Any driver can end up with a road rash if they are ejected from a vehicle, but this type of injury is most likely to occur when you are a motorcyclist. This type of injury should not be downplayed and you might be entitled to compensation.
Types of Road Rash Injuries
There are several ways in which road rash can occur. The most common type of road rash is when your body slides against the ground and your skin is torn off to expose muscle and bone. The road rash might create an open wound that would then need to be sewn together with stitches. You might also need a skin graft.
If you are trapped between two objects during the accident, you might experience a type of road rash that involves a compression injury. This can lead to broken bones and damage done to your muscles.
Liability for a Motorcycle Accident
Regardless of how injured you are after the motorcycle accident, you will only be entitled to compensation for your injuries if you can prove that another party was at fault for the accident. This can include:
- The manufacturer of your motorcycle if a defect lead to your accident
- A driver who was negligent
- The local government if the road conditions lead to the accident
The best way to prove that the other party is responsible for your accident is to work closely with an injury attorney. A legal professional will assist you in gathering the evidence necessary to prove that the other party is at fault.
Compensation for Your Road Rash Accident
In some cases, you might recover from a road rash simply with bed rest. However, you will always want to see a doctor after a road rash injury because your injuries can lead to infection and scarring.
After you have received treatment for your injuries, you will need to follow your doctor's orders. Not only will this ensure that you will recover fully, but you will also increase the chances that you will be compensated for your injuries.
To receive compensation, you must prove that you were actually injured and that your injuries are connected to the accident. For example, a pre-existing injury that was not affected by the accident is not compensatable, but you may receive compensation if a pre-existing injury was exacerbated by the road rash injury.
Pain and Suffering
A road rash can lead to excruciating pain. Therefore, you will need to speak to a personal injury lawyer about how you should document your pain and suffering so that you can maximize your compensation.