- May 6, 2015
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Personal Injury
Road rash, also called abrasions, happens when you fall or slide on a hard surface, such as a road or highway and the friction causes layers of your skin to rub off. Road rash injuries can be very painful and severe because of the fact that layers of the skin are removed and many nerve endings are exposed.
Unfortunately for bikers, road rash is a very common injury resulting from a motorcycle accident. This is because a bike is not enclosed and shielded like a motor vehicle and when a motorcyclist is involved in a crash, typically the biker will fall on the hard surface of the road. As the biker falls or slides on the road or highway, friction will cause the layers of the skin to rub off and the result is often road rash. Even when riders wear protective gear and operate their bike safety, road rash is sometimes inescapable when a motorcycle crash happens.There are three different degrees in which a road rash can occur. They include first, second and third, with third degree being most severe. For first and second degree road rashes, professional medical treatment may not be necessary, however it is important that you clean the wound with mild soap and water or a mild antiseptic to wash out all dirt and debris. Scrubbing the injury could cause scarring so you want to make sure you do not do so. Once the wound is cleaned you will want to cover the area with an antibiotic ointment and then bandage it up.
An individual who has sustained a third degree road rash, meaning all five skin layers of the skin have rubbed off, should seek medical treatment immediately as the open skin may be susceptible to infections and serious repercussions could follow if not treated promptly. In addition, third degree road rash injuries may also require surgery or physical therapy to heal.
Motorcyclists who suffer road rash injuries in a motorcycle accident may be able to seek compensation for their pain and suffering against the negligent driver that caused the crash, as well as seek reimbursement from the insurance company for no-fault benefits. No-fault benefits could include anything from lost wages, payment for household help or in-home nursing care, reimbursement for your medical bills and more.
In Michigan, laws are different for incidents involving motorcyclists. For this reason it is important you consult with an attorney who has significant experience representing Michigan bikers and understand the Michigan laws governing these type of collisions.
At Goodman Acker P.C. our Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers actively represent victims injured in a crash. This includes motorcyclists suffering from road rash injuries. We have a track record of obtaining sizeable settlements for our clients and pride ourselves in providing the best possible legal service, which includes keeping you informed on every step of the filing process.
If you or your loved one suffers a road rash as result of a motorcycle collision, it is important you contact an experienced motorcycle attorney. For more information on filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit or how to file a claim for your no-fault benefits, call Goodman Acker today at (248) 286-8100 or fill out the "Do You Have A Case?" quick contact form to the right for a free, no obligation case review. We will review your case for free, spend all the time necessary to answer your questions, and explain your legal rights to you.