Why is Road Rash Considered One of the More Severe Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries?

Unlike cars, motorcycles do not have the proper safety features to protect the rider in case of an accident. Riders who do not wear protective gear often face devastating injuries when they are involved in an accident. Riders could sustain a range of injuries in an accident, among which road rash is most common.

Although it is common, people often ignore the extent of damage a road rash can cause. While many don’t see this as an injury worth filing a claim for, getting legal help for a road rash motorcycle accident can be beneficial in estimating the extent of a victim’s damages and providing them compensation for the same.

This blog explains what road rash is and why it is considered a serious injury.

What is Road Rash?

Road rash is a wound caused by friction. It occurs when a rough surface scrapes off a person’s skin. A motorcyclist may sustain road rash during an accident if they lose control of the vehicle and are dragged on the road.

There are 3 layers of the skin: dermis, epidermis, and hypodermis; the severity of the injuries increases depending on how many layers get damaged.

Here are some degrees of road rash a rider might be subjected to:

• First Degree: They are mild injuries that damage the first layer of the skin.
• Second Degree: Such injuries damage the first and the second layer of the skin.
• Third Degree: They are more severe as they do deeper than the layers of skin, possibly exposing muscles and bones.

Unlike most injuries, road rash causes uneven and jagged injuries that can be contaminated with dirt and debris, making healing difficult.

For example, if a rider is riding the motorcycle at high speed and hits an obstacle that throws the rider off the bike, the rider is likely to sustain a third-degree road rash with possible embedded debris from the road.

Why Road Rash is Considered a Severe Injury in Certain Motorcycle Accidents

Let’s look into the various reasons that make road rash an injury that needs to be taken seriously.

Risk of Infections

Road rash is an injury caused when the rider is dragged across the road, scraping off layers of the rider’s skin and possibly muscles. When this happens, the dirt, debris, and bacteria on the road enter the wound, leading to infections, further worsening the conditions and increasing recovery time.

Here’s what to do to prevent infections:

• Keep the Wound Clean: Clean the wounds as soon as possible with antiseptics.
• Ensure the Wound is Covered: Cover the wounded area and change the bandages frequently.
• Medication: If prescribed, ensure to consume the medications.

If the wounds do not get better, do not hesitate to follow up with a medical professional.

Scarring and Long-Term Effects

If the accident causes severe wounds, the rider will likely sustain permanent scarring. When a rider gets a third-degree road rash, it causes significant damage to the rider’s tissue, which takes a long time to heal and will likely create a scar. Aside from the various types of scars road rash may cause, it can also cause ‘traumatic tattooing’ which is caused when the wounds heal with some foreign object, such as debris, still embedded.

Riders are also prone to nerve damage due to road rash. The scrapping, debris, etc., can seriously damage the rider’s nerve endings, making it an injury that can be more painful than puncture wounds. Nerve damage can cause long-term effects such as:

• Numbness or tingling in the wounded area
• Chronic pain due to damaged nerve endings

Financial Impacts of Severe Road Rash

Due to the injuries and complications a rider faces due to road rash, the financial strain will likely increase due to medical expenses and lost wages. Here are some medical expenses the victim may face:

• Emergency Care: The victim will have to get emergency medical assistance after the accident to ensure their safety and to attend to the road rash by properly cleaning and covering it.
• Skin Graft Surgery: The victim might go for skin grafting to treat scarring or other long-term damage caused due to a road rash.
• Long-term Wound Care: As road rash can affect the rider’s deeper layers of skin or muscles, the injuries will take longer to heal, meaning the expenses required for wound care can be significant.
• Physical Therapy: Road rash can cause damage to the driver’s muscles and nerve endings, making physical or occupational therapy necessary so they can return back to their life.

Luckily, the rider can get compensation for their economic and non-economic losses if the accident was caused due to another person’s negligence. However, to get their rightful compensation, they must hire a lawyer to guide them through the claims process, deal with the involved parties, and, if required, represent them in court.