Motorcycle Injuries: Road Rash

January 21, 2016 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
Motorcycle Injuries: Road Rash Road Rash is an injury that is very unique to motorcycle riders due to the mechanism in which it occurs. While cars and trucks have “cages” or outer parts such as a roof, airbags, seatbelts and other enclosure measures to protect the body, bikers are completely out in the open; so when they get into accidents, they can be ejected from their seat and skid across the pavement, creating road rashes. A rider can, at best, hope to have a helmet and some layers of protective gear. Even so, road rash is a skin injury that is pretty common for motorcycle accidents. What is Road Rash? Road rash is an all inclusive generic term used for an abrasion that results from skin sliding along road surfaces and the friction that tears apart layers of skin. It may not be as severe as other types of injuries such as a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injuries, however, road rash can be extremely painful and result in permanent scarring. Even at lower rates of speed, a motorcycle accident can lead to road rash injuries that require lengthy and costly rehabilitation. Moreover, road rash has different degrees of severity that can happen as a result of an incident. First-degree road rash makes the skin look somewhat red and usually requires no medical treatment. This type of injury is also identified by small scrapes, redness, bruising, slight bleeding and tenderness. First-degree road rash can be cleaned and treated at home with the right ointments and other first aid necessities. Second-degree road rash results when the outer layer of the skin breaks but it can heal itself with minimal scarring. These rashes typically show bleeding, swelling, radiating heat, and exposed muscle, tendons, or nerves. These are specifically painful to touch and may require medical attention if wound is too big to keep clean. Third-degree road rash occurs when the skin comes completely off and reveals the underlying tissue and fat. The bleeding, swelling and deep wounds may have a shiny or milky appearance and can be tremendously painful. Conversely, they may not result in pain at all in the event there are damaged nerves in that area. Still, severe akin abrasions such as these may expose muscle, tendons, bone, or nerves. The wound may also cover more than 10% of the human body. This final level of road rash sometimes requires skin grafting to heal the wound and can become infected without immediate medical attention. It's also important to note that, scarring and permanent deformity are very common [1]. Regardless of severity, you should always seek medical attention after a motorcycle accident because irrespective of the level of road rash, there still may be internal issues that could cause serious problems afterward. Surfaces can have a lot of debris on it, such as loose rocks and broken glass that can worsen the damage. Plus, not only can a medical professional positively diagnose the severity, but the doctor can properly clean and treat the rash so that is doesn't become infected from the debris or other environmental factors. How to Prevent Road Rash? There are specific steps a motorcyclist can take to prevent road rash in case of an incident or accident–or at least reduce the severity of the damage that it may cause. The primary way to prevent road rash is to wear the proper safety equipment at all times. This includes:
  • Helmet
  • Leather or Other Absorbing Material
  • Boots
  • Gloves
  • Long Sleeved Shirt or Jacket
  • Long Pants
  • Protective Padding
This list of protective gear is essential for not only preventing road rash but also having a totally safe riding experience. Your Florida Motorcycle Accident & Injury Law Firm If your road rash was cause by another person's negligence or due to an accident, there may be financial compensation obtainable for your injuries. While seen as a better outcome than most motorcycle injuries, the pain and suffering that follow a road rash can be emotionally scarring and have physical consequences for certain areas of the body. The responsible party in the matter can be held liable for the damages the injuries cause such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering; among other things. We at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA urge you to always wear a helmet, regardless of Florida's lax laws and to always have protective gear on at all times to prevent skin abrasions or other injuries. However, we also know that sharing a road with other motor vehicles shares its risks. Plus, driving on poorly maintained roads can also lead to a road rash injury. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident because of a negligent party, please call the experienced motorcycle injury attorneys at Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA for suitable representation. Sometimes, the insurance companies can make it seem as though it was your fault or will not sufficiently pursue the claim. Let us help you in the pursuit of proper ramifications of the true party at fault. Call us today and speak to one of your highly qualified lawyers at (727) 451-6900. You can schedule a free consultation and evaluation. We also will not recover anything unless you do. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 800 North Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33765 (727) 451-6900 References: [1] I Want to Live Well

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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