A simple motorcycle crash or bike accident can cause severe damage to any part of your body depending on the severity or type of the crash. But the most important organ of your body that can be affected is your brain and Motorcycle Helmet is the only protective gear that can save you from such trauma.
Motorcycle Crash Report Statistics
Understanding the most common injuries in motorcycle accidents is vital for both riders and road safety awareness.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mentioned that riders face 26% more casualty risk in motorcycle accidents than in passenger vehicles. Also, the likelihood of sustaining injuries is five times (5X) greater for motorcyclists.
Motorcycle crash Percentage compared to passenger vehicle
In a recent year, NHTSA documented 4,957 motorcycle rider fatalities, marking a 7 percent increase. During the same period, 93,000 motorcyclists suffered injuries due to accidents.
Motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic-related fatalities, with a fatality rate of 23.41 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, compared to 0.90 for passenger cars.
These statistics underscore the pressing need for motorcycle safety awareness and measures to mitigate the risks faced by riders on our roadways.
What is A Brain Injury?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention refers the disruption of normal function of brain as a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury.
From mild TBIs like concussion to severe TBI effects like redering comatose to a victim may occur from getting hurt on the head or skull area. Riders riding without the helmet, faces more fatality from these type of TBIs when an accident occurs.
Brain Injury Statistics From Motorbike Crash
You may amazed but the fact that 25% of the total brain injury hospitalization occurs from motorcycle crashes is true. The only thing that protects your head from getting brain injury is your helmet and the following stats are presented here to inspire you to ride wearing helmet always.
Around 54% of brain injury hospitalization deaths every year from motorcycle crashes, meaning you have a 46% chance of living after getting a head or brain injury.
But physical disability, spinal cord injury, or even multiple sclerosis lies also within this 46%. So, even if you may live, but you may never return to your normal activities.
Even if you are ready to ride without a protective helmet, then I should write your name among the upcoming dead riders, who once thrived on the road with exceptional skills. I should not say things like that in a blog but I have seen faces of family members who lost their loved ones. And I don’t want to see it anymore.
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10 Major Head Injuries From Motorcycle Crash
So, you already know about the fatality of a motorbike crash impacting your head. But those were the reports but what are the major injuries that a motorcycle rider faces? It’s time to learn about the major head injuries from motorcycle crashes.
1. Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
TBI or Traumatic brain injuries are the most common head injuries reported in most motorcycle crashes. As TBI occurs from a direct blow, bump, or a jolt to the head, Helmet is the only protective gear preventing it.
- Why: TBIs result from impacts to the head.
- How Helmets Help: Helmets provide a cushioning layer that absorbs and disperses impact forces, reducing the risk of brain injury.
2. Skull Fractures:
- Why: Direct blows to the head can cause fractures.
- How Helmets Help: Helmets provide a hard outer shell that absorbs and spreads impact forces, reducing the risk of skull fractures.
3. Facial Trauma:
- Why: Facial injuries occur upon face-first impacts.
- How Helmets Help: Full-face helmets offer protection for the face, reducing the risk of facial trauma.
4. Cervical Spine Injuries:
- Why: Whiplash-like motions can strain or fracture the neck.
- How Helmets Help: Helmets stabilize the head and neck during impact, reducing the risk of cervical spine injuries.
5. Spinal Cord Injuries:
- Why: Severe impacts like a twisted head can damage the spinal cord.
- How Helmets Help: By preventing head injuries, helmets indirectly reduce the risk of spinal cord injuries.
6. Abrasions and Lacerations:
- Why: Skin can be scraped off upon impact with the road.
- How Helmets Help: Helmets cover the face and chin, reducing the risk of facial abrasions and lacerations.
7. Dental Injuries:
- Why: Direct face-first crash force can lead to broken teeth or jaw fractures.
- How Helmets Help: Full-face helmets protect the jaw and mouth, reducing the risk of dental injuries.
8. Psychological Trauma:
- Why: Witnessing or experiencing severe accidents can be mentally distressing.
- How Helmets Help: By preventing or mitigating severe injuries, helmets reduce the likelihood of traumatic experiences.
Motorcycle Crash Injury FAQ
What are the problems of not wearing a helmet?
Not wearing a helmet increases the risks of severe head injuries including concussions and traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, not wearing a helmet exposes you to facial and cranial injuries, which can have a lifetime impact on your injured area. Also the legal consequences and fines, depending on your location’s helmet laws will be there if you ride without a helmet. Overall, the problems of not wearing a helmet extend far beyond the immediate risks, impacting both your safety and legal standing.
What happens if you don't wear a helmet on a motorcycle?
Riding a motorcycle without wearing a helmet exposes yourself to severe risks like TBIs, concussions, facial & dental trauma, delusion and skull fractures depending on the impact force. Additionally, the police car may pull you aside to charge based on the legal actions of not wearing a helmet in a particular area. Often, riding without an helmet and a crash afterwards is not covered under the insurance policy.
What is the most common injury from a motorcycle accident?
The most common injury resulting from a motorcycle accident is head injury. When riders don’t wear helmets, they are at an elevated risk of experiencing head trauma, including concussions, brain contusions, and skull fractures. Mostly the Traumatic Brain Injury is the most common injury from a motorcycle accident.
What are the most common injuries in motorcycle crashes?
What are the traumatic motorcycle injuries?
Traumatic motorcycle injuries encompass a broad spectrum of severe injuries that can result from accidents. These injuries may include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal organ damage, and severe lacerations. The consequences of such injuries can be life-altering, emphasizing the need for protective gear like helmets to minimize these risks.
What to do if you are injured in a motorcycle accident?
If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, prioritize your safety and well-being. First, seek immediate medical attention. Even for seemingly minor injuries, as some injuries may not be immediately apparent. Next, report the accident to the appropriate authorities and gather essential information. If possible collect the contact details of witnesses. Contact your insurance company to initiate the claims process. Also consider consulting a personal injury attorney to navigate any legal matters arising from the accident. Lastly, get to your most trusted bike repair shop and get it all geared up.
What happens to the brain in a motorcycle crash?
In a motorcycle crash, the brain is vulnerable to significant trauma, even in cases of mild impact. Without a helmet, the brain can experience acceleration-deceleration injuries, leading to concussions or more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These injuries can have long-lasting consequences, affecting cognitive and motor functions, underscoring the critical importance of wearing a helmet to protect the brain. Seek immediate medical attention if have a head bump or hurt skull from a motorcycle crash.
What happens to the human body in a motorcycle accident?
In a motorcycle accident, the human body can sustain a range of injuries. Besides head injuries, the body is susceptible to fractures, road rash, abrasions, and internal injuries. Moreover, riders are at risk of being thrown from their bikes, which can result in secondary injuries. Wearing protective gear, especially a helmet, is essential to minimize these risks and protect the body during a motorcycle accident.
Conclusion
We have reached the bottom section of our blog post regarding the impact of not wearing a helmet and the most 10 injuries riders face from motorcycle crash. An accident is an accident as it doesn’t announce itself before appearing. But our preparation and mindset to avoid one can keep our bodies intact and safe from falling into one.
We often face accidents due to other’s faults but those are avoidable too if parties are equally careful enough. By wearing protective gears and riding under the traffic rules can keep us safe from facing injuries like TBIs or facial traumas or even a life-altering spinal cord injuries. Let’s keep the roads clean from crashes and accidents and let’s protect lives along the way.