Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
The skin is the body’s largest organ and, because motorcycles don’t offer exterior protection, riders are especially vulnerable to abrasion injuries when involved in an accident.
Though severe scrapes might not be the first thing that springs to mind when thinking of organ damage, that’s exactly what they are. In many cases, they can be quite devastating.
What You Need to Know About Road Rash
“Road rash” is a common term used to describe these deep abrasion injuries, which occur when riders are thrown from their bikes. As their bodies skid across the pavement or gravel, their protective gear, as well as layers of skin, fat, muscle, and other tissues are sheared away—often down to the bone. This may result in overwhelming pain, nerve damage, infections, permanent scarring, and other complications.
Road rash injuries vary dramatically by type and severity. These injuries may be classified as:
- Avulsions, when layers of skin and muscle are scraped away
- Open wounds, which may be extensively contaminated with debris
- Compressions, which describe road rash that happens when someone is caught between two objects—usually the bike and the road
First- and second-degree road rash injuries may require some medical treatment, but often heal well. However, third-degree road rash may necessitate extensive treatment—such as debridement, stitches, and skin grafts—and cause ongoing complications or permanent damage.
As one might expect, the costs of such injuries are high, and motorcycle crash victims often struggle with this unexpected medical debt. Fortunately, people hurt in accidents caused by another person or company’s negligence may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and other crash-related damages.
Consult an Atlanta Attorney About Your Motorcycle Accident Case
If you sustained road rash injuries in a motorcycle wreck that wasn’t your fault, the knowledgeable attorneys with Van Sant Law outline your legal rights and options, build a strong personal injury case, and banish biases that could harm your right to recovery.
Have questions about your case? Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a no-cost initial consultation.
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