When motorcyclists are involved in crashes, many organizations study trends, patterns, and examine crash information to shed light on why these accidents occur, how they happen, and what body parts are typically injured. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), lower-extremity injuries to motorcyclists have been found to be more common than upper-extremity injuries.
While lower-extremity injuries are generally not as fatal as chest, abdominal, and head injuries, they can still be very serious in nature and cause dangerous complications. For instance, if a motorcyclist suffered an open tibia fracture, severe bleeding and infection to the bone can lead to amputation or death.
According to the NHTSA study that identified body regions and hospital charges for motorcyclists who suffered lower-extremity injuries, bone fractures to the leg were the most common type of injury motorcyclists sustained. The study also found:
- 81% of motorcyclists with lower-extremity injuries were discharged after critical hospital care.
- Hospital charges varied depending on the number of lower-extremity injuries.
- $21,000 was the estimated median hospital charge for motorcyclists with a single lower leg injury.
- $39,000 in hospital charges was the estimate for motorcyclists with multiple lower-extremity injuries.
- $56,000 was the highest cost for motorcyclists who suffered leg injuries in combination with other injuries.
While health insurance and automobile insurance may cover some or all of the hospital bills, many motorcyclists may not get their bills covered. In addition to hospital bills and medical costs, injured motorcyclists have to worry about lost income due to time off of work. This is why it is important to call Mallard Perez to engage a skilled Sarasota accident attorney to protect your interests and obtain a large financial settlement. Call our Sarasota personal injury law firm at 888-409-3805 for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
