Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries—and What to Do if You’ve Been Hurt

Riding a motorcycle offers freedom, speed, and adrenaline—but it also comes with significant risks. Unlike cars, motorcycles don’t offer much protection in a collision, which means riders are far more vulnerable to serious injury. Even a low-speed crash can lead to painful, long-lasting consequences for motorcyclists.

Let’s look at the most common ways bikers are hurt in a motorcycle collision and what they can do to protect themselves afterward.

5 Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

1. Road Rash

Road rash is a skin abrasion caused when a rider is hit and thrown from the bike and slides across the pavement. Depending on the severity, road rash from motorcycle accidents can range from superficial scrapes to deep wounds that damage nerves, muscles, or even bone.

Severe cases of road rash may require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring. Even with protective gear, exposed areas can suffer significant damage in a high-speed crash.

2. Broken Bones

The force of a collision or impact with the ground often results in broken bones. Common fractures include:

• Arms and wrists (from trying to break a fall)
• Legs and ankles
• Ribs
• Collarbone

These injuries can require surgery, physical therapy, and months of recovery—impacting your ability to work or enjoy daily life.

3. Head Injuries

Head trauma is one of the most serious consequences of a motorcycle crash. Even with a helmet, riders can suffer:

• Concussions
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Skull fractures

Head injuries can lead to cognitive dysfunction, memory loss, personality changes, or lifelong disabilities. Many victims depend on compensation from motorcycle head injury lawsuits to pay for medical costs and long-term losses.

4. Spinal Cord Injuries

Motorcycle crashes can cause damage to the spine, including herniated discs, fractures, or even full or partial paralysis. Spinal cord injuries from a motorcycle crash are often life-changing, requiring long-term care, assistive devices, and major lifestyle adjustments.

5. Internal Injuries

Blunt-force trauma in a crash can result in internal bleeding or damage to the spleen, lungs, liver, or other organs. These injuries may take time to show symptoms, making it critical to seek medical attention even if you don’t feel severely hurt at the scene.

Understanding Liability in Motorcycle Accidents in California

In California, liability for motorcycle accidents is determined by negligence, meaning the driver who acted carelessly or failed to follow the rules of the road is typically held financially responsible. Because motorcyclists have less protection than other drivers, even a minor act of negligence by someone else can lead to serious, sometimes catastrophic injuries.

Common driver behaviors that lead to these motorcycle injury types in California include:

• Failure to yield the right of way, especially during left turns
• Unsafe lane changes, including not checking blind spots
• Following too closely, which can lead to rear-end collisions
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Speeding or aggressive driving

California’s Comparative Fault Rule

California follows a pure comparative fault system. This means that more than one party can share legal responsibility for an accident, including the motorcyclist. If you’re partially at fault for the crash, you can still collect compensation, but your percentage of fault is deducted from your settlement.

For example, if you’re awarded $50,000 in damages but found to be 10% at fault, your total recovery would be reduced to $45,000.

Insurance companies often try to assign a portion of the blame to motorcyclists to reduce how much they have to pay. That’s why it’s crucial to have an attorney with motorcycle accident experience who can refute unfair fault assessments and protect your right to full compensation.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve been in a motorcycle crash, it’s vital to take the right steps to protect your health and financial future:

• Get medical attention immediately. Even if you feel okay, it’s crucial to get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries may not show symptoms right away, and early documentation is essential for any insurance claim or legal case.
• Call the police. Always report the accident to law enforcement. They will create and file an official police report, which will be valuable evidence later on. Be sure to obtain a copy of this report when it’s available.
• Collect evidence. If you can, gather as much information at the scene as possible to support your case during settlement negotiations or in court. This includes photos of the crash site, contact and insurance info for the other driver, and names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
• Avoid talking to the other driver’s insurer. The other driver’s insurer may try to downplay your injuries or offer a low settlement. Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything without first speaking to an attorney.
• Consult a personal injury lawyer. Motorcycle accident claims can be legally complex and emotionally draining. Our personal injury lawyers handle the legal work while you focus on recovering from motorcycle crash injuries in Bakersfield.

Contact Chain | Cohn | Clark for a no-obligation, free case review today.