It’s no secret that riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than driving a car in the event of an accident. A motorcycle accident can cause injury in many ways, including road rash. Road rash is unique in that it may be a couple of scrapes to clean and care for at home, or it may require skin grafts and hospitalization.
Most of us probably remember getting a version of it falling off bikes or skateboards as kids. Even in a minor case, it hurts. Understanding more about road rash from your Okemos motorcycle accident lawyers may help you in your medical and legal journey.
Road Rash Defined
Road rash is a colloquial term. Medical professionals also refer to road rash as a friction burn. A mild case may be treated like a scrape or cut, and more severe cases may be treated like heat burns. If you have sustained an injury from a motorcycle accident, you should always seek medical evaluation to ensure that any less apparent injuries are caught and treated.
Road rash in a motorcycle accident typically occurs when the rider falls off the bike and slides on the ground. The friction from the slide generates heat and causes a burn. Riders are susceptible to road rash when they fail to take appropriate precautions with safety gear.
Road rash is broken down into three categories, much like the more common thermal burns.
First-Degree Road Rash
First-degree road rash is the least severe. It frequently looks like minor scrapes or cuts with a little bleeding. It can frequently be treated at home but should be cleaned with soap and water.
Second-Degree Road Rash
Second-degree road rash is more severe. It is frequently characterized by damage to lower layers of skin that may reveal tendons. Bleeding, swelling, and severe pain are common. This type of injury should be immediately evaluated and treated by a doctor. Scarring is more likely in second-degree road rash.
Third-Degree Road Rash
Third-degree road rash, also known as full thickness, is the most severe. These injuries can go deep enough to cause damage to bone. They may be incredibly painful, or if there is nerve damage, it may not hurt until healing progresses. Full-thickness burns may require surgery.
Complication of Road Rash
Any time you have broken skin, infection is a concern. This is true of friction burns and road rash and means that keeping the wound clean is crucial to preventing infection and minimizing scarring during healing. This may include a thorough wound debridement because any debris left can cause infection and other complications.
One complication of remaining particles in road rash is traumatic tattooing. A traumatic tattoo results from particles that become embedded in the skin, causing discoloration. Research has shown that proper debridement in the emergency room may avoid this long-term effect.
Significant scarring may be the most common result of second—or third-degree road rash. Although at-home or in-office treatments may mitigate this, many will have lingering scarring to cope with. However, in more severe cases, nerve damage and scarring can result in a lifetime of pain or permanent disfigurement.
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Emotional Challenges of Road Rash in a Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle accident, especially one that results in injury, can be traumatic. Physical injuries are common even in a minor crash, but emotional injuries are common, too. The National Library of Medicine hosts a research article that reports 25%-33% of Motove Vehicle Accident survivors will qualify for a Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnosis within 30 days of the accident.
For many, being in an accident on a motorcycle is a lesson in the ultimate physical vulnerability. An experience like this can have lasting consequences. Managing trauma symptoms may take months or years to fully resolve, even with the help of a licensed mental health professional.
The long-term emotional consequences of road rash injury from a motorcycle accident are varied. It may be a few months of therapy to cope with the trauma, or it may be adjusting to chronic pain or disfigurement. Either way, the consequences are severe.
Injuries and Fatalities in a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents rarely result in an outcome with no injury. Even minor accidents can come with life-changing injuries like
- Road rash
- Head injury
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Death
Many of these injuries can be prevented or mitigated by vigilance and appropriate safety wear.
The National Safety Council has published data regarding motorcycle fatality rates, and they are staggering. Motorcycles only account for about 3% of all registered vehicles and less than 1% of miles traveled. However, motorcycle riders are 14% of all traffic fatalities.
These numbers can be dramatically reduced by regularly wearing a helmet. The National Safety Council shows that Michigan does not have laws for compulsory helmet use. They also show that 42% of motorcycle fatalities were confirmed to have not worn a helmet.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Preventing Motorcycle Road Rash and Other Injuries
While you can’t always prevent an accident or injury, especially one caused by someone else’s negligence, you can always take steps to minimize the potential damage. These strategies may also reduce the chances of your accident being fatal.
One of the first and most important things you can do to protect yourself on a motorcycle is wearing a full-face helmet. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has resources on selecting the right motorcycle helmet for your head. They also provide guidelines on how to spot unsafe or substandard helmets.
Helmets are essential because they protect your face and head. However, appropriate clothing is also vital to protect the skin on the rest of your body. Wearing thick clothing that covers all your legs and arms may prevent road rash and, at minimum, reduce the severity of your injury.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Moving Forward from a Motorcycle Accident in Michigan
Motorcycles are a wonderful experience for many. It can be a liberating experience for those that enjoy it. It can also be dangerous when others on the road aren’t paying attention to other people on the road.
If you are hit by a car and are not wearing the appropriate clothing to protect yourself, you could be facing significant pain, lengthy hospital stays, and possible disfigurement. This experience can be stressful and leave you with lasting physical and emotional trauma. If you have encountered this, secure medical treatment and reach out to an attorney if you feel you aren’t able to fight for your rights to compensation effectively.
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