Virginia biker’s arm attorneys

What is biker’s arm, and how can I get help if I have it?

Riding a motorcycle is a fantastic way to experience the beautiful Commonwealth of Virginia. It’s fun, economical, and there’s no other feeling quite like it.

At GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys, we want our community to stay safe -- that’s why we strongly recommend following motorcycle safety laws and taking sensible precautions when out riding. By always wearing a helmet, safety gear, and protective clothing, you can enjoy your ride in the safest way possible.

But sadly, we’ve learned that even when you drive safely and take every precaution, you can still get hurt while riding your motorcycle. In fact, over 1500 hundred Virginia motorcycle riders were injured in accidents in 2020.

One injury that many people don’t know about is biker’s arm, a serious condition that often results from a motorcycle collision. Biker’s arm is one of the most common motorcycle accident injuries. It can significantly impact your mobility, and it often requires extensive treatment and rehabilitation to fully recover.

Back to Top

What causes biker’s arm?

People falling will automatically extend their arm to protect themselves from injury. This natural defense mechanism is helpful for common falls, but in a motorcycle crash, you can hit the ground traveling at the same speed you were going on your bike. Your arm wasn’t designed to absorb this type of impact. So, even if you don’t break any bones when using your arm to brace yourself in a fall caused by a motorcycle crash, the fall can still result in considerable nerve damage, known as biker’s arm.

The high-speed impact that causes biker’s arm damages one or more of the major nerves that branch out from the brachial plexus at the base of the neck. Damage may include the median nerve that begins in the spinal cored and extends all the way down to the fingers, the radial nerve, which courses from the posterior compartment of the upper arm to the rear compartment of the forearm, or the ulnar nerve, which travels from the medial arm through the forearm and down to the fingers.

Back to Top

What are symptoms to watch out for?

Indications of biker’s arm may not be immediately noticeable after your accident. In fact, the following signs of biker’s arm may not become fully apparent until weeks after the incident:

• Burning or throbbing pain
• Weakness and limited mobility in your hand or arm
• Numbness in your arm, hand, or fingers
• A stinging sensation shooting across the arm and hand
• The ability to use your arm, but not your hand and fingers
• Use of your hand and fingers, but a lack of feeling in the arm or shoulder

Back to Top

Treatment for biker’s arm

If you think you’re suffering from biker’s arm, visit your doctor as soon as possible to get an accurate diagnosis. Your doctor will perform a physical exam to test the motor and sensory function of the nerves that control the arm and hand to see if any have been compromised. The next step will be medical imaging testing, which may include an X-ray, CT scan, or an MRI. Your doctor might also use nerve conduction studies to get a better sense of the degree of nerve damage involved.

If you are diagnosed with biker’s arm, your doctor will likely refer you to an orthopedic surgeon who will recommend the proper course of treatment. This may include one or more surgeries, chiropractic care, a pain management strategy, and rehabilitation. Treatment for this injury can turn out to be a costly process, lasting over time.

Back to Top

How to get the compensation you deserve in Virginia

If you or a loved one is suffering the effects of a motorcycle accident, including biker’s arm, you need a Virginia motorcycle crash lawyer on your side to advocate effectively for your rights. Insurance agents may try to lowball you by offering a settlement that’s insufficient to cover your total cost of care.

That’s why our partners, Ken Gibson and John Singleton, take on the big insurance companies every step of the way -- to help you get a settlement that will let you get your life back. After all, we’ve worked for big insurance companies, in big cities, and as trial lawyers. Now we are proud to serve our neighbors here in Eastern Virginia with our experience and expertise. We make sure that you get full compensation for your injuries, while you focus on getting better.

Call GibsonSingleton Virginia Injury Attorneys today at (804) 413-6777 today to schedule your FREE consultation.

Back to Top