Understanding Internal Injuries After Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents can result in severe injuries for the motorcycle driver and any passengers on the bike. Often, motorcycle accident injuries are rather obvious, such as major lacerations or broken bones. However, there are times when internal injuries occur as a result of a motorcycle collision, but the signs and symptoms are not immediately obvious. Here, we want to discuss internal injuries that can occur after a motorcycle accident as well as the importance of seeking immediate medical assistance when these collisions happen.

Common Types of Internal Injuries After a Motorcycle Crash

When working to understand the most common types of internal injuries after a motorcycle accident in Colorado, we want to look at blunt trauma, penetrating trauma, and decelerating trauma.

• Blunt force trauma. This type of trauma occurs anytime the body hits or is struck by an object that does not cause penetration to the body. However, just because something does not cause penetration does not mean that it won’t cause significant internal damage. Often, there is very little evidence that blunt force trauma has occurred, particularly because the skin usually has not been penetrated. Blunt force trauma can cause broken bones, internal organ damage, internal organ rupturing, internal bleeding, and more.
• Penetrating trauma. This type of trauma occurs anytime a foreign object pierces through the skin and enters the bodily tissue, creating an open wound. Typically, these types of injuries are more obvious than blunt force trauma because there will be pain and blood loss. In a motorcycle accident, penetrating trauma can be caused by pieces of a vehicle entering a person’s body, by bones breaking through the skin, or by fixed objects entering the body as a result of the crash. Penetrating trauma can lead to major blood loss, internal organ damage, laceration of veins and arteries, and more.
• Decelerating trauma. This type of trauma occurs anytime the organs shift inside of the body as a result of a rapid speeding up or slowing down. For example, decelerating trauma can occur if a motorcyclist slams into a vehicle or fixed object, bringing them to a sudden halt. When the motorcyclist’s body stops, the organs will continue in the direction of movement and then jolt back in the other direction. Any organ inside the body can suffer from decelerating trauma, including abdominal organs, the heart, as well as the brain.

Any of these types of traumas can result in significant internal bleeding, particularly when they occur to the head, liver, explain, heart, arteries, or major veins. Blunt, penetrating, and decelerating trauma can occur in high-speed motorcycle accidents as well as low-speed collisions.

Seek Medical Care Immediately Following a Crash

If you or somebody you love has been involved in a motorcycle accident in Colorado, you need to seek medical care immediately. Please understand that the signs and symptoms of some motorcycle accident injuries, including internal injuries, may not appear until hours or days after the collision occurs. Waiting to seek medical care until signs and symptoms arise could result in long-lasting internal damage. Go to the doctor or hospital immediately after a crash so an evaluation can be conducted.

History of Success

The Denver motorcycle accident lawyers at Bendinelli Law Firm have helped countless motorcycle riders throughout Colorado seek the compensation they deserve after devastating accidents. Recently, our legal team recovered $1.5 million on behalf of a rider who was struck by a pick-up truck in an intersection. Although liability was disputed, our attorneys were able to secure a settlement to help cover extensive injuries, PTSD, and severe cognitive deficits. You can learn more about our success stories on our case results page.