Road rash injuries occur when a motorcyclist makes contact with the roadway after being thrown from the vehicle during an accident.
These injuries are often serious and require expensive treatment. This is why victims who believe their accident was caused by negligence should try to pursue compensation for the damages they have sustained.
The motorcycle accident attorneys in South Bend at Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak have represented crash victims who have sustained road rash and other serious injuries. We are prepared to protect your rights and seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
If you believe that your road rash case entitles you to compensation, contact a reputable attorney at our firm to discuss your legal options during a free, confidential consultation.
What is Road Rash?
Road rash is a skin abrasion that appears after the driver has slid across the roadway during a motorcycle accident. There are three categories of road rash, similar to what burn victims suffer:
- First-Degree – These are superficial with only minor damage affecting the outer layer of the skin. A first-degree road rash injury appears as redness and does not generally need medical treatment, but it may cause a burning sensation.
- Second-Degree –The outer layer of skin is broken. Pain and swelling are standard with this type of personal injury and minimal scarring may arise after you seek medical assistance.
- Third-Degree – When the injuries are deep and damage resides both under and over the skin, serious medical treatment is needed. These injuries are severe and can cause loss of skin and scarring. Skin grafting is often one of the treatments necessary for recovery, but this is usually expensive and victims require additional medications after skin grafts are done.
Common Injuries Associated with Road Rash
Moderate to serious road rash may result in the need for hospitalization for days, weeks or longer. Victims offer suffer intense pain and the following injuries:
- Scarring throughout the affected area
- Disfigurement from third-degree wounds that may misshape the appendage
- Infection
- Emotional damage in the form of post-traumatic stress
- Psychological damage from replaying the experience inside the mind repeatedly
Types of Compensation for Road Rash Injuries
An injured motorcyclist may be able to pursue compensation for the damages that he or she has suffered, such as:
Medical Expenses
Road rash victims should seek immediate medical treatment and keep track of the following procedures and treatments to determine the value of their medical expenses:
- Visits to a physician
- Treatments in a medical facility
- Surgical procedures
- Labs and other tests performed
- Medications to deal with pain and infections
- Assistive devices, such as crutches
- Out-of-pocket expenses for over-the-counter supplies and medications
- Mileage to and from the doctor
Lost Income
After a serious motorcycle accident, you may be unable to return to work. Fortunately, you may be able to receive compensation for the following types of lost income:
- Lost wages for days when you were hospitalized or recovering for your injuries
- Vocational retraining
- Lost earning capacity if the road rash was so severe that you had to change jobs because you could not return to the type of work you did before your injury
Pain and Suffering
Road rash victims can also pursue compensation for pain, suffering, mental anguish and discomfort they experienced because of the accident. A jury or insurance adjuster may consider the severity of the injuries, the recovery time and the pain caused by these injuries when determining this type of compensation.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Even with medical treatment and surgery, scarring is common with road rash. Disfigurement is a likely result with third degree injuries. The value placed on these injuries depends on their degree, location on the body and the potential impact they have on the victim.
Get Help with Your Road Rash Claim
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident and developed road rash, it is important that you contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can review your claim.
At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, we are committed to protecting the rights of injured motorcyclists and will provide you with a free, no obligation consultation to determine what legal options you have available against the other driver.
We will investigate your claim and pursue compensation against the at-fault party on a contingency fee basis, which means you only have to pay us if we recover compensation for your injury claim.
Contact a personal injury lawyer from Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak at (574) 444-0741 to get started today.
