Curious what happens after a motorcycle accident?
Most people assume the damage stops when the cuts and bruises heal up. But the reality is that motorcycle accidents leave lasting injuries on both the body and mind for months—or even years—to come.
Yep, it’s that serious.
Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that motorcycle fatalities hit an all-time high in 2023 with over 6,335 rider deaths. Thousands of other motorcyclists suffered life-altering injuries that most people don’t think about.
WHAT THEY DON’T TELL YOU…
Behind every motorcycle crash is physical trauma that can lead to long-term injuries. But there’s also hidden mental trauma that can completely devastate your well-being.
In This Article
- How Motorcycle Accidents Harm Your Body Years Later
- Motorcycle Accident Mental Trauma (They Won’t Tell You About)
- PTSD After a Motorcycle Accident Is More Common Than You’d Think
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: Symptoms You’ll Mimic For Years
- How To Take Care of Yourself (& Your Legal Rights) After an Accident
How Motorcycle Accidents Harm Your Body Years Later
When riding a motorcycle, there’s nothing between you and the road. You have zero protection from impact.
That’s why injuries from motorcycle accidents are far worse than your average car accident. Broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries. They can all happen in the event of a crash and cause problems for years to come.
Most common long-term physical injuries…
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries & paralysis
- Nerve damage and loss of mobility
- Fractures and soft tissue injuries
- Internal organ damage
Take brain injuries for example. Someone could walk away from a motorcycle accident with what seems like a mild concussion but experience cognitive symptoms for years.
The same goes for other types of physical trauma.
Some injuries take time to show symptoms. You may feel “fine” after a crash but suddenly experience chronic pain or loss of mobility down the road.
It’s not just about injuries that keep you from riding again. Survivors are forced to live with scars that serve as painful reminders of their crash every day.
And if you’re thinking…
“This can’t happen to me.”
Think again.
Research shows that motorcyclists have a death rate 28 times greater than passenger vehicles. Motorcycle accidents can happen to anyone and the injuries will change your life.
If you’ve been in an accident and suffer from long-term injuries, reach out to a motorcycle accident attorney. They can help you understand how to file an injury case that includes both present and future damages.
Motorcycle Accident Mental Trauma (They Won’t Tell You About)
While we’re on the topic of motorcycle accident injuries you can’t see.
Your mental health takes a massive hit after a motorcycle crash.
Imagine you’re cruising down the open road at 60 miles per hour. Then suddenly out of nowhere, someone pulls out in front of you and you T-bone them head-on. BRAAAPP.
Not only are you dealing with the physical impact but now you have to live through what happened mentally.
Common motorcycle accident mental effects include:
- Anxiety & panic attacks
- Depression
- Sleep disruptions & nightmares
- Riding or driving phobias
- Anger issues
A lot of riders will experience one or more of these symptoms. But since they don’t come with a visible injury, people forget they’re just as serious.
When someone breaks their leg in a motorcycle accident, we see the cast and understand why they can’t ride. But if that same person comes home after the crash and locks themselves in the house due to anxiety…
Where’s the sign for that?
You wouldn’t be able to work.
You wouldn’t be able to sleep.
You certainly wouldn’t ride again.
Don’t let someone tell you otherwise. Trauma from motorcycle accidents affects riders mentally much more than they’re willing to admit.
PTSD After a Motorcycle Accident Is More Common Than You’d Think
Alright, now let’s dive deeper into one of the most common motorcycle accident injuries that no one talks about.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Studies indicate that approximately 25% of all motor vehicle accident victims experience PTSD symptoms after a crash. But for motorcycle riders, that number is likely much higher.
Someone can go through the toughest physical wreck and bounce back. But then continue to suffer from PTSD and watch their life fall apart.
PTSD can cause:
- Flashbacks & nightmares of the accident
- Avoidance behaviors (places, situations)
- Feeling “keyed up” or easily startled
- Emotional withdrawal
- Lack of concentration
PTSD often doesn’t show up until weeks or months after the initial crash. By that time, you’ve probably forgotten about it or figured your symptoms were something you could handle alone.
It’s extremely important to seek help after a motorcycle accident. If you or someone you know might be suffering from PTSD, contact your local motorcycle association. They can provide you with the resources needed to get your life back on track.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Symptoms You’ll Mimic For Years
OK, here’s another hidden injury that motorcycle riders don’t want to think about.
TBIs.
TBIs range from mild to severe concussions that can change your life overnight. Not only do they cause painful headaches and dizziness, but they can completely alter your personality.
Someone could survive a motorcycle accident with a so-called “mild traumatic brain injury,” but experience traumatic symptoms for years to come.
Over 50% of traumatic brain injury sufferers went on to develop major depression after their accident.
Symptoms of a TBI include:
- Headaches
- Blurred vision
- Memory loss
- Concentration difficulties
- Mood swings
TBIs can be difficult to detect since they typically show no physical signs of trauma. Which is why riding with a helmet at all times is strongly recommended. Even if you think it’s “only a short ride.”
How To Take Care of Yourself (& Your Legal Rights) After an Accident
Okay, so trauma from a motorcycle accident can affect your health both physically and mentally.
Here’s what you should do to take care of YOURSELF after a crash:
- Get a comprehensive medical evaluation. Internal bleeding and TBIs can take time to surface.
- Document everything. Keep records of medical appointments, treatments, lost wages, how injuries affect your daily life, etc.
- See a doctor or therapist immediately. The longer you let anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms fester, the harder they’ll be to treat.
- Reach out to a motorcycle lawyer. Injuries that affect you long-term mean injuries that cost you money long-term. Medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy, and future treatment can pile up quickly.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re “fine” and signing away your rights to compensation early on.
Injuries you can’t see take time to manifest. Whether that be physical injuries hidden under the muscle or mental scars buried deep down in your mind.
The Bottom Line
Trauma from a motorcycle accident goes way beyond the impact of a crash.
The physical pain can haunt your body for the rest of your life. The mental trauma can crush your spirit even further.
Knowing what you could potentially face after an accident is the first step in recovering both mentally and physically.
Now that you’re aware of the invisible injuries, make sure you take care of yourself and seek the proper treatment if needed.
