If you have ever suffered from road rash, you know that it is a very painful injury. What you may not know is that severe road rash can be life-threatening. Road rash is slow to heal, and the risk of infection is high. Severe road rash is often treated in burn centers or burn units. Road rash can occur in motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, scooter crashes, skating accidents and even in crashes involving enclosed vehicles when occupants are ejected or partially ejected.
Road Rash Injury
Road rash is both an abrasion and a thermal burn. It is categorized in degrees, like other types of burns. It happens when skin grinds against the road. Skin, muscle, fat and even bone can be ground away. As this is happening dirt, grime and debris from the road surface is embedded in the wound making the risk of infection very high. Road rash will often include a combination of the following:
- Abrasion – skin and sometimes deeper tissue are rubbed or ground off
- Avulsion – tissue is torn away
- Laceration – cuts into tissue
- Thermal burn – due to heat caused by the friction involved
Consequences of Road Rash
One of the biggest dangers associated with road rash is the high risk of infection, even when the injury is not deep. In severe cases of road rash, there can be life-threatening bleeding at the time of injury. Road rash can be so deep as to cause permanent damage and disfigurement, grinding away muscle nerves and even bone. Amputations can occur as part of the initial injury or become medically necessary as a result of infection.
Consequences of road rash can include:
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Amputation
- Severe scarring
- Disfigurement
- Traumatic tattoo
- Permanent impairment
- Infection
- Shock
- Sepsis
Road rash treatment ranges in extensiveness based on the severity of the injury. Simply cleaning the wound is a very painful process due to the gravel and other debris that becomes embedded in the tissue. Debridement is often necessary. In severe cases, skin grafts are required.
If you have suffered severe road rash as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, or a defective product, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. Please search our directory for an experienced injury attorney in your area.
