Biker Arm: Nerve Damage from Motorcycle Crashes and Your Legal Rights

"Biker's arm" is a common nerve injury affecting motorcyclists who crash. When riders instinctively extend arms to break falls, the resulting nerve damage can cause permanent weakness, numbness, and loss of arm function. Understanding this injury helps victims pursue appropriate compensation.

What Is Biker's Arm?

Biker's arm refers to brachial plexus injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves running from the neck through the shoulder, controlling arm movement and sensation.

The injury typically occurs when riders extend arms to break falls. This instinctive protective reaction stretches or tears the brachial plexus nerves.

Biker's arm can also result from direct impacts to the shoulder or neck that damage the nerve network. Either mechanism causes similar lasting damage.

How Brachial Plexus Injuries Occur

Stretch injuries happen when the head and neck are forced away from the shoulder, stretching nerves beyond their limits. The nerve fibers may stretch, partially tear, or completely rupture.

Compression injuries occur when the shoulder is forced down while the neck resists, squeezing the brachial plexus. Swelling and bleeding can further compress nerves.

Avulsion injuries - the most severe type - happen when nerve roots are torn from the spinal cord. These injuries typically cannot be repaired directly.

Symptoms of Biker's Arm

Weakness or paralysis in the affected arm is the hallmark symptom. Depending on which nerves are damaged, victims may lose ability to raise the arm, bend the elbow, or grip with the hand.

Numbness and tingling affect the arm and hand when sensory nerves are damaged. Some victims lose all sensation in portions of the arm.

Burning pain occurs in some brachial plexus injuries. Damaged nerves may transmit constant pain signals that medications struggle to control.

A "limp" or "dead" arm that hangs without voluntary control indicates severe brachial plexus damage.

Diagnosis and Medical Treatment

EMG (electromyography) tests nerve and muscle function, identifying which nerves are damaged and the severity of injury.

MRI imaging can visualize nerve damage and help surgeons plan treatment. Imaging shows whether nerves are stretched, scarred, or torn.

Surgical repair may involve nerve grafts, nerve transfers, or muscle transfers. Surgery can restore some function but rarely returns the arm to normal.

Physical therapy maintains joint mobility and strengthens remaining muscle function. Therapy continues for months or years after injury.

Prognosis for Biker's Arm

Mild stretch injuries may recover substantially with time. Nerves can regenerate slowly - about one inch per month - if the injury doesn't sever them completely.

Moderate injuries often result in permanent weakness despite treatment. Full strength and function rarely return.

Severe injuries including avulsions cause permanent disability. Even with surgery, many victims retain significant limitations.

Long-Term Effects

Chronic pain affects many brachial plexus injury victims. Nerve damage can cause persistent pain that standard medications don't adequately control.

Loss of function may be permanent. Inability to raise the arm, grip objects, or perform fine motor tasks affects work and daily activities.

Muscle atrophy develops when nerves can't stimulate muscles. The affected arm may appear visibly smaller than the uninjured side.

Impact on Work and Daily Life

Biker's arm severely affects work capacity. Manual labor becomes impossible, and even office work is difficult with limited arm function.

Daily activities most people take for granted - dressing, bathing, cooking, driving - become challenging or impossible with one functioning arm.

Hobbies and recreation often must be abandoned. Activities requiring two functional arms are no longer possible.

Damages for Biker's Arm

Medical expenses include surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, and pain management. Treatment continues for years after injury.

Lost earning capacity represents a major damage category. Career limitations from arm dysfunction affect lifetime earnings substantially.

Pain and suffering damages reflect both physical pain and the frustration of disability. Loss of arm function profoundly affects quality of life.

Loss of enjoyment of life addresses inability to participate in activities that previously brought fulfillment.

Proving Biker's Arm Claims

Medical documentation establishing diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis is essential. Neurologists and orthopedic specialists provide expert opinions.

Functional capacity evaluations objectively document limitations and their impact on work ability.

Before and after evidence - work history, hobbies, activities - demonstrates how the injury changed the victim's life.

Pursuing Biker's Arm Compensation

Seek specialized medical care from physicians experienced in brachial plexus injuries. Proper treatment optimizes recovery and documents injury severity.

Follow all treatment recommendations including physical therapy. Compliance with care demonstrates injury seriousness and maximizes recovery.

Consult a motorcycle accident attorney who understands nerve injury claims and can ensure full compensation for this life-altering condition.