Motorcycle Accident Doctor

Written by: Dr. David Jenkins

Florida motorcycle accidents are unfortunately common year round, with a range of injuries possible even from minor accidents. Knowing the best treatments for motorcycle accidents in Orlando can leave you better prepared in the event that you suffer from an accident involving another vehicle or due to unknown hazards on the road.

Best Treatments For Motorcycle Accidents

A Florida motorcycle crash can you leave you laid up for months afterward, even if the accident was relatively minor. Symptoms of injuries are often delayed do the adrenaline spike that occurs as a result of the accident. This spike serves to mask pain and is one of the reasons why the full extent of injuries won’t reveal itself for weeks or even months after the accident.

However, when you receive treatment for your motorcycle accident injuries from an Orlando chiropractor, you can be sure that the full extent of your injuries -present and potential- will be taken into consideration. On your first visit, your chiropractor will take x-rays to best determine the full extent of your injuries. It is very likely that you’ll receive treatment on that first visit to treat current neck and back pain.

Treatment will focus on current injuries as well as potential injuries that may present themselves over time. Exact treatment will consist of spinal manipulation to relieve pain and discomfort due to misalignment of the nervous system. Treatment may also consist of hot and cold treatment. It may also be recommend that you perform at home exercises and stretches to further correct alignment and strengthen muscles to maintain proper alignment.

To ensure that you fully heal from your Florida motorcycle crash, your chiropractor may very well recommend treatment a few times a week, at first. Then, monthly treatments to maintain alignment will be recommended, to keep you pain free and strong. In this way, you can be sure to get the best treatment for your motorcycle accident.

Florida Motorcycle Accident Statistics

In 2010, there were nearly 7500 motorcycle accidents in Florida. While that number appears to be on the decline, there are unique factors to living in Florida that contribute to a higher percentage of motorcycle crashes. Primary among these is the fact that warmer weather contributes to more motorcycles on the road year round. However, motorcycle accidents in Florida are more common in winter months when roads can get slick and icy. Another reason why accidents are common in winter is because snowbird tourists are often on the roads who don’t know the area as well, and can’t focus enough on the motorcycles on the road.

These negligent drivers, unaccustomed to watching out for motorcyclists, are responsible for 60% of all motorcycle crashes in Florida. While that number highlights the importance of being extra aware and cautious of other vehicles while on your motorcycle, the Florida Department of Transportation also found that in 34% of accidents, the rider of the motorcycle crashed on their own.

Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

As mentioned above, negligence by passenger vehicles– cars and trucks- is the most likely cause of a Florida motorcycle crash. Most drivers are simply unaware of motorcycles on the road, even if they regularly encounter motorcyclists. When other drivers are aware of motorcyclists, they frequently do not recognize how fast the motorcycle is going because humans visually gauge speed based upon the size of the object. For this reason, passenger vehicles frequently cut off motorcycles and pull out in front of them.

Rider negligence and road hazards account for the remainder of Florida motorcycle accident statistics. In these instances, the rider may be unaware of hazards on the road. These hazards may be potholes, changes in the pavement, or even liquid on the pavement. Too often, riders will not navigate turns properly and will wipe out due to encountering gravel on the edge of the road.

Common Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

Regardless of the cause of the accident, a Florida motorcycle crash can cause significant injury. The most common injuries caused by motorcycle accidents involve the feet and legs. In fact, this accounts for 30% of injuries. Injuries to the neck and head, including whiplash, account for 22% of motorcycle accident injuries, followed by injury to the chest, back, and shoulders. Hip and pelvis injuries are the most infrequent.

However, even hitting the road at slow speeds where there is no severe injury, does cause significant stress to the head, neck, back, and shoulders; not to mention straining the elbows and knees. Initial swelling from crash impact will often mask other injuries, meaning that injury to the back and neck may not show up for weeks or even months after the accident has occurred. This is why getting the best treatment for motorcycle accidents right away is so important, as it can diminish or even eliminate the severity of other latent injuries.