common types of motorcycle injuries involves traumatic brain and spinal cord damage. Even when wearing a helmet, a hard jolt to the head can cause the brain tissue to smack into the hard bony interior of the skull, according to the CDC. In addition to causing immediate brain bleeding, bruising and inflammation, brain trauma can lead to long-term cognitive damage that could have lasting effects on a person’s life. If trauma should occur anywhere along the spinal cord, the biker may experience nerve damage or become paralyzed.
Broken bones and lacerations are also typical injuries encountered by bikers who are involved in a collision. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, motorcyclists may be hit with a sudden impact while traveling at a high rate of speed. Bikers may suffer bone fractures and severe lacerations as a result of being thrown from their bike.
Finally, road rash is common among people who have survived a motorcycle accident. Bits of rocks and other debris can become ingrained in the skin, which can cause infection and scarring.