The three degrees of motorcycle road rash injuries range from superficial abrasions you can treat yourself to deeper damage injuries that may need medical intervention to severe wounds that require hospitalization and possibly surgery.
Understanding the different types of road rash injuries is important for motorcycle riders. You don’t ever want to dump your bike, but it can happen. If it does, you need to recognize the seriousness of your injuries and know when to seek medical attention.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, a Davie motorcycle accident lawyer can help. We’ve been advocating for injured victims since 1989. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and tell us what happened.
What Is Road Rash?
Road rash is an abrasion injury that occurs when skin comes into contact with a rough surface, such as asphalt or concrete. Many motorcycle riders, bicyclists, and skateboarders have experienced this after crashes, and even minor falls can result in a nasty case of road rash.
Road rash usually damages only the outer layers of the skin. However, severe cases, like the kind you could sustain in a motorcycle accident, can require long-term medical intervention, skin grafts, or surgery.
Medical experts categorize road rash injuries into three degrees based on the depth and severity of the damage. Each has a distinct level of treatment and recovery period. Knowing these can help you understand when treatment is necessary. When uncertain, it is best to seek medical care.
First-Degree Road Rash
First-degree road rash involves damage to the outermost layers of the skin, called the epidermis, and is the least severe of the three types. It appears as minor scrapes and scratches with redness and irritation to the skin. It can be painful, but recovery typically only takes a few days.
Treatment involves cleaning the damaged skin and treating it with an antibiotic ointment to reduce the possibility of infection. A light bandage can prevent dirt and debris from getting into the wound. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help reduce discomfort as the wound heals.
Most people have experienced first-degree road rash at some point in their lives, especially as children. It is unpleasant but easy to manage.
Second-Degree Road Rash
Second-degree motorcycle road rash injuries involve deeper damage to the skin than first-degree road rash; it is a much more serious wound. It appears as a large, open abrasion or areas of raw, red skin, and there may be swelling and bleeding.
Second-degree road rash is damage to the epidermis and lower dermal layers of the skin. It is a deeper wound and takes longer to heal than a first-degree road rash.
Many cases of second-degree road rash can be treated at home with cleaning, antibiotics, and fresh bandages. However, if the injury is large, bleeding excessively, or appears to be infected, seek medical attention. Second-degree road rash can take several weeks to heal.
Third-Degree Road Rash
Third-degree road rash is the most severe classification of abrasion injury a motorcycle rider may experience. It involves extensive damage to all layers of the skin and potentially underlying tissues such as muscles, tendons, nerves, and bones.
This type of injury is incredibly painful and requires immediate medical attention. Treatment involves frequent cleaning and debriding of the wound as it heals, most likely under the care of a hospital.
In some cases, third-degree road rash requires surgery or skin grafts to promote healing. It can result in scarring and deformities. If the damage extends to nerves, third-degree road rash could even lead to permanent disability.
How to Prevent Road Rash
While no action aside from staying at home will protect you from the possibility of a motorcycle accident, there are some things you can do to reduce the chances of road rash. Much of it comes down to using the right safety equipment, such as:
- Helmet with a faceguard: We usually think of helmets as protecting against blows to the head, but they can also prevent your cranium from grinding the asphalt in a crash.
- Protective clothing: Leather jackets look cool, but they also offer excellent protection. Shirts, jackets, and pants designed specifically for motorcyclist safety are also available.
- Gloves and Boots: Rugged gloves and boots that cover your ankles can protect leaner areas of your body and prevent major damage.
If possible, it is smart to carry a small first aid kit to treat minor road rash immediately after an accident. For serious cases, you’ll want to call emergency medical services so you can get care as soon as possible.
Learn More About Motorcycle Accident Recovery
Like anything worth doing in life, riding a motorcycle can be challenging and even a little dangerous. Preparation is important, and when you know about the three degrees of motorcycle road rash injuries, you don’t have to guess whether you should seek medical treatment.
Of course, the best solution is to avoid letting your bike—and your body—hit the pavement to begin with. But no matter how careful you are, there are plenty of dangers out on the road. If you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you need an attorney who understands.
At Winston Law Firm, attorney Bradley Winston is a biker himself and a founding member of the American Council of Motorcycle Attorneys. Check out his free e-books, The Florida Motorcycle Accident Bible and Five Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim. Or call today for a free consultation.
