Motorcycles are exhilarating to use, yet they’re incredibly perilous. As a lightweight machine with two wheels, it can go extremely risky on the road. The absence of physical protection afforded by enclosed vehicles exposes motorcyclists to higher chances of accidents and injuries.
Causes Of Motorcycle Injuries
Motorcycle incidents can be caused by factors including road conditions and human error. When changing lanes, drivers must be careful and wary of other vehicles traversing. It’s always helpful to activate your signal lights and make sure the road is safe before making your move.
Motorcycle collisions can also happen in drivers prone to overspeeding and alcohol intoxication. As you may already know, drunk driving can impair inhibitions and senses, causing delayed reaction and error in judgment.
Common Types Of Motorcycle Injuries
Depending on the impact and other circumstances, a motorcycle injury can cause harm such as bruises, scratches, scrapes, and other forms of soft tissue injuries. According to injuredcalltoday.com and other online sources about vehicular accidents, these mild injuries can be treated without surgeries.
Moderate to serious injuries may lead to bone fractures, road rash, brain and spine injuries, internal hemorrhage, and nerve damages. A permanent disfigurement may be experienced in severe cases.
Road To Recovery
When motorcycle accidents happen, physical and mental issues are likely to plague the driver. In cases of more serious cases, insurance and damage claims may be filed, potentially causing further recovery problems for those involved.
Whether you’re a novice or seasoned motorcycle driver, this article shows you how you can recover faster from potentially debilitating injuries caused by crashes.
1. Emergency Medical Care
One of the keys to fast recovery from injuries is immediate medical intervention. Motorcycle riders should always keep this in mind because emergency medical care can save lives in some cases of serious collisions. Delayed medical attention is one of the reasons for road fatalities in low to middle-income countries.
Not all injuries manifest immediately after a motorcycle collision. Your adrenaline is at an all-time high after this type of accident, causing you to feel numb. As a result, you’ll be less sensitive to pain for several hours.
More importantly, check if you feel symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness because these may be a sign of a head injury.
2. RICE Method
The rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) method has been around for decades and is thought to be beneficial for soft tissue injuries. As a self-care technique practiced by millions and recommended by physicians for faster injury healing, this is a straightforward instruction on how to deal with minor motorcycle injuries or post-operative conditions.
All you have to do is place an ice on the affected area for about ten minutes, take it off for about five minutes, and place it again. Don’t apply it to the affected area for more than 15 minutes or you’ll risk having frostbite or tissue damage.
Do this as soon as possible on soft tissue injuries except for instances when there’s an open wound or a fracture is suspected.
3. Traditional Chinese Medicine
Another way to ease soft tissue injuries is through traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). You can visit a TCM practitioner to ask about acupressure, massage or tui na, and moxibustion or moxa.
Acupuncture has been practiced for thousands of years and is believed to be effective in relieving pain as well as activating the body’s immune system. This method, which involves strategically placing needles on strategic areas of your body, can help improve circulation and minimize inflammation. Complemented by moxibustion, which involves the burning of a Chinese herb called mugwort, it can make you feel better and relieve pain and soreness. Click here for other information on TCM as well.
4. Physical Therapy
For more serious injuries, especially the ones involving fractures or torn muscles, physical therapy is typically required. Depending on the severity of injuries caused by the motor crash, you’d need the help of a physical therapist to regain the strength of your muscles and bones.
In the absence of regular movement such as the times when recovering from a serious injury, your muscle may eventually shrink and lose its strength. This condition is called muscle atrophy. A physical therapist will create a treatment plan including exercises and stretches aimed at increasing muscle capacities, enhancing blood circulation, and reducing the incidence of muscle spasms.
You’d also need professional help to increase your mobility and help your body adapt to assistive devices in cases of amputation. Again, depending on your injuries and how fast your body reacts to the treatment, the therapy may take a few months or so.
5. Mental Health Therapy
Besides physical injuries, a motorist is also exposed to battling an unseen enemy: post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other issues affecting mental health and behavior.
A motorcycle collision can be traumatic, especially if loss of lives is involved. Hence, a survivor can suffer from guilt issues by blaming oneself for the accident. A survivor may also lose motivation and interest in life, especially if suffering from disabilities such as loss of limbs. Losing an essential body part likely results in functional issues, contributing to a feeling of incompetence and helplessness.
It’s not surprising for serious motorcycle accident sufferers to go through depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. To overcome this, one should seek the help of mental health professionals.
Other Forms Of Damages
If a motorcycle injury has left a motorist with a permanent disability, filing claims before the insurance company is only fitting. Depending on the coverage stipulated in the insurance package, your out-of-pocket costs for repairs and other fees may be reimbursed.
In the event of possible personal injury claims, a motorist should contact a lawyer who specializes in these types of proceedings to provide you with appropriate legal advice.
Wrap Up
Motorcycle injuries can bring short-term or long-term problems to all parties involved. But immediate medical care and alternative treatments can alleviate further physical and mental suffering.
While motorcycle accidents aren’t 100% preventable, you can attenuate their damaging impacts. Wearing a complete set of safety gear and always adhering to traffic rules are the two most important steps in avoiding serious mishaps.
