With the change of the seasons comes weather that is ideal for outdoor activities. Motorcycle owners in Colorado will be keen to get out onto the open roads. In doing so, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reminds riders special skills and exceptional coordination are necessary for the safe operation of motorcycles. Bikers have none of the protection offered to motorists, and the consequences of motorcycle accidents can be life-altering.
Reportedly, traumatic brain injuries and other head trauma cause most of the motorcycle accident-related fatalities. While helmets can protect riders from injuries that penetrate their skulls, they do not prevent the movement of the brain inside the skull. Even without penetration, severe brain damage can occur. According to the Center for Neuro Skills, fractured legs are the most common of all bike-crash injuries that send victims to the hospital. Other common fractures include arms, wrists, shoulders and pelvis.
Making contact with the road surface is par for the course in most motorcycle accidents because riders are not protected by an enclosed vehicle. For that reason, road rash is a common injury type, depending on the amount of skin that is left exposed and not covered by protective riding gear. The severity is classified as first-, second- and third-degree road rash, with first degree involving no more than a red skin surface. Second-degree occurs when the outer skin layers are broken, but no harm is done to the inner layers. When the contact with the road removes all the layers of the skin to expose the tissue and fat layers, critical care might be necessary for this third-degree road rash.
Colorado motorists might find they adjust to sharing the road with bikers after the long winter, and motorcycle accidents will likely occur. If such accidents result from the negligence of another party, an injured motorcyclist might have grounds to pursue claims for financial relief. Navigating the complexities of the civil justice system could be challenging, but an experienced personal injury attorney can simplify the process and increase the chances of damage recovery.
