Motorcycle Accident Road Rash Injury Lawyers
If you were hurt in the Bronx, our attorneys are ready to fight for you
Road rash is a common injury seen in motorcycle accidents throughout New York City. The name makes it sounds like a minor and annoying condition that motorcyclists sometimes get. But in reality, road rash is a painful and sometimes disfiguring injury that can impact the lives of victims in many ways.
If a negligent driver caused the accident that left you with a serious road rash injury, you deserve financial compensation. But insurance companies are not your side and often dispute the severity of your injuries. That’s why you need an experienced Bronx motorcycle accident lawyer who is ready to fight for you. Giampa Law can help.
What is road rash?
Though it’s called road “rash,” this injury is actually a type of friction burn. It happens when the exposed skin makes extended contact with the road. During an accident, a motorcyclist may slide down the road, resulting in damage to skin on the arms, legs, or face. There is also a high risk of infection if dirt or gravel from the road gets into the wound.
As with other burns, there are different degrees of road rash. They include:
- First-degree – Injuries are relatively minor and include scrapes, cuts, and irritation of the top layers of skin.
- Second-degree – In this more severe type of road rash, the skin has been broken, and there may be pain, redness, and bleeding.
- Third-degree – This is the most severe type. The wound has cut through all layers of skin. Fat, muscle, and cartilage is exposed and possibly damaged.
It’s important to get medical attention as soon as possible for road rash from a motorcycle accident. You may also have other serious injuries that need to be addressed.
Diagnosis and treatment
A doctor will perform a physical examination and determine the extent of the injury. This includes an assessment of the depth of the wounds and total body surface area (TBSA) that is affected. The wound will be cleaned and any foreign material such as gravel or asphalt debris will be removed.
In cases of severe road rash, the doctor will also perform an ABCDE assessment. This involves checking:
- Airway – Looking into the mouth and removing any obstruction that is present
- Breathing – Determining if the person is breathing
- Circulation – Determining if there is adequate blood flow
- Disability – Determining if the person is responsive and alert
- Exposure – Checking temperature and examining the body for rash or other injuries
Treatment for road rash depends on the severity of the injury. It may involve the use of ointment, bandages, and the removal of dead or damaged tissue (debridement). If there is disfigurement, a person may need a skin graft or flap surgery. Other surgery may be needed if there is damage to nerves or tendons.
How long does road rash take to heal? It depends on many factors, including the severity of the injury. It can take months or even years to completely recover. In some cases, there can be complications such as nerve damage or infection.
The cost of a road rash injury can be high
Medical expenses can add up quickly and become overwhelming. These expenses may include the costs of ambulance services, emergency treatment, lab tests, surgery, hospitalization, medication, and multiple follow-up appointments. Many people wonder how they will be able to pay their bills.
If a negligent driver caused your motorcycle accident, you shouldn’t have to pay. But recovering financial compensation is a complicated process. The negligent driver who caused your crash may deny doing anything wrong – even if that driver was clearly speeding, texting behind the wheel, fatigued, or driving under the influence.
Don’t count on insurance companies. Their main goal is to pay you as little as possible. And the way they see things, motorcyclists engage in risky driving behaviors and are probably partially to blame for what happened. The insurance companies and their lawyers use many tactics to try to limit your compensation. They may argue your road rash isn’t really that bad. They may contact you to ask you some questions, trying to get you to say something that can be used against your claim. (You should politely decline and speak to an attorney.)
Or they’ll offer you a settlement – but it won’t come close to covering all of the damages you suffered in your crash. What can you do? You can call us.
Ready to fight for you every step of the way
At Giampa Law, our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers build strong cases built on facts. Our legal team investigates your collision to find out what really happened. We gather evidence, including any video from nearby traffic cameras. We carefully review accident reports and interview witnesses. If needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts.
We fight back against insurance company attempts to pay you less and demand the compensation you deserve. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to your road rash, lost wages if you couldn’t work, and other damages such as pain and suffering.
Our firm offers aggressive representation from attorneys who are dedicated to helping you get the best results possible. If we can’t negotiate a settlement that meets your needs, we will be prepared to fight for you in court. If you suffered a road rash injury in a Bronx motorcycle accident, we can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.