Recovering Damages for Motorcycle Road Rash
Since motorcyclists don’t wear safety belts or other restraints, a motorcycle accident can often result in severe injuries. If you were thrown off your bike and hit gravel or pavement, you may have suffered motorcycle road rash, which is a painful scrape or large bruise, often called road burn.
Don’t be fooled by mild-sounding name — road rash can be a serious injury and lead to other complications. Particularly bad cases could even require emergency care at the scene of an accident and treatment over a long period of time, or surgery if the trauma has extended to the bones and muscles.
At Russell & Lazarus APC, we know how to advocate on your behalf after a motorcycle accident so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries. We can also help you obtain fair compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other economic damages. Contact us today to learn more about how an Orange County motorcycle accident attorney can help.
Different Types of Road Rash
Motorcycle road rash can come in many different forms:
- Avulsion: Layers of skin are scraped away, exposing lower layers of fat, muscle, or bone.
- Open wound: This typically requires stitches, and in sever cases, skin grafts.
- Compression: This occurs when a part of your body gets crushed between objects (such as the motorcycle and the road). It may involve brushing, broken bones, or muscle damage.
Road rash often carries the risk of other medical complications, including infection, scars, and intense pain. If you have suffered road rash in a motorcycle accident, it’s important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Can I Collect Damages for Road Rash?
If your motorcycle accident was caused by the negligence of another driver, you may be eligible to recover damages. Damages could include repairs or replacement of your motorcycle, medical expenses for treatment, and compensation for pain and suffering associated with road rash or other injuries.
California has a comparative negligence system when it comes to determining fault. The court will review the details of an accident and look over any police reports or eyewitness accounts. They will then assign a percentage of fault to each party involved in the accident. Any damages will then be reduced by the percentage of fault before they are distributed.
Preventing Road Rash and Other Motorcycle Injuries
Wearing good protective clothing while riding a motorcycle is highly recommended to prevent road rash if you do get into an accident. Thick leather jackets, sturdy riding pants, motorcycle boots, gloves, and elbow pads will help to keep your skin safe.
All bikers and passengers in the state of California are also required by law to wear a proper motorcycle helmet. A helmet will protect your head and face from scrapes and bruises from concrete or dirt.
Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident
A motorcycle crash can be overwhelming. The most important step to take after a collision is to move out of the road so you are not struck by any other vehicles. You should then strive to receive medical attention for any injuries as fast as possible.
After receiving aid, strive to give as much information to police so your side of the story makes its way into the police report. This can be a big help to your case inside of a courtroom. If possible, try to collect the contact information of any witnesses to pass along to your attorney. Videos and photos of the crash site and your injuries goes a long way towards building a stronger case for post-accident compensation.
Learn More About Recovering Damages for Motorcycle Injuries in Orange County
At Russell & Lazarus APC, we understand how devastating a motorcycle accident can be. And we know that dealing with insurance companies while trying to heal your injuries can be a huge headache. Our Orange County motorcycle accident injury lawyer can help. To learn more about obtaining compensation for your injuries, contact us today.