Recovering Compensation for Road Rash Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

Even when motorcyclists are wearing safety gear, they are still at a high risk of being injured if they are in an accident. They do not have the external protection other drivers have and can suffer painful, debilitating injuries like road rash. If a motorcyclist gets thrown from the bike in an accident, road rash injuries may occur.

A road rash happens when a motorcyclist comes off the motorcycle and comes into contact with the gravel, road, pavement, or asphalt. Road rash can occur even when the motorcyclist takes enough safety measures, such as wearing chaps, jackets, and gloves.

When contact between the road surface and a motorcyclist’s skin occurs, layers of the skin can become torn away, possibly down to the muscle or bone. These injuries can be challenging to treat and lead to infection or nerve damage. Road rash injuries can range from mild to severe and may require extensive medical care. There are four degrees of road rash injuries, including:

• First-degree: road rash injuries leave the top level of a person’s skin red and typically heal normally
• Second-degree: in this level of road rash, the first level of skin breaks. In most cases, the underlying skin layers were undamaged. The injury can heal without causing permanent scarring or damage.
• Third-degree road rash is severe and can result in most of the skin being removed so no fat or tissue can be seen. Skin grafts are usually required for third-degree road rash. 

Some of the most common effects of road rash include the following:

• Infections
• Disfigurement
• Scarring of the affected area
• Severe pain
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Road rash injuries can cause long-term, significant medical issues, especially with third and fourth-degree road rash. Road rash can affect a victim’s emotional well-being, health, and ability to continue working. The motorcycle attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, have extensive experience obtaining compensation for victims who have suffered severe road rash. We will work diligently to determine the full extent of your injuries and how much compensation you are entitled to through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.

Medical expenses frequently make up most of the compensation claims in road rash cases. It is essential that you receive medical attention immediately after a motorcycle accident so a doctor can diagnose and treat your condition effectively. You can pursue compensation for all of the following expenses:

• Emergency room visits
• Surgery
• Hospitalization
• Doctors visits
• Diagnostic imaging and tests
• Medications
• Medical supplies and devices

You may be forced to take time off work because of your road rash injury, causing you to lose income. You may be able to recover compensation for the following:

• The earnings you lost from taking time off of work while hospitalized or recovering from your injury
• Vocational training
• Lost earning capacity if your road rash injury stops you from being able to perform your typical job duties 

In addition to compensation for medical expenses and lost income, victims can pursue compensation for the pain, suffering, discomfort, and mental anguish they have endured due to their road rash injury. The degree of your injury, medical expenses, recovery time, and pain you have suffered will all be evaluated when determining pain and suffering.

Road rash injuries can lead to disfigurement and permanent scarring, resulting in ongoing pain and negatively impacting the victim’s quality of life. Many victims must endure reconstructive surgery, skin grafts, and other costly and invasive treatments and rehabilitation. Recovering from severe scarring and disfigurement can lead to significant time off of work, making it difficult to pay medical bills. Our attorneys will help you determine whether you are entitled to additional compensation for your disfigurement and scarring.

Motorcycle injuries, including road rash, can have severe effects on motorcyclists. If you have suffered a road rash injury, you should discuss your case with an experienced attorney immediately. Learning more about your legal rights and options can help you protect your legal right to compensation for your injuries.

The trusted personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC have decades of experience handling motorcycle accident cases. After carefully reviewing your case, we will pursue all the compensation you deserve. We provide legal services on a contingency fee and will only require payment if we obtain compensation for you. Contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, today to schedule your free case evaluation.