Road Rash from a Motorcycle Accident
The phrase “road rash” can be misleading. That the term itself is somewhat benign may lead people to believe it’s a minor injury, perhaps little more than slight skin irritation. In reality, road rash – a common injury resulting from motorcycle accidents – can be a significant and painful condition that can lead to serious long-term medical complications.
At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, our Akron motorcycle accident attorneys want to help you understand road rash and how it can impact your life following a motorcycle wreck.
What Is Road Rash from a Motorcycle Accident?
“Road rash” is a term for abrasion caused by contact with the road after a motorcycle crash. It’s a common result of motorcycle accidents in which a rider falls or gets thrown from their motorcycle and their skin scrapes against the pavement. The heat caused by friction and the rough surface of the road strips the skin from the body, leaving a red and bleeding abrasion or wound.
Road rash wounds may be categorized according to the severity of the injury:
- First-degree road rash affects the outer layer of skin, requiring at-home care to treat scrapes and bruising. It typically leaves no scars.
- Second-degree road rash extends into the inner layers of the skin and requires immediate medical attention to treat cuts and prevent infection. Scarring and nerve damage are more likely.
- Third-degree road rash goes through the skin and affects the underlying layer of fat. Pain levels depend on the extent of nerve damage. This injury must be treated immediately and typically leaves considerable scarring.
Road Rash Treatment
Road rash treatment depends on the severity of the wound. For minor road rash injuries, cleaning the injury, applying antibiotic ointment, and bandaging the wound may be sufficient to allow the skin to heal. However, road rash that covers a larger portion of the body or affects the face or groin areas can be more challenging to treat. Large, open road rash wounds are susceptible to infection, which can lead to significant medical complications. Infected road rash must be treated right away. Traumatic or extensive road rash wounds may also require painful skin grafts to treat.
How to Prevent Road Rash from Motorcycle Accidents
One of the best ways motorcycle riders can prevent road rash injuries is to wear protective clothing like gloves, boots, a jacket, and pants or chaps while riding. Look for safety gear made from leather or other heavy-duty or reinforced materials to protect sensitive skin from friction wounds. Cotton clothing like t-shirts and jeans offer almost no protection from motorcycle road rash.
You can also prevent significant facial wounds and traumatic brain injury by wearing a DOT-approved helmet with goggles or a face shield.
Contact Our Akron Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for Help
Are you suffering from road rash following a collision with a careless driver? After seeking immediate medical attention, contact an experienced Akron motorcycle accident attorney to help you pursue compensation for your severe injuries via a personal injury lawsuit. At Amourgis & Associates, Attorneys at Law, we are committed to helping riders protect their legal rights and recover the money they need to cover the expenses and lost wages associated with a road rash injury. Contact our Akron office today to book a free case evaluation about a potential motorcycle accident claim.
