Lacerations, Bruises and Road Rash

Over 2.3 million people in the U.S. were injured in motor vehicle accidents in a single recent year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports. Of the many injuries suffered in the various types of traffic collisions, bruises, lacerations and road rash injury were among the most common.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious bruises, lacerations or road rash in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. You should seek legal advice immediately – before you discuss the matter with an insurance adjuster and before you sign anything.

The experienced Dallas personal injury attorneys at Kraft & Associates, P.C., are ready to help. We’re an established and professional law firm with friendly lawyers and staff who are easy to talk to. Call us at (214) 999-9999 or contact us online now for a free claim review and advice about your rights.

About Lacerations, Bruises and Road Rash

Road rash is a skin injury caused by abrasion with road surfaces, often as a result of motorcycle, bicycle or skating accidents. It can happen when a rider comes off a bicycle or motorcycle at high speed, causing burns or abrasions of the skin against the ground or pavement.

Severe road rash may require emergency medical treatment and hospitalization. The road to recovery from this type of injury can be long and painful, and medical treatment and expenses can be extensive. If your accident was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and physical and emotional pain and suffering, among other losses.

There are three basic types of road burn injuries sustained in motorcycle and other types of accidents:

• Avulsion injuries: “Avulsion” means tearing away. In the most common type of road rash, the skin is scraped away, exposing lower layers of fat, muscle and bone. This type of injury may require skin grafting, and it can cause scarring and disfigurement.

• Compression injuries: When a limb of the body gets caught between the bike and the road or any other two objects, serious crushing and bruising can occur, causing damage to the muscles and fractured bones.
• Scrapes or open wounds: When body parts are scraped against surfaces at high speeds, it can cause open wounds that require stitches and carry a high risk of infection. Skin grafting may be required in more serious cases.

Causes of Road Rash, Bruises and Lacerations

Bruises, lacerations and road rash can occur in any of the following types of traffic accidents:

• Motorcycle accidents: Motorcycle riders do not have air bags, seat belts or the frame of a passenger vehicle to contain them in traffic accidents. They are often thrown from the bike in a collision and suffer serious road rash, bruises and lacerations when their skin comes into contact with gravel, pavement or dirt.
• Bicycle crashes: Bicyclists are in the same position as motorcyclists – they have no restraints to contain them in a collision. They are often thrown off their bicycles from the impact of a crash.
• Car accidents: A passenger vehicle occupant who is thrown from the vehicle in a car accident may suffer road rash. Bruises and lacerations are also common in automobile accidents.
• Pedestrian accidents: Although road rash is most common in motorcycle and bicycle accidents, it can also happen to pedestrians who are struck by automobiles and thrown, skidding across pavement. Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable to bruising and lacerations in collisions with motor vehicles.
• Truck collisions: Passenger vehicle occupants involved in accidents with large trucks often suffer serious injuries because of the disproportionate weight and size of a loaded commercial truck. Among other injuries, they may be cut or bruised in the accident and could be thrown from the vehicle onto pavement, dirt or gravel and suffer serious road rash.

Legal Help for Victims of Road Rash Injury, Bruises and Lacerations 

If you or a loved one has suffered serious bruises, lacerations or road rash in an accident that was caused by the fault of someone else, it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The knowledgeable personal injury lawyers at Kraft & Associates, P.C., are ready to help you pursue the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries.

Sources:

• NHTSA: Quick Facts 2013
• Bike Radar: How to deal with road rash
• Medicine Net: Avulsion