In a motorcycle accident, a motorcyclist and his/her passengers have nothing except their gear to protect them from injuries. Direct contact with the ground, another vehicle, or a stationary object can cause catastrophic injuries in any part of the body. Motorcyclist deaths occur 27 times more frequently than deaths in other vehicles. “Biker’s arm” is a common motorcycle accident injury that can cause permanent physical damage. There are a few different treatment options to minimize the effects of a biker’s arm injury. It is important to seek immediate medical treatment for this injury to avoid complications in the future.
Explaining Biker’s Arm
Biker’s arm occurs in the initial impact during a motorcycle accident. It is second nature to try to protect oneself in a collision using the arms. When the arms take the brunt of the force of an impact, it can cause serious nerve damage and even paralysis of the arms. Biker’s arm can also occur if the motorcycle falls onto the arm in the crash.
These injuries can affect many nerves in the arm, including the brachial plexus in the upper arm, the median nerve, radial nerve, and ulnar nerve. Damage to these nerves during a fall can cause loss of feeling and arm movement, sometimes permanently. Symptoms of biker’s arm will vary depending on the severity of the injury.
Here’s an idea of what to expect at every stage of this type of injury:
- Good use or moderate use of the hands and fingers.
- Little to no control of the muscles in the shoulder and elbow.
- Ability to move the arm, but not the fingers.
- No sensory motor function or movement at all in the arm or fingers.
- Bilateral damage, where the injury affects both arms.
An injured motorcyclist may not feel the symptoms of a biker’s arm right away. The damage may become apparent days or even weeks after the accident. This is why it’s important to seek medical attention directly after an accident, even if you do not feel injured. A thorough checkup, scans, and tests can bring injuries to light that you may not realize you have, such as whiplash, a concussion, or a biker’s arm.
Preventing Biker’s Arm
Biker’s arm can occur in any type of motorcycle accident where there is a tremendous amount of force on the rider’s arm. Unfortunately, this injury can happen in virtually all accidents. Those that result from bad weather, poor roadway conditions, distracted drivers, speeding motorcyclists, construction zones, and blind-spot accidents can all lead to biker’s arm and many other serious injuries.
Treatment for biker’s arm includes physical therapy, special exercises, massage, chiropractic care, and analgesics. It takes time to achieve a full recovery if one is even a possibility. Sometimes with proper treatment, a biker can regain sensory functions in the injured arm. Other times, nerve damage is too great to ever fully recover. Reduce your chances of obtaining one of these common injuries by taking preventative measures. Wear a thick motorcycle jacket and pads while you ride, and always drive safely. Biker’s arm is just one of many major injuries that can occur in a motorcycle accident.
Legal Help for Biker’s Arm Injury
If you’ve recently sustained a biker’s arm injury in a motorcycle crash, seek legal advice from a local attorney. In the event that someone else, such as another driver or negligent roadway maintenance team, is responsible for the crash, he or she may also be liable for paying for your damages. This could include all medical bills and pain and suffering related to your biker’s arm injury. Learn your rights and legal options after a motorcycle accident by talking to an experienced personal injury lawyer.