Motorcycle accidents can be devastating. The lack of protection on a motorcycle in an accident means that the motorcycle will lose almost every time it collides with a car. Having an experienced Okemos motorcycle accident lawyer from White Law PLLC on your side can help if that happens.
If you are recovering from a road rash after a motorcycle accident, you might wonder if you can sue for damages based on the injury. Almost nothing in the legal world is straightforward, but talking with our lawyer may make that more simple for you.
Road Rash Explained
The medical term for road rash is friction burn. Like a thermal or chemical burn, road rash can have long-lasting consequences depending on its severity and location. Some minor cases may be able to be treated at home, but a medical professional should evaluate any road rash resulting from a motorcycle accident.
A personal injury lawyer can help you sue for damages.
Categories of Road Rash
Experts categorize road rash, or friction burns, into three categories, just like thermal burns:
- First-degree: superficial scrapes on the top layer of skin. There may be some bleeding.
- Second-degree: damage to deeper layers of skin. With this level of injury, the tendon or ligament may be exposed.
- Third-degree: This is the most severe type of road rash. Damage can descend to the bone.
Typically, a first-degree friction burn can be treated at home as long as it is kept dry and clean, but something as severe as third-degree or full-thickness burns should be evaluated immediately by a medical professional.
Consequences of Road Rash Can Have a Profound Effect
Recovering from road rash can be a long journey, requiring hospitalization and possible surgeries, depending on the severity. Further, once the injuries have healed, for many, there is an emotional adjustment to coping with scarring, disfigurement, or lingering pain. The consequences of a full or even partial-thickness road rash can be lifelong and painful.
Your Fight Is Our Fight
Complications of Road Rash in Michigan Motorcycle Wrecks
Any injury where the skin is broken presents the opportunity for a complication. Even a paper cut can get infected and cause problems, and friction burns are no different. This risk is especially valid for road rash from a motorcycle accident.
Infection is a concern for any injury and is very common when there are large areas of broken skin. Road rash can be particularly problematic because debris like rocks, sticks, or dirt may become embedded in the wound. If left improperly treated, this can cause permanent discoloration, known as trauma tattooing.
In more severe cases of road rash, there is more significant tissue damage that may include nerves. After these injuries heal, they can leave nerve damage and significant scarring in their wake. These symptoms may mean a big emotional adjustment to potentially disfiguring scars or ongoing pain from nerve damage.
Compensation Eligibility in a Motorcycle Wreck
If you have been significantly injured in a motorcycle accident and sustained partial or full-thickness road rash, you may be entitled to compensation. You can speak with a motorcycle accident attorney from White Law PLLC to determine what you may be eligible for. When determining if you are eligible for compensation, our attorney may look at a couple of factors, including:
- Who is at fault for the accident
- How did your injuries impact you
- Are your injuries causing long-term problems for you
- Do you have medical bills resulting from your injuries
- Did you have to miss time from work
- Has it impacted your emotional well-being
- Has it impacted your overall quality of life
You may be eligible for compensation if you have sustained a significant road rash injury because of another driver’s negligence. However, it is valid to consider the cost of the emotional damages incurred by being in an accident and sustaining injuries. This experience can have a significant emotional impact, affecting your ability to function, and this may entitle you to compensation as well.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Damages in a Motorcycle Wreck
If you or a loved one have been injured in a motorcycle wreck, whether you are aiming to settle out of court or take the case to a trial, you will likely be considering what damages to claim. The damages you claim can vary greatly depending on the specifics of your accident:
- Medical Bills
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
- Future medical costs
- Disfigurement
- Wrongful death
In many cases, the scarring following road rash can be significant. For many people, this can be an emotionally painful thing to get used to and may affect self-esteem, especially if it is in highly visible areas. Further, scar tissue can be painful in and of itself and may cause mobility issues depending on the location of the tissue.
Wrongful Death
While road rash itself rarely leads to a fatality, motorcycle riders regularly have the highest fatality rates. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), motorcycles account for 3% of all registered vehicles but 14% of all traffic fatalities. If you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident where someone else is at fault, you may be eligible to make a wrongful death claim.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Recovering from Motorcycle Accident Injuries
A second—or third-degree road rash is not a minor injury and may lead to an excruciating recovery, including surgical intervention to correct it in severe cases. If you have sustained significant road rash in a motorcycle accident, you may be eligible for compensation based on those injuries and any complications arising from them.
Money doesn’t make the injury, pain, or fear from the accident disappear. Contact White Law PLLC today to speak to a highly skilled motorcycle accident attorney in Lansing. Schedule a free consultation today to discuss the unique details of your case.
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