A motorcycle is no match for a car in terms of size, weight, or the level of protection afforded to the driver. So when a motorcyclist is involved in a collision, there is a significantly higher risk they will sustain a serious bodily injury. And one of the body parts most likely to be injured is the motorcyclist’s legs.
Seeking Compensation for Leg Injuries
If you have sustained a serious leg injury as a result of motorist or other third-party negligence, the Los Angeles motorcycle attorneys at Oaks Law Firm can represent you in seeking compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages arising from your crash. We understand that any leg injury is a serious matter and that it can often take months–even years–to fully recover from the trauma of a motorcycle crash.
How Common–and Expensive–are Leg Injuries Due to a Motorcycle Crash?
According to a study from the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, lower extremity injuries are “the most common injuries sustained by motorcycle riders in crashes and often lead to extended and costly medical treatment and permanent disability.” This survey focused specifically on Los Angeles County and found that during a 16-month period, lower extremity injuries were diagnosed by trauma surgeons in 56 percent of fatal and 46 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes. And the most commonly diagnosed injury was a broken leg.
Another study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also found that leg injuries were the most commonly reported injuries in motorcycle accidents. The NHTSA study was national in scope and covered a period of more than 9 years. Overall, the study found there were about 19,000 motorcyclists who sustained a combined 36,000 lower extremity injuries that required emergency medical treatment. Of the eight types of lower extremity injuries categorized—e.g., foot, ankle, knee, thigh, hip, etc.—the most common was leg injuries, which accounted for 27 percent of all injuries reported. And again, the most common type of leg injury was a fracture or broken leg.
The Severity of Leg Injuries
While a broken leg might not sound that catastrophic, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, in about 3 percent of cases reported in the NHTSA study, a crush injury to the leg led to partial or complete amputation of the limb. Second, even if you are treated and released for a broken leg, there are still significant financial costs. The NHTSA found that motorcyclists who sustained single lower-extremity injuries incurred about $21,000 in hospital injuries—and that was back in 2008.
Speak with a Los Angeles Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer Today
A leg injury due to a motorcycle accident can impose substantial physical, emotional, and financial hardship on you and your family. So you have every right to seek to hold a reckless driver or other party legally responsible for your injuries following a preventable crash. The team at Oaks Law Firm is ready to sit down with you and learn more about your case. Call us today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.