Motor Vehicle Accidents and Road Rash Injuries
While road rash is often associated with motorcycle accidents, it can occur in any type of traffic collision. These injuries can range from mild to severe, with some requiring extensive medical care and leaving victims with lasting physical and emotional scars. If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident and sustained road rash, talk to a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer to understand your legal options.
What Are Road Rash Injuries?
Road rash is a term used to describe skin abrasions and lacerations that occur when a person’s body makes contact with the pavement or other rough surfaces during a traffic accident. When a rider or driver is thrown from their vehicle, they may skid across the road, scraping their skin and causing layers of skin and tissue to peel away.
Not all road rash injuries are the same. They vary in severity depending on the circumstances of the accident, such as the speed of the vehicles involved, the type of surface the person’s body comes into contact with, and whether protective clothing or gear was worn. Road rash is typically categorized into three degrees of severity.
- First-degree road rash. The least severe type, first-degree road rash results in minor scrapes and redness. While painful, it usually heals on its own with minimal treatment and doesn’t leave lasting scars.
- Second-degree road rash. This involves deeper damage to the skin and may require medical treatment. The skin is often broken, and victims may experience bleeding, swelling, and a higher risk of infection.
- Third-degree road rash. The most severe form of road rash, third-degree injuries penetrate through all layers of skin, exposing underlying tissue or bone. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, skin grafts, and ongoing wound care. Without proper care, third-degree road rash can lead to serious infections and permanent scarring.
Common in motorcycle accidents, where the rider has less protection than those in enclosed vehicles, road rash is possible in a range of situations. For instance, cyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable to road rash in traffic collisions, especially when they come into contact with the ground or other abrasive surfaces after being struck.
Is There a Path for Receiving Compensation for Medical Care?
If you’ve sustained road rash injuries in a motor vehicle accident, it’s critical to seek appropriate medical attention as soon as possible. Often victims will require compensation to cover their medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and ongoing care for complications such as infections or nerve damage. Additionally, severe road rash injuries may result in time away from work, creating financial burdens.
When pursuing compensation, you need to account for the full extent of your injuries, both immediate and long-term. This is where working with an experienced Boca Raton personal injury lawyer becomes key.
What bills are you receiving after seeking treatment for a road rash injury? The attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez can assist in calculating your current medical bills and projecting future expenses you may face due to harm sustained. After being hurt in a Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, or Pompano Beach accident, call 561-660-9421 for legal support.
