Degrees of Motorcycle Road Rash Injuries

When a rider is thrown from their bike during a motorcycle crash, the initial impact may be what hurts the most—but it’s far from the end of their injuries. Sliding across pavement, asphalt, or gravel can tear through even the most protective clothing, causing serious and sometimes permanent damage to the skin.

This is what we call road rash. When people think of serious motorcycle accident injuries, they tend to think of broken bones and traumatic brain injuries, but road rash can be incredibly dangerous. If you’re planning on pursuing a personal injury claim after an accident, it’s important to understand how motorcycle road rash is classified, what it means for your claim, and how to fight for fair compensation. Call Wagner Workers’ Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers to set up a consultation now.

How road rash is classified

Road rash is classified in a way similar to burns. First-degree road rash is the most minor form (although it can still be extremely painful), second-degree road rash is slightly more serious, and third-degree road rash is the worst possible outcome.

First-degree road rash

Riders who suffer first-degree road rash may only experience damage to the superficial layers of the skin. It often presents as visible scraping, redness, and mild abrasions. Common symptoms include red and irritated skin, stinging or pain, swelling in the area, and bleeding or bruising. While first-degree road rash can still look pretty rough after a motorcycle accident, it does tend to heal with general wound care and rest. It’s important to remember that infection can affect any wound and watch for signs of infection as it heals.

Second-degree road rash

Second-degree road rash is more severe than first-degree road rash, extending beyond the surface layer of the skin into the dermis. Beyond just affecting the skin, second-degree road rash can also cause significant damage to nerve endings and blood vessels. Those who experience second-degree road rash often report broken and blistered skin, exposed tissue, swelling, inflammation, bleeding that’s difficult to stop, and significant pain. Unlike first-degree road rash, second-degree road rash typically does not heal fully without actual medical care. Working closely with a doctor is necessary to set your skin up for proper healing and prevent infection, as infection is significantly more likely when deeper layers of the skin are affected. Your doctor may recommend preemptive antibiotics to stop an infection before it takes root. Special dressing and wound cleaning techniques may also be necessary to prevent permanent nerve damage and loss of sensation.

Third-degree road rash

The worst possible outcome for motorcyclists is third-degree road rash. This level of road rash strips away every layer of skin, leaving fat, muscle, or bone exposed. Feeling extraordinary pain is actually preferable to the alternative, which is nerve endings so thoroughly destroyed that you feel nothing at all. Signs of third-degree road rash include deep and open wounds, exposed tissue or bone, blackened skin, or minimal pain due to severe nerve damage.

You should seek medical care after any motorcycle accident, but especially when you suffer third-degree road rash. This is a medical emergency, and victims often need skin grafts and extensive surgery. Even with immediate treatment, victims may develop systemic infection, disfigurement, complete loss of sensation in the affected area, and permanent scarring.

Complications of road rash

No matter which level of road rash you suffer after a motorcycle accident, complications are always possible. One of the most serious complications you may experience is traumatic tattooing. This occurs when gravel and asphalt get so deeply embedded in the skin that they leave permanent markings and discoloration. Depending on how deeply the fragments embed themselves in the skin and what type of damage they cause on the way in, they may lead to chronic inflammation and require surgical extraction.

Infection is one of the most dangerous complications of road rash. The road is extremely dirty, and when you experience road rash, all of those germs and bacteria get a direct path into your body. If an infection takes hold, it can rapidly spread through the body and cause sepsis. This is a life-threatening medical emergency. Some road rash patients develop staph or MRSA, which are also very serious infections.

Other complications that may develop include nerve damage. Serious nerve damage may lead to nerve sensitivity, chronic pain, or numbness if the nerve damage is so bad that sensation is dulled.

Restricted mobility is unfortunately fairly common after serious cases of road rash. When the skin heals, whether it’s the original skin or a skin graft, it can become unnaturally tight and stiff. This limits your ability to move and can be very uncomfortable. It’s also often permanently disfiguring, which in addition to being physically painful can have psychological consequences for victims.

When it’s time to get legal help

When you’re involved in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, it is crucial to talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after you seek medical attention. The wounds you suffer can permanently affect your mobility, appearance, ability to ride, and even your independence. Medical expenses are likely to hit five digits, if not six—and you should not have to shoulder those costs on your own. Unfortunately, some jurors and insurance adjusters may hold biases against motorcyclists, making it more difficult to secure fair compensation without experienced legal representation. Working with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can give you a fighting chance at fair compensation—an attorney with experience in this area knows the challenges you’re up against and how to navigate them.

Reach out to Wagner Workers’ Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers today

If a motorcycle accident has left you suffering from road rash, do not talk to the insurance company alone. We’re here to advocate for you and demand the money you are owed. Get in touch with us online or call us to set up a consultation immediately.