Sunny, warm days are perfect for a ride on a motorcycle, which we have frequently in New Mexico. While motorcycles can be fun and exciting to ride, when they are involved in an accident, the resulting injuries and damage can be catastrophic. When your accident was caused by a distracted driver, speeding, or any other negligent action from another party, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. A lawyer from Buckingham & Vega Law Firm in Albuquerque will fight for your rights so that you don’t have to worry about paying for all these costs that you wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Nearly 5,000 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a collision, so it’s important to stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings to avoid a wreck. Let’s take a look at the possible injuries you could suffer from if you are involved in a motorcycle crash.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Before you get onto a motorcycle, it’s important that you understand the risk involved with riding a vehicle that offers less protection in the event of an accident. Unfortunately, accidents are not always preventable, even if you are the most careful rider, and injuries like these can happen:
- Lacerations and bruises. Lacerations are also known as cuts and can be caused by broken glass, metal, other sharp objects, or blunt force trauma that can be produced in a motorcycle crash. Bruises, also known as contusions, are also caused by blunt force trauma. Both of these injuries can result in the loss of a lot of blood, whether it’s external or internal bleeding.
- Road rash. In a motorcycle accident, you might slide across the road. This can cause large and deep abrasions along your skin, known as road rash. This injury can be dangerous because the wound can get infected or the cuts and pain from the rash could be hiding other injuries.
- Burns. Since you do not have the protection that a motor vehicle would have in an accident, you could be more susceptible to burns from the motorcycle or other vehicle in a motorcycle accident. If the burns are severe enough, they could cause permanent disfigurement.
- Broken bones. Like any accident, you could suffer from broken bones after the blunt force trauma of a collision with another vehicle, an object, or a pedestrian.
- Brain injury. Brain injuries can completely change the rest of your life. Although many brain injuries, like concussions, heal over time, they can also cause permanent disabilities, or even death, if they are severe enough.
- Spinal injury. Depending on the location along the spine, spinal cord injuries can leave you permanently disabled from the neck, chest, or waist down. These injuries could leave you reliant on medical services for the rest of your life, which would result in even more medical expenses.
On top of all of these serious injuries, death is also a real possibility after a motorcycle accident. Having an Albuquerque motorcycle accident lawyer on your side after a collision will allow you to focus on healing from your injuries while they handle the legal side of things.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
As with driving any vehicle, safety should always be your number one priority. Depending on the measurements of the motorcycle, children as young as 13 are eligible to be issued a motorcycle license when they complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course that’s offered by the New Mexico Motorcycle Safety Program, according to the New Mexico Driver Procedures Manual. Even though 13-year-olds are able to obtain a license, they are not allowed to have a passenger until they are 18. When a motorcycle rider over 18 goes to get a motorcycle license, they are not required to take the safety course.
Since you might not have had to take a safety course before getting your license, you could benefit from these motorcycle safety tips from the NHTSA:
- Wear a helmet. Helmets reduce fatalities of motorcyclists by about 40%. According to New Mexico law, any driver or passenger on a motorcycle who is under 18 is required to wear a helmet. Although the legal requirement for a helmet ends at 18 years old, it is still safest to wear one whenever you are riding on or operating a motorcycle because you never know when an accident might happen.
- Wear other protection. Since you are more vulnerable on a motorcycle, you should wear clothes that cover your arms and legs. Boots and gloves will also help you while riding because they cover your skin and provide extra protection.
- Ride responsibly. Always make sure you are following the law, speed limit, and are obeying traffic patterns while riding. Drivers in motor vehicles will be able to see you better if you are following the rules of the road. Riding defensively is your best line of protection, which means you should never assume that other drivers can see you. Be wary of other drivers and always be vigilant.
- Never drive under the influence. Just like any other vehicle, it’s illegal to drive a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Driving a motorcycle drunk is even more dangerous than a car because driving relies on your balance, which is greatly affected by alcohol.
Let Buckingham & Vega Law Firm Represent You
Motorcycle accident injuries can be devastating. The experienced Albuquerque motorcycle accident lawyer from Buckingham & Vega Law Firm will know exactly how to represent you and get you the compensation you deserve after your wreck. Contact our office today so that we can get started on your case.
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