While motorcycles are considered motor vehicles, many things about them are drastically different from normal passenger-sized vehicles. When a motorcycle rider is involved in a crash, they have little protection from the elements and their injuries are often more severe. One injury common in motorcycle crashes is known as road rash.
Three Degrees of Road Road Injuries
Road rash injuries essentially occur when a motorcycle rider makes contact with the roadway during a crash. When the skin is dragged against abrasive materials, such as concrete, asphalt, or other rough objects, it can lead to open wounds and other skin abrasions.
Like other burn injuries, road rash can be broken down into three categories depending on the severity of the injury:
- First Degree. These injuries are relatively minor and affect only the outer layer of skin. They often involve redness, swelling, bleeding, and bruising. Depending on the location and the size of the affected area, it may heal with little to no complications or scarring.
- Second Degree. With second-degree burns, the skin’s outer layer is broken and the area will be red, bleeding, and swelling. There may be exposed underlying tissue and medical treatment will most likely be necessary to treat the wounds.
- Third Degree. These injuries are the most severe of all burns and involve skin that has been sheared off. There may be intense bleeding and swelling, as well as exposure to tendons, bones, and ligaments. Medical attention should be sought immediately, as the risk of infection is high with third-degree burns. The individual may require skin grafts to reduce the risk of scarring and physical impairment.
How to Treat Road Rash and Potential Complications
If a road rash injury is very minor, you may be able to treat it at home. Motorcycle riders should invest in a good first aid kit that they can utilize in the event of minor road rash injuries; some items in this kit should include:
- A first aid cleaning solution that contains a pain-relieving solution. If you do not have this in your kit, wash the affected area with water and unscented soap.
- Non-adherent dressings that can be used to cover the wound, as it will probably ooze for at least a few days. Use tape or a strip of cloth to hold the dressing in place.
- Storage bags to keep all the supplies clean.
- An ice pack to relieve swelling.
If you have any hesitation toward treating a minor wound yourself or if your road rash injuries are moderate to severe, you should seek medical attention immediately. Keeping the affected area clean is often difficult by yourself, so getting proper medical care can significantly reduce the risk of bacteria getting into the wound. Some of the most common bacteria that can lead to infections in road rash injuries include:
- MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus): This is a strain of staph infection that is often resistant to antibiotics, therefore, is often more difficult to treat. If it gets into the bloodstream, it can cause fatal damage to internal organs.
- Tetanus. This infection may result from an open wound coming into contact with the bacterium Clostridium tetani. While it is life-threatening, it is preventable through a vaccine.
- Sepsis. This often starts out as a minor infection that begins in an open wound but spreads through the bloodstream to other parts of the body. It can typically be treated with antibiotics, but it can also lead to septic shock. Signs of this include low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and an altered mental state.
Potential Damages for Road Rash Injuries
Sustaining road rash injuries can be extremely traumatic and lead to long-term ramifications. As a result, victims of these injuries may be entitled to compensation for a variety of damages, including:
- Medical Expenses. This includes ER visits, surgical procedures, skin grafts, labs/tests, pain medications, assistive devices, out-of-pocket expenses, and other future expenses related to medical care.
- Lost Wages and Lost Earning Capacity. An individual may be unable to return to work while they are recovering; additionally, they may be unable to perform the job that they did prior to the road rash injuries.
- Physical Impairment. Scarring can limit one’s range of motion, flexibility, and ability to do everyday tasks.
- Emotional Injuries. Scarring can lead to disfigurement and resulting mental anguish, especially if the scars are on parts of the body that are commonly visible, such as the limbs, neck, or face.
- Pain and Suffering. Road rash is often a very painful injury and the recovery process may be long and intensive.
- Lost Quality of Life. One may not be able to live the same life they did before the motorcycle accident and resulting road rash injuries.
If you sustained road rash in a motorcycle accident that resulted in scarring, disfigurement, or physical impairment, you deserve to be properly compensated for what you have been through. While no amount of money can negate the traumatic ordeal that you experienced and how your life will be impacted in the future, we believe that you deserve justice and the compensation you need to move forward.
At Politis & Matovina, P.A., our Daytona Beach motorcycle accident attorneys are dedicated to helping riders across Florida recover the right way. We have recovered over $200 million on behalf of our clients, and while we can’t guarantee results, you have our word we will do everything in our power to help you recover physically, financially, and emotionally.
Contact our seasoned motorcycle accident legal team at (386) 333-6613 to get started with a free case evaluation today.