Motorcyclists are at a high risk of injury on the roads. Motorcycles are not equipped with seat belts or airbags like other vehicles are. Motorcyclists are also extremely exposed when they are on the road. With little more than a helmet to protect them, bikers are very vulnerable and likely to suffer some of the most serious injuries when they are involved in a crash. Of all of these, road rash is one of the most common. While this injury may sound quite minor, it is not. Below, our West Virginia motorcycle accident attorney explains further.
How Common is Road Rash from a Motorcycle Accident?
Because motorcyclists are so exposed when they are on the road, road rash is extremely common during a motorcycle accident. According to the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons, there were 20,407cases of road rash that resulted in hospitalization in 2023. Of these, 400 cases ended in fatality, 1,974 patients required rehabilitation, and 1,126 patients went to nursing home facilities.
What is Motorcycle Accident Road Rash?
The medical term for road rash is ‘abrasion.’ The injury occurs when the exterior layer of skin slides and scrapes against a hard and rough surface, such as a road. Road rash often involves breaks and tears in the skin and small capillaries, which can cause some bleeding.
Debris, gravel, and other foreign objects can become embedded in a biker’s skin when they slide against the road after an accident. There are times when motorcycle accident road rash is fairly minor and heals on its own with at-home remedies and time. When road rash is serious, motorcyclists may require emergency medical care and continued treatment in the following days, weeks, and even months.
Although road rash is not typically fatal on its own, it can develop life-threatening complications.
Due to the open nature of the wound, infection can quickly settle in. This can be particularly dangerous when a motorcyclist is trying to recover from other serious injuries and may have a weaker immune system.
Where Does Road Rash Most Commonly Occur?
Road rash motorcycle accidents can occur on any part of the body that is exposed. Most commonly, it affects the following areas:
- Face
- Elbows
- Shoulders
- Lower legs
- Knees
- Arms
- Thighs
- Palms
Damage Caused by Road Rash from Motorcycle Accidents
On its own, road rash is a fairly serious injury. If only the outer layer of skin is affected, it can cause some pain and bleeding. On the other hand, when the abrasion is much deeper and extends below the surface of the skin, it can cause other injuries, as well. Damaged blood vessels, broken bones, bruising, and objects such as dirt or glass being forced into the wound are some of the most common.
One of the more severe complications from road rash is called a ‘traumatic tattoo.’ This injury occurs when foreign particles become embedded in the skin. A traumatic tattoo causes permanent discoloration and scarring from the wound.
Types of Road Rash
Motorcycle accident road rash typically falls into three different types. These include:
- Avulsion: Avulsions occur when the friction caused by the skin sliding against the road causes the skin to scrape off. An avulsion exposes the muscles, nerves, and other components lying under the surface of the skin.
- Compression: Road rash compression occurs when a part of the body becomes trapped between two objects, such as between the motorcycle and another vehicle or the motorcycle and the road.
- Open wounds: Road rash can also create open wounds. Open wounds often require skin grafts, stitches, or plastic surgery.
Degrees of Road Rash
Just as there are different types of road rash, there are also different degrees of the injury. These are first, second, and third, and they involve:
- First-degree: The least severe is first-degree road rash. Typically, it results in minor bruising, scrapes, and bleeding.
- Second-degree: When the top layer of the skin is scraped and exposes underlying layers, it can damage tendons, muscles, and nerves. Glass, gravel, and other types of debris may also enter the open wound.
- Third-degree: A third-degree road rash injury causes the skin to be removed altogether, leaving a milky or shiny appearance. When road rash is this severe, it often covers large parts of the body, up to ten percent. Third-degree road rash may expose bone, muscle, tendons, and nerves. Common complications of third-degree road rash include disfigurement, infections, and scarring.
Can You Claim Compensation for a Road Rash Motorcycle Accident?
Just as with other types of injuries, you can claim compensation from the negligent party who caused your crash. When filing a claim, you can include all of the losses you suffered during a crash.
The most common types of damages obtained in motorcycle accident cases include:
- Medical expenses, including hospitalization, ambulance service, surgeries, and more
- Lost income if you cannot return to work right away
- Loss of earning capacity, if you cannot return to the same line of work again
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Scarring or permanent loss of limb
- Loss of enjoyment of life
To claim any of the above damages under West Virginia law, you must generally file your claim within two years of the date of your crash. This is known as the statute of limitations, or time limit.
If you do not file your claim within this time, you will lose your legal right to claim any compensation at all.
Call Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney in West Virginia for Help After Injury
Road rash is a very serious injury that is common after motorcycle accidents. While you are recovering from it and the other injuries you suffered, there is no better time to handle the legal details of filing a claim. At Kaufman & McPherson, our West Virginia motorcycle accident lawyer can accurately value your claim and negotiate with the other party on your behalf so you obtain the maximum compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation and to learn more about how we can help.
