Attorneys
Last Updated: 2/22/2024
Motorcycles are associated with freedom of the road, exhilaration and fun. They are also linked to an increased likelihood for serious injury and death in the case of a collision. A common injury associated with motorcycle accidents is road rash. Road rash is the result of skin being scraped across the road surface, causing lacerations and abrasions.
Much like burns, motorcycle road rash is categorized by degree of severity. More serious road rash injuries require medical intervention to facilitate healing while less serious road rash cases can be treated successfully at home. Wearing protective clothing such as leather gear while riding a motorcycle can decrease the possibility that serious road rash will occur if the bike goes down in a crash.
Degrees of Motorcycle Road Rash
First-degree or minor road rash involves skin redness and probably does not warrant major medical treatment. Home treatments, including cleaning and antibiotic ointment application, often suffice for healing these injuries.
Second-degree road rash is a bit more serious as the skin breaks. This degree of road rash may involve more discomfort and pain but typically can be treated at home as well.
Third-degree road rash is a serious injury that affects all skin layers, exposing tissue beneath it. It even damages muscles and other structures. Medical intervention, such as skin grafting is a common surgical treatment for third-degree motorcycle road rash.
Skin Grafting to Treat Motorcycle Road Rash
Skin grafting is a surgical procedure that must be performed in a hospital setting while the patient is under general anesthesia. Recovery after skin grafts can be lengthy and difficult. Patients recovering from skin grafts can require weeks in the hospital for observation of the donor and graft sites and to ensure that the body does not reject the transplanted skin.
Movement can be limited for weeks following release from the hospital as the graft site heals, making a return to work or normal activity difficult for some time.
Seeking Compensation for Motorcycle Road Rash
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident with another vehicle and the other party is at fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages by filing a motorcycle accident claim. You may be able to recover damages including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages during the time of your treatment and recovery, and pain and suffering. Discuss the effects of your motorcycle accident with a lawyer to review the types of damages you may pursue in your claim or lawsuit.
Proving fault is one key element of a successful motorcycle accident case, as is proper documentation of all your losses. Be sure to keep meticulous records of all medical treatments, bills and lost time from work after the accident. Obtain your police report and any witness statements from the police department that responded to the accident scene. Provide your attorney with any photos or notes you’ve written down about the accident at the scene or afterward.
Call Walker, Billingsley & Bair for Legal Help
Walker, Billingsley & Bair helps seriously injured motorcyclists in Iowa – such as those suffering from third-degree motorcycle road rash – pursue fair compensation for their damages. Talk to our team to learn more about how we can help you recover damages that will allow you to provide for your family, pay your bills and relax while you take time to heal. Call us today at (888) 435-9886 or use our online contact form to set up a free consultation to discuss your case with an attorney at our firm.
