Where do injuries and deaths come from motorcycle accidents?

Motorcycle accidents often leave behind devastating consequences, especially here in New Mexico, where riders enjoy wide-open roads but face real dangers from inattentive drivers. Injuries and deaths from motorcycle collisions are primarily from high-impact crashes that leave little room for protection, especially when the rider is not wearing adequate safety gear. At Parnall Law, we’ve seen how one moment of negligence can result in lifelong harm—or worse—for a motorcyclist. Below, we explore what causes these accidents, how injuries happen, and what steps to take if you’re involved in one.

What is the most common collision between cars and motorcycles?

The most common collision occurs when a car makes a left-hand turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. This type of crash accounts for a significant portion of serious and fatal motorcycle accidents. In these situations, the rider is usually traveling straight through an intersection, obeying traffic laws, when the turning vehicle crosses into their path. The result is often devastating. The motorcycle has little chance to swerve or stop in time, and because of the size difference between the two vehicles, the rider bears the brunt of the impact.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation:

• 66% of motorcycle fatalities occurred in urban areas.
• 64% happened away from intersections.
• 58% took place in daylight.
• 92% were on non-interstate roads.

These numbers are more than statistics—they reveal how vulnerable riders are in everyday scenarios. Left-turn crashes often happen because drivers fail to see the motorcycle, misjudge its speed, or simply aren’t paying attention. Motorcycles are smaller, quieter, and harder to spot, particularly when a driver is distracted or rushing. Even experienced riders can find themselves in these collisions with little to no time to react. That’s why visibility, defensive riding, and rider awareness remain critical on every ride.

Where do injuries and deaths from motorcycle collisions come from?

The majority of serious motorcycle injuries and fatalities stem from blunt force trauma in high-speed or side-impact crashes. Riders lack the protective barrier that a car provides, so even low-speed collisions can cause catastrophic injuries. Here’s where the risk is highest:

• Head-on collisions: These are among the deadliest types of motorcycle crashes, often resulting in fatalities when neither the motorcyclist nor the other driver has time to slow down.
• Side-swipes and t-bone crashes: These frequently happen when another driver fails to yield, turns into a rider’s lane, or changes lanes without checking blind spots.
• Ejections: In many serious crashes, the force of impact throws the rider from the motorcycle, causing secondary injuries from hitting the ground or other vehicles.
• Loss of control: Riders may lose control due to gravel, potholes, slick roads, or sudden driver actions, often leading to serious or fatal accidents.

New Mexico’s wide range of road environments—rural, mountain, urban—adds complexity. Riders face risks not only from other vehicles but also from poor road maintenance or unexpected hazards like animals or weather changes.

Common injuries from motorcycle accidents

Motorcyclists are exposed to far more physical trauma in an accident than occupants of enclosed vehicles, and the injuries they sustain are often severe and long-lasting. Many of these injuries require months or years of treatment, rehabilitation, or surgical intervention. Some injuries are permanent and affect a person’s ability to work, walk, or enjoy life as they once did. Below are the most frequent types of motorcycle accident injuries and what they typically involve:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Despite the use of helmets, many riders suffer concussions or TBIs due to violent head impacts. These injuries can impair memory, coordination, speech, and cognitive ability.
• Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spine may result in partial or complete paralysis, affecting mobility and independence. These injuries are especially common in side-impact or rollover crashes.
• Fractures: Broken bones in the legs, arms, pelvis, and ribs often result from being thrown from the bike or crushed by another vehicle during impact.
• Road rash: When a rider skids across the pavement, the friction causes severe skin abrasions that may require skin grafts and leave permanent scars or disfigurement.
• Internal injuries: Vital organs like the lungs, kidneys, or liver can be damaged by blunt force, leading to internal bleeding or organ failure that may not be immediately obvious.
• Facial injuries: Without full-face helmets, riders risk broken noses, jaw fractures, lost teeth, and eye trauma, often requiring reconstructive surgery.

Wearing DOT-approved safety gear, riding defensively, and staying vigilant around traffic can drastically reduce the severity of injuries during a crash.

Steps to take in case of a motorcycle accident

If you’re ever involved in a motorcycle crash, acting quickly and wisely can protect your health and your legal rights. Here’s what we recommend:

• Stay at the scene: If you’re physically able, do not leave. It’s legally required.
• Call 911: Request emergency medical services and police assistance.
• Document everything: Take photos of the scene, vehicles, and your injuries. Get the names and contact info of witnesses. Exchange information with the other driver, but avoid admitting fault.
• Seek medical attention immediately, even if you feel fine. Some injuries are hidden or worsen over time.
• File a police report: This becomes crucial for any future legal claims.

According to Colorado Public Law, drivers must report any accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage to authorities and stay at the scene until police arrive. New Mexico has similar laws and takes failure to comply seriously, particularly in injury cases.

• Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer: The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better your chances of preserving evidence and pursuing compensation.

Need help after a motorcycle accident in New Mexico?

At the end of the day, motorcycle accidents are almost never minor. The damage to your body, your finances, and your future can be enormous. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, our team at Parnall Law is here to stand by you and fight for what’s right. We bring years of experience handling motorcycle accident claims across New Mexico, and we won’t back down when your recovery is on the line.

Call us now to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney—contact us at (505) 268-6500.