Motorcycle Accident Dangers: Spinal Injuries
It likely comes as no surprise that motorcycle riders are at far greater risk of injury when involved in an accident than are individuals in cars or trucks. Motorcycles lack many of the safety features that serve to protect automobile drivers in the event of a crash. One of the most significant differences is the fact that motorcyclists are not traveling in an enclosed carriage and have no barrier or restraints to prevent them from being violently ejected from the bike. As a result, motorcycle crashes that take place at any speed have the potential to cause serious injury.
Spinal injuries are perhaps the most devastating medical consequence that motorcycle accidents are likely to cause, and they can permanently alter one’s quality of life. If you have sustained a spinal injury in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, contact Iowa motorcycle injury lawyer Pete Leehey at 877-209-9452 to learn more about your legal options.
The Effects of Spinal Cord Damage
The spine protects the spinal cord, which contains the nerves that act as the primary means of communication between the brain and many of the body’s internal systems. The effects of a spinal injury are largely dictated by the vertical location of the damage along the spine. As a rule of thumb, voluntary and involuntary motions that are regulated below the point of injury on the spinal cord are likely to be compromised. As a result, injuries higher up on the spine are likely to cause more damage than those that occur further down.
Some of the potential consequences of a spinal injury suffered in a motorcycle accident are:
- Paralysis – total or partial quadriplegia or paraplegia
- Reduced motor control
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Loss of sensation
- Inability to breathe independently
Contact Us
Because there is so much inherent danger, it is important for motorcyclists to remain vigilant and for other motorists to be cautious and respectful when sharing the roadway. Contact Iowa motorcycle injury lawyer Pete Leehey at 877-209-9452 if you have been the victim of a spinal injury caused by another driver’s negligent operation of a motor vehicle.