As you ride along on your motorcycle, keep in mind that other vehicles on the road may not be on the alert for motorcycles and may not see you. Unfortunately, drivers in passenger vehicles cause a large number of motorcycle accidents on San Vicente Boulevard, the Santa Monica Freeway, and elsewhere in the area.
One injury that commonly results from a motorcycle crash is road rash—an abrasion that occurs when your skin is rubbed against a hard surface such as concrete. The term road rash is common, but you may not realize that there are different degrees of this injury.
First – A first-degree road rash injury is the least severe of the three—it typically resembles severe sunburn. Although the surface of the skin is not broken, it will look red and irritated. Treatment is usually unnecessary.
Second – With a second-degree road rash injury, the skin is broken and bleeding—the first and second layers of the skin are damaged, but the deeper skin layers are still intact. Many times, second-degree road rash can be treated using at-home methods.
Third – Third-degree road rash injuries are the most severe—all of the layers of the skin are gone and you will be able to see the tissue and fat layers that lie beneath the skin. When third-degree road rash is present, accident victims must seek medical treatment to prevent dangerous infection and to promote proper healing.
A serious motorcycle accident can cause third-degree road rash in addition to a host of other severe injuries including head injury, paralysis, limb amputation, and broken bones. If you have been hurt in a crash caused by a negligent motorist, you deserve compensation for the damage to your bike, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Fill out the contact form on this page to get in touch with one of our compassionate and experienced attorneys. We are standing by to help you.