There are various degrees of road rash—just like with burn injuries. First-degree road rash usually results in irritated skin and doesn’t need treatment. If you experience second-degree road rash, the outer layer of your skin breaks, but it usually heals itself with little scarring. Third-degree road rash can be quite severe—the skin comes off and underlying tissue is exposed. Skin grafting is often needed for third-degree road rashes.

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, you may have experienced this painful condition because it’s common for bikers to be thrown from their bikes and make contact with the pavement. Even if you don’t experience third-degree road rash, it’s important to seek medical attention after you’re injured. If you don’t, you risk infection that may need surgery or other treatment.

Two Tips About Road Rash

As a motorcycle rider, it’s important to know some important information about road rash that might help you prevent it or may be helpful if you need to file an accident claim. Here are two tips concerning road rash:

  • Treating it yourself isn’t always smart. If you have first-degree road rash, your skin is likely red and tender, and you may not think you need medical attention. However, getting to a doctor is advantageous. Medical personnel can wash the wound and prescribe a topical antibiotic ointment that may prevent infection. In addition, it starts a medical record that is helpful if you need to go to court. If your road rash is more severe, there may be objects, such as pebbles or gravel, lodged inside your skin or tissue. Immediate medical attention is essential for these types of injuries.
  • Choosing what you wear is important. If you’re riding in Daytona Beach, the idea of getting into thick and heavy clothes is probably not appealing. However, doing so can make all the difference between an abrasion that requires minimal treatment and one that requires a skin graft. Long-sleeved shirts, jackets, pants, boots, gloves, and helmets are always a good idea.

Motorcycle Accident Victims Have Rights

Accident victims may suffer road rash after an accident that wasn’t their fault. They may also face expensive medical bills if that road rash is severe. The attorneys of Johnson and Gilbert have helped people who’ve been injured in motorcycle accidents. Contact us at 800.556.8890 to find out how we can help you.

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