As part of our focus this week on motorcycles and motorcycle accidents in the Houston area, we want to highlight the types of injuries riders can suffer in a crash – and how those injuries are handled when it comes to an insurance or personal injury claim. Houston’s heavy traffic, wide highways, and unpredictable weather make the city especially dangerous for motorcyclists. Whether the accident happens on I-45, the Katy Freeway, or a neighborhood road, riders face far greater risks than drivers protected by steel frames and airbags.

This article will explore the most common motorcycle accident injuries – from road rash and broken bones to traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries – and how each one can affect a legal claim. We’ll also discuss ways riders can reduce their risk through proper safety gear, defensive riding, and quick medical evaluation after a crash.

Road Rash

Road rash occurs when a rider’s skin scrapes against the pavement during a fall or slide. While you might have suffered something similar when you learned to ride a bike, road rash becomes much more dangerous when the rider moves at 20, 40, 60+ miles an hour. In severe cases, road rash can involve deep tissue damage and permanent scarring. Increasingly, road rash is recognized as more than a “minor scrape” in Texas motorcycle accident claims. Severe road rash can require skin grafts, cause permanent scarring, infection and nerve damage – and may be as medically complex as a broken bone or internal injury. For claimants, we must link the abrasion(s) and their treatment directly to the crash.

  • First-degree: Minor redness or irritation.
  • Second-degree: Broken skin, bleeding, and possible infection.
  • Third-degree: Extensive tissue loss that may require skin grafts.

In addition, road rash can cause infection, nerve damage, and long-term scarring are common if the wounds are not properly treated. In many cases, scarring can occur even with proper treatment – road burns can go that deep.

Prevention: While it is nearly impossible to remove any possibility of road rash, wearing abrasion-resistant gear such as leather jackets, reinforced pants, gloves, and boots can go a long way to protecting exposed skin. Modern textile materials with armor panels offer both flexibility and a high-level of protection – leather is generally considered to be the best protection against scrapes.

Head and Brain Injuries

Head injuries are among the most devastating outcomes of motorcycle crashes – and also the most complex. Even a low-speed impact can cause a concussion, skull fracture, or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Claims involving concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often have long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical effects that may not be immediately apparent. Successful claims rely on clear medical evidence connecting the head injury to the crash, expert testimony from neurologists or neuropsychologists, and thorough documentation of lost earning capacity and future care needs.

Because TBIs are considered catastrophic injuries under Texas law, victims can pursue both economic and non-economic damages for the lifelong impact of memory loss, mood changes, and reduced quality of life.

Prevention: There is no way to fully prevent head injuries while riding a motorcycle, especially concussions. However, wearing a helmet helps tremendously. Always wear a DOT-approved helmet. Replace any helmet that has been in an accident, even if it shows no visible damage. Helmets absorb impact energy and are proven to reduce fatal head injuries by nearly 40%.

Spinal Cord and Neck Injuries

Motorcycle crashes often throw riders from the bike, placing immense stress on the neck and spine. Spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis, chronic pain, or long-term or permanent mobility issues. These injuries are often caused by high-speed impacts, being struck by another vehicle, or landing awkwardly on the back or neck. Insurance companies often contest the extent of disability or attempt to attribute the pain/injury to pre-existing back issues. As part of your claim, our firm will work with specialists to determine the exact nature and extent of your injury to create documentation.

Prevention:

  • Wear armored jackets with integrated back protectors.
  • Maintain a defensive riding posture and keep a safe distance from other vehicles.

Fractures and Broken Bones

When a collision occurs, riders often instinctively put out their hands or feet to brace for impact – resulting in fractures to the wrists, arms, legs, or ribs. The severity can range from simple breaks to complex fractures requiring surgery or long rehabilitation.

Prevention: Reinforced gloves, boots, and armored riding pants help absorb impact forces. Avoid excessive speed or sudden lane changes, which increase the risk of being thrown from the motorcycle.

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Internal Injuries and Organ Damage

Not all motorcycle injuries are visible. Internal injuries occur when the rider’s body absorbs a strong impact – such as hitting the handlebars or fuel tank – causing bleeding or organ damage. Some of these injuries can include punctured lungs, ruptured spleens, and internal bleeding. These conditions can be life-threatening if not diagnosed quickly.

Prevention: Wear chest protectors to help distribute impact forces. Always seek immediate medical care after a crash, even if symptoms appear mild.

Psychological Trauma

Motorcycle accidents can leave lasting psychological effects, even after physical recovery. Riders frequently experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression following a serious crash. Claims for emotional trauma are more difficult to prove, as they rely on professional diagnoses and consistent treatment records from mental health providers. Documentation of therapy sessions, prescription records, and testimony from family members or counselors can support claims for non-economic damages such as emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life. Although these damages are subjective, they can be an important part of a comprehensive recovery, especially when trauma affects the rider’s ability to return to normal life or ride again.

Prevention and recovery: Mental health support, counseling, and gradual return to riding in controlled environments can help riders rebuild confidence after a crash.

Steps to Reduce the Risk of Motorcycle Injuries

Motorcycle riding is an inherently risky activity. Between the actual dangers of accidents and anti-motorcycle drivers that actively attempt to injure riders, the chances of a motorcycle accident are high. However, the risk (or severity) of injuries can be reduced in part by the following:

  • Take a certified motorcycle safety course to improve handling and awareness. Practice your riding at low speeds before getting on the highway.
  • Wear full protective gear every time you ride – helmet, gloves, jacket, pants, and boots. Riding in shorts and a t-shirt might look cool for a little bit, but multiple casts and a permanent road rash scars does not.
  • Inspect your motorcycle before each ride to ensure brakes, tires, and lights are functioning properly.
  • Avoid speeding, lane-splitting, and tailgating – these aggravate drivers and are the common causes of many motorcycle collisions.
  • Stay alert for distracted and aggressive drivers and maintain visibility with reflective gear and headlights.

Getting Medical Treatment After a Motorcycle Accident

After any crash, including one involving a motorcycle, seeking immediate medical attention is one of the most important steps you can take – both for your health and for protecting your legal rights. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline and shock can mask serious internal injuries or concussions. A prompt medical evaluation helps detect hidden trauma early and creates an official record linking your injuries to the accident.

When you visit a doctor or emergency room, explain clearly that your injuries came from a motorcycle accident and describe every symptom, even those that seem minor. Ask your doctor what additional testing may be necessary – such as X-rays, CT scans, or neurological evaluations – to rule out internal or delayed injuries. Request copies of all records, imaging results, and discharge summaries.

Finally, follow your doctor’s treatment plan exactly as prescribed. Missing appointments or practicing inconsistent care can weaken your claim by giving insurers an opportunity to argue that your injuries were either not as serious as claimed, or that your current level of injury is the result of not obeying your doctor’s regimen. Consistent medical documentation not only supports your recovery but also provides the evidence needed to demonstrate the true extent of your injuries and their impact on your life.

Hire a Motorcycle Injury Attorney in Houston

Motorcycle riding will always involve some level of risk, but most injuries can be prevented through proper training, equipment, and awareness. Taking safety seriously before every ride can mean the difference between minor injuries and life-altering trauma.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, contact The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian. Our team has years of experience representing injured motorcyclists across Houston and throughout Texas. We will help you understand your legal options and fight for the recovery you deserve.

Call 713-714-1414 or complete our online contact form today for a free consultation.