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If you have suffered road rash in a motorcycle accident, you could be at risk of serious consequences in the short and long term. While you do not need to rush to the doctor for every single skin abrasion after a motorcycle accident, you need to keep a close eye on your condition.
If you notice any severe symptoms of road rash, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. As always, if someone else was responsible for your motorcycle accident injuries, they would be obligated to pay you for the full extent of your damages. Contact Charleston motorcycle accident attorney Trey Harrell to learn about your right to possible financial compensation after a motorcycle accident.
How Road Rash Happens
When a motorcyclist is involved in an accident, there is a strong chance that they will be thrown from their vehicle entirely. The motorcycle is still moving when the rider falls onto the roadway. For a time, their body may scrape along the asphalt before it stops moving. The contact with the roadway could result in a painful and dangerous condition called road rash.
Road rash is an abrasion of your skin that is caused by some type of friction. Even with medical treatment, road rash could cause you a lifetime of pain and disfigurement.
When to Seek Medical Treatment for Road Rash
Not every case of road rash will lead to permanent injuries. There are some more minor cases that you may be able to treat at home. However, you should seek medical treatment in the following cases:
- The size of the wound is extremely large
- Muscle and bone are visible
- The wound site is becoming infected
- There is debris or glass embedded in the wound
- The wound is excessively bleeding
You may want to err on the side of caution and see a doctor if things do not look right. The doctor could tell you that no further treatment is necessary, but you would rather let a doctor make that call.
If left untreated, road rash may develop into a serious infection. You could have scarring and disfigurement that could affect your appearance for the rest of your life.
Treatment for Road Rash
On your own, you could treat road rash by doing the following:
- Using antibiotic ointments
- Keeping your skin covered with a bandage
- Frequently changing the bandage
- Take acetaminophen to manage the pain
One of the most critical aspects of road rash is infection prevention. If road rash is left untreated, you could develop a severe infection that could eventually reach the stage of sepsis.
More serious cases of road rash require more extensive treatment. If you have suffered third-degree road rash, you may need extensive medical procedures to heal to the fullest extent possible. Some road rash patients need a series of skin grafts. These procedures are both painful and expensive. You could be left with steep medical bills and permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Preventing Road Rash in a Motorcycle Accident
Safety gear is the key to preventing the most serious road rash injuries. Road rash is even worse when the motorcyclist has any exposed skin or clothing that easily tears when it is subject to friction.
Some of the safety equipment that could help protect you from road rash in the event of a crash includes:
- Helmet
- Gloves
- Eye protection
- Face shields
- Pants
- Jackets
- Boots
This equipment should be durable and layered if possible. For example, the pants should be military-grade and abrasion-proof. The same thing goes for your jacket.
People will tell you that riding defensively is one way to prevent road rash injuries. However, you are not in control of what other people do and the level of regard that they have for your safety.
No matter how many precautions you take, you could end up with road rash because of someone else’s carelessness.
Who Pays for Your Road Rash Treatment?
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, the person who was responsible for the accident has the legal obligation to pay for all the costs associated with your injuries.
First, you would need to prove that someone else was to blame for what happened. You must come to the table with evidence that shows that a driver did something that would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances.
It is not always possible to investigate your own motorcycle accident. Not only are you too close to the situation, but you are also dealing with significant physical injuries.
How Attorney Trey Harrell Can Help You
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you need legal help to get you the most possible money to pay for your injuries. The insurance company is likely trying to downplay your expenses, so they can pad their own profits. You need an advocate who is in your corner every step of the way.
Here is how we could help you win:
- Gather the evidence that is necessary to prove negligence
- Learn how much your case is worth to seek the right amount in a settlement
- Keep the insurance company from trying to pressure or rush you
- Prepare the claim or lawsuit that seeks financial compensation
- Negotiate with the insurance company, standing up for you when they are trying to avoid paying you
It takes toughness and confidence to stand up to an insurance company. Attorney Trey Harrell fights hard on your behalf, holding insurance companies accountable when they try to underpay you.
Contact Us if You Have Suffered a Road Rash Injury in Charleston
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Trey Harrell Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorney in Charleston to learn more about your legal rights. Our motorcycle accident lawyer can deal with the insurance company to get you the highest amount possible for your road rash injuries. Otherwise, you could be leaving money on the table.
You can begin the legal process by scheduling a free consultation. You can message us online, or you can call us today at 843-636-8739. You do not need to pay us anything out of your pocket.