Dealing with Road Rash Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable to injury than other motorists who are on the road. The kinds of injuries that motorcyclists can suffer from can range from relatively minor to fatal. Whatever the case may be, our motorcycle accident lawyers can help people in the Holly Hill, FL who’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence.
Road was is one of the most common kinds of injuries sustained by motorcyclists. Let’s take a minute to go over the basics of road rash and how our attorney can help accident victims.
What Is Road Rash?
Road rash refers to the abrasions to a motorcyclist’s skin caused by skidding along the road. The cuts and skin damage can be extensive, leading to scars after they’ve fully healed in particularly bad cases of road rash. Road rash can affect any exposed skin of the motorcyclist’s body. In fact, the abrasions may occur even through normal sleeves.
Types of Road Rash
Not all road rash is the same. There are three types of road rash a person may experience:
- Avulsion - The most common type of road rash, avulsion refers to layers of skin being scraped away, revealing the hard and soft tissue underneath. In severe cases of avulsion, the bone may be exposed. This what most people think of when they think of road rash, but there are variations to consider.
- Open Wound - Open wounds may form as the skin is cut or torn while skidding along the road. These lacerations can be quite severe if not addressed quickly.
- Compression - Compression refers to road rash injuries in which part of the body is caught and/or pinched between two objects, hurting the skin, bone, muscles, and other tissues.
Treating Road Rash
Road rash requires professional medical attention, especially if the injuries involve open wounds, broken limbs, or exposed muscle tissue and bone. Emergency medical technicians will stabilize patients and try to slow down blood loss. When at a hospital, stitches and emergency surgery may be required to help set bones, address severe bleeding, and prevent more serious medical problems.
Lasting Effects of Road Rash
Any type of cut or wound can lead to scarring later in life. With road rash, serious abrasions and lacerations could result in visible scarring, often located on the arms and legs. Disfigurement is also an issue to consider if you suffer from road rash on the neck or face. Cosmetic and reconstructive surgery may not be able to completely remedy these issues should they occur.
Additionally, more serious types of injuries in conjunction with road rash can result in reduced mobility, changes in your range of motion, and even permanent disability.
How to Reduce the Severity of Road Rash
The best way to prevent severe road rash injuries is to always wear proper riding gear when operating a motorcycle. Riding jackets, jeans, boots, gloves, and helmets are essentially in protecting your body from harm. Motorcyclist under armor/body armor can also help reduce the impact of an accident and minimize the severity of various injuries.
Holding Negligent Parties Accountable for Your Injuries
If your accident was the result of a negligent motorist, it’s important that they be held accountable for their actions. Damages can be sought to cover your medical expenses, physical rehabilitation, cosmetic reconstructive procedures, and other expenses related to your injury. Our lawyers are here to help.
Contact the Lawyers of Chanfrau & Chanfrau
For more information about dealing with road rash and other kinds of injuries from a motorcycle accident, be sure to contact an experienced accident attorney. The legal team at Chanfrau & Chanfrau is here to help you.
