Motorcycle riders across New Hampshire enjoy some of the most scenic roads in New England, from the White Mountains’ winding highways to the coastal routes along Portsmouth and Rye. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents remain a serious concern throughout the state. Among the most painful injuries riders suffer after a crash is road rash.
The term “rash” may make this condition sound relatively minor, but these injuries can become serious very quickly. Motorcyclists should understand the different types and degrees of road rash injuries and recognize when they need immediate medical attention or even legal guidance after an accident.
If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident in New Hampshire and you’re suffering from road rash or other injuries, we can help you fight for full and fair compensation. We help clients throughout New Hampshire, from Laconia to Nashua. Call us today at 888-332-5855 or schedule a free online consultation.
What Is Road Rash?
Road rash occurs when a motorcyclist’s skin scrapes against pavement for an extended period after being thrown from a bike. Friction from contact with asphalt, gravel, or concrete tears away layers of skin and underlying tissue.
Even experienced riders wearing protective gear can suffer road rash. Clothing can rip during impact, or exposed areas of skin can come into contact with the roadway, tearing away skin and flesh. In New Hampshire, where rural highways, uneven pavement, and winding roads can increase the severity of motorcycle crashes, road rash injuries are particularly common.
Several factors influence how serious a road rash injury becomes, including:
- The rider’s speed at the time of the accident
- The distance the rider slides across the road
- Whether the rider was wearing protective gear
- The type of roadway surface involved
- The amount of debris present on the road.
Road rash most frequently affects the arms, legs, shoulders, back, and hips because those areas often absorb the first impact after a crash.
The Different Degrees of Road Rash Injuries
Medical professionals generally classify road rash injuries into three categories based on how deeply the skin and tissue have been damaged.
First-Degree Road Rash. This is the most minor form of road rash. It affects only the outer layer of skin and usually causes redness, irritation, mild swelling, and minor bleeding. Although it is the least severe form of road rash, it’s still important that you seek proper treatment to prevent infection.
Second-Degree Road Rash. Second-degree road rash causes damage to deeper layers of skin. These injuries typically involve open wounds, significant bleeding, swelling, and visible tissue damage, and are much more painful. Medical treatment is usually necessary to clean the wound and reduce the risk of infection. Scarring is common.
Third-Degree Road Rash. Third-degree road rash is the most severe form as it can expose muscle, fat, tendons, and bone. You may suffer nerve damage, chronic pain, limited mobility, permanent scarring, and more. These injuries often require skin grafts and extensive rehabilitation–often piling concerns about medical expenses on top of recovery worries.
Complications Associated With Road Rash
It’s not uncommon for riders to sometimes underestimate road rash injuries. Abrasions appear less dramatic than broken bones or head injuries, and adrenaline can also mask the true severity of the injuries. You might believe you’ve suffered only minor injury when deeper tissue damage has actually occurred.
Failing to get road rash treated promptly can lead to serious complications. Dirt, chemicals, oil residue, and sharp debris from the road can become embedded in wounds during a crash. If not treated promptly, bacteria can spread and cause dangerous infections, leading to a range of serious complications, including sepsis.
Other complications may include:
- Embedded gravel beneath the skin
- Extensive scar tissue
- Skin discoloration
- Limited joint movement
- Nerve sensitivity
- Psychological trauma after the accident
Seeking immediate medical care allows doctors to properly clean wounds, evaluate tissue damage, reduce infection risks, and document injuries connected to the crash. Medical records can also become important evidence if the injured rider later pursues a personal injury claim.
Depending on the degree of road rash, typical treatment includes:
- Wound cleaning
- Antibiotics
- Pain management
- Specialized dressings
- Skin graft surgery
- Physical therapy
How New Hampshire Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You
When a careless driver causes a motorcycle accident, injured riders may have the right to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and permanent scarring.
Insurance companies often seek to minimize road rash injuries despite their long-term physical and emotional impact. For that reason, many injured riders benefit from speaking with an experienced New Hampshire personal injury attorney before accepting a settlement offer.
The experienced personal injury lawyers at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. can help investigate the crash, preserve evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue compensation that reflects the true extent of your injuries and recovery needs.
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, call us today. We represent clients throughout the state, including Manchester, Derry, Goffstown, and beyond. Contact us today at 888-332-5855 or online for your free evaluation.
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