What is Road Rash?
Road rash is a friction burn which motorcyclists suffer when they fall off their bikes. It is quite painful and often has lingering side effects. Although this might not seem like a life-threatening injury, some road rash becomes infected, and failure to treat an infection can lead to long-term problems including sepsis. Call our law firm to discuss whether you can bring an injury claim for road rash. Some considerations include why you fell off the motorcycle and the severity of your injury.
Expenses Related to Road Rash
Road rash often occurs on any exposed area of the body. A motorcyclist wearing shorts can suffer serious road rash on their shins and calves, while someone wearing short sleeves might suffer it on their arms and hands. However, even someone wearing pants could suffer road rash if their pant leg rides up while skittering along the road.
The friction burns or peels back layers of skin. Dirt can become embedded in the wound, leading to additional problems, such as infection if bacteria is in the dirt.
Mild road rash can heal with ointment and pain medication, provided the motorcyclist watches closely for common signs of infection. More serious road rash can require skin grafting because the skin is too damaged or torn completely from the limb.
Expenses include:
- Medical care for skin grafts and other treatments. You should go to the hospital to have the wound cleaned. A doctor can also treat any infection.
- Pain management. Road rash is very painful, so most motorcyclists need ointment or oral medication to manage pain.
- Lost income. Due to pain, you might need to miss work while you recover. Many of our clients lose thousands of dollars in income or wages after a motorcycle crash.
- Motorcycle repairs. Your bike could be damaged in a crash, although some motorcyclists fall off due to a road defect, like a huge pothole.
Watch the wound to make sure it is healing properly. Infection can lead to sepsis, which is the body’s overreaction to an infection. Sepsis can also continue to septic shock, which is fatal when organs begin to shut down.
Motorcycle accident victims should seek compensation for economic losses like those listed above. But a settlement should also include compensation for pain and suffering, along with mental distress. Someone with road rash can be left with permanent scarring on visible parts of their body and struggle with embarrassment or depression.
Schedule a Meeting with a Miami Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Pita Weber Del Prado is a personal injury law firm with a strong reputation in Florida. We can seek financial compensation for our clients when they are hurt by a negligent motorist. Your case will depend on the strength of evidence. We have experience submitting claims against negligent drivers or the government for failing to keep a road safe. In a consultation, we can provide a preliminary assessment of the strength of your evidence and answer all questions you have. Contact Pita Weber Del Prado today to schedule a free consultation with a Miami motorcycle accident lawyer.
