Most motorcycle riders hit the road safely and responsibly, often doing so to enjoy the outdoors on a nice day. Unfortunately, the day can be abruptly interrupted for many seasoned riders when a distracted car or truck cuts us off, leading to a bike drop. If we’re lucky, we walk away without broken bones, but we often end up with what’s known as road rash. However, any motorcyclist who’s been through it knows it’s far from just a “rash.”
Road rash is one of the most common injuries motorcyclists face in accidents in New Jersey. Riders with exposed skin who fall during traffic mishaps can suffer serious road rash injuries. Depending on the crash details, these injuries can have lasting impacts and demand significant medical treatment—not to mention a lot of pain and suffering.
What Are Road Rash Injuries?
Should you not have heard the word, you might ask, “What is road rash?” Like in a motorcycle accident, it is essentially a friction burn caused by someone hitting or sliding on the pavement. Road rash injuries can result from falls off bikes for motorcyclists or bikers. However, those who get flung from their autos in an accident may also develop road rash upon impact.
Road rash’s severity is measured by degrees, much as burns; each degree indicates a more severe damage. It is broken out like this:
- Usually involving simply the top layer of skin, first-degree road rash is caused by scraping. Though it usually heals on its own, first-degree road rash is best washed with soap and water to prevent infections.
- Second-degree road rash affects the second layer of skin and results from a somewhat deeper injury. These injuries might need a doctor’s treatment and cause swelling and bleeding. Even after healing, they could leave a long-lasting scar.
- The most severe type, third-degree road rash, damages the skin and may expose adipose tissues, ligaments, tendons, muscles, or even bone. Expect major bleeding and swelling; the wound looks to be somewhat milky.
How to Treat Road Rash
Healing road rash injuries depends on their degree. With basic first aid, small injuries—first-degree and some second-degree ones—can be treated:
- To stop infection and clean the cut with soap and warm water, remove trash or dirt.
- Bandages will help to preserve the skin as it heals by covering a cut.
- Use hydrating antibiotic ointments to prevent infection and drying out of the skin.
- Change the bandage often—ideally once daily—to maintain its steeliness.
- Watch the site for symptoms of infection like redness, swelling, discomfort, or unusual discharge.
- Use over-the-counter painkillers to reduce injury-related discomfort as needed.
More severe road rash injuries can call for a visit to a healthcare provider. Treatments for severe cases include these ones:
- Water-based choices such as ultrasonic mist treatment to remove waste from the wound and initiate healing
- For slow healing wounds, hyperbaric oxygen therapy
- Debridement, which gets dead tissue out so the rest may heal
- Procedures including skin grafts, close wound repairs, or foreign debris removal
Depending on the location of the damage, road rash sufferers may also have plastic surgery to enhance the appearance and flexibility of scars or physical therapy to maintain flexibility of joints should scar tissue develops.
Can I Seek Compensation for Road Rash?
Perfect! You’re in the right if you can prove another vehicle hit you or if the other driver was careless and you dropped your bike to prevent a crash. Police reports can accuse the rider even though they did nothing illegal; a qualified attorney can help to clear the record. Hiring personal injury lawyers in NJ to investigate your circumstances, identify anyone who might be liable, and assist you in obtaining the pay-back for your damages.
Severe road rash injuries could call for extensive medical treatment. Particularly if these injuries result in medical expenditures, delay you from working, or cause pain, emotional suffering, and lower quality of life, you could be entitled to payback.
