Motorcycle Accidents: What is Biker’s Arm?
Motorcyclists are inherently exposed to risk. For this reason, Florida classifies motorcyclists as ‘vulnerable road users’—meaning they are disproportionately likely to be seriously injured should an accident occur. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents remain a serious public safety problem.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) reports that 9,143 motorcycle crashes were reported in the state in 2018 alone. Notably, the rider was injured in 85 percent of these crashes. Biker’s arm is one of the most common motorcycle accident injuries.
If you or your loved one sustained a biker’s arm injury in an accident, it may result in severe pain, significant distress, and long-term physical impairments. Here, our West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyers offer a brief guide to biker’s arm injuries.
Why are Biker’s Arm Injuries So Common?
When a collision occurs, most motorcyclists will instinctively put their arm down in an effort to brace themselves as they fall to the pavement. It is one of the most natural human reflexes and even motorcyclists who are well aware of the risk of biker’s arm are still likely to do it. Unfortunately, as motorcycles can weigh up to 500 pounds, the human arm can do little to brace the impact of a fall—especially a high speed fall.
Biker’s Arm Injuries: Nerve Damage
Medically, the term ‘biker’s arm’ is used broadly to describe a type of nerve damage that often occurs in motorcycle accidents. In other words, a biker’s arm injury is not simply any arm injury related to a motorcycle accident. It is a specific condition characterized by damage to the:
- Median nerve;
- Radial nerve; or
- Ulnar nerve.
Nerve Damage Often Causes Long-Term Trauma
The specific type of nerve damage will depend on the force and direction of the impact. That being said, all nerve damage can cause serious long-term problems for the victim. Indeed, motorcyclists who suffer biker’s arm in a collision often report:
- Debilitating pain;
- Immense suffering;
- Muscle weakness;
- Numbness in the arm; and
- Loss of control.
Similar to other injuries, a biker’s arm injury varies widely in its severity. In some cases, it is relatively modest injury, the rider may suffer mild impairments and their arm may make a full recovery within a matter of months. In other cases, a biker’s arm is a catastrophic injury. Severe nerve damage has the potential to cause partial or total paralysis of the affected arm. It is imperative that injured victims are able to access financial compensation for medical bills, future medical care, pain and suffering, and permanent impairments.
Call Our West Palm Beach, FL Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
At Pike & Lustig, LLP, our West Palm Beach motorcycle accident lawyers have the skills, experience, and legal training to protect your rights. If you or your loved one sustained a serious arm injury in a crash, we are ready to help. To arrange a free, no obligation review of your motorcycle accident claim, please call us now. We represent injured victims in West Palm Beach, Miami, and all communities in between.
Resource:
flhsmv.gov/pdf/crashreports/crash_facts_2018.pdf
