Motorcycle riders in California will know that more traffic on the highways at this time of the year will make their rides more dangerous. Because bikes have only two wheels, they cannot stand without support, and along with the fact that riders have limited protection, the consequences of any motorcycle accident could be catastrophic. While helmets and leather riding suits offer some protection, some common injuries frequently result from bike crashes.
With riders exposed as they are, any accident will likely have them making contact with the rough road surface. For this reason, road rash is almost par for the course, and if it causes only redness and abrasions of the skin, it is known as first-degree road rash. Second-degree involves a broken surface skin but undamaged inner skin layers, and the most severe, third-degree road rash, occurs when the outer skin is removed, exposing tissue and fat layers beneath. Head injuries are also prevalent, and although helmets have saved many lives, they only provide some level of protection. A helmet does not prevent the violent movement of the brain inside the skull, often leaving victims with traumatic brain injuries.
