Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries: Injuries to Upper Extremities (Arms, Elbows, Wrists), Torso, Spine

Statistics indicate that injuries to upper extremities are quite common in motorcycle accidents, due to a crumple zone effect where the upper portion of the rider’s body absorbs the frontal, brunt trauma of the crash. Another common injury often occurs when riders are thrown from their bike and instinctively put out their arms to break their fall.

As a result, motorcycle accidents can often result in upper extremity injuries. Common, non- fatal injuries include abrasions to the upper extremities, fractured arm, shoulder, elbow, and finger bones, and contusions (bruises).

Injuries to the torso and spine can also be extremely debilitating. Typical torso injuries include contusions, abrasions of the chest and/ or back, and broken ribs. Spine injuries from a motorcycle accident can be categorized as either “complete” or “incomplete” type of injury, depending on whether the connection to the brain has been wholly severed or not. A complete spinal injury results in a complete lack of motor and sensory function below the injury.

Spinal injuries are location dependant. A cervical spinal injury affects the area beginning from the base of the skull down to the eighth vertebrae (covering the neck region). Severe cervical spinal injuries will result in quadriplegia and complete paralysis. A thoracic spinal injury spans the area of the ninth vertebrae down to past the end of the rib cage, and is the longest area of the spine. An injury here can cause paraplegia.

The lumbar region of the spine (from end of rib cage to lower hip) and sacral region (lower hip) are below, respectively, and injuries to these areas can also result in paralysis or weakness in the legs.

If you have suffered any of the injuries described here, it is imperative that you speak with our dedicated team of catastrophic accident lawyers at Grillo Law.

At Grillo Law, we have over 30 years of experience litigating claims involving motorcycle accidents.  We can help you better understand the law and assist you in recovering the compensation that you deserve.  If you or a loved one have sustained injuries while riding a motorcycle, call Grillo Law at  416 – 614 – 6000 for a FREE consultation.

Remember, you will not pay any fees until your case is won or settled.