Trenton NJ Motorcycle Accident Road Rash Lawyers
Motorcycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Mercer County, New Jersey
Road rash, or “road burn,” occurs when a motorcycle rider slides across the pavement after a motorcycle accident. It is common for motorcycle riders to be thrown from their bikes during an accident because motorcyclists are not secured by a seatbelt or safety restraint. When a motorcyclist is thrown from their bike, they often skid across the asphalt. This can lead to serious injuries, including severe lacerations and abrasions. A motorcyclist can also suffer road rash when they are dragged by their bikes. In fact, any kind of contact with the pavement, ground, or gravel can result in road rash injuries.
Cohen & Riechelson is a legal team that is committed to helping motorcycle accident injury victims in New Jersey get the compensation they deserve. We have more than 40 years of experience filing motorcycle accident injury claims throughout Mercer County, including Hamilton, Ewing, and West Windsor. Additionally, our litigation team includes a New Jersey Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Call CR today at (609) 528-2596 to discuss your motorcycle accident case and explore your legal options.
Motorcycle Road Rash Injuries in Mercer County NJ
The worst cases of road rash can lead to surface nerve damage or even deep tissue damage. Road rash can also cause permanent scarring.
The severity of a road injury varies, depending upon the force of impact with the roadway. Road rash injuries are classified similarly to burn injuries, with first degree road rash, second degree road rash, and third degree road rash:
- First Degree Road Rash: The motorcycle accident victim suffers from reddened skin. This kind of road rash injury typically does not require immediate medical treatment.
- Second Degree Road Rash: The motorcycle accident victim’s skin breaks. This creates a risk of scarring. However, the injury is not considered all that serious; it can usually be treated with over-the-counter skin creams and medications.
- Third Degree Road Rash: The motorcycle accident suffers complete breakage of the skin. This is the most serious form of road rash because the victim is at great risk of infection. In many cases, skin grafting is needed to treat third degree road rash.
Protective Gear to Prevent Road Rash Injuries in Hamilton NJ
Motorcyclists should consider wearing leather or denim clothing in order to protect against road rash. You should wear a leather jacket designed for motorcyclists; these types of jackets are often abrasion-resistant. Keep in mind that if your clothing or protective gear isn’t thick enough, the asphalt can scrape through your clothes and make direct contact with your skin.
Medical Treatment for Road Rash in Lawrence NJ
Minor Road Rash Injuries
If it isn’t serious, road rash can be treated at home. You will need some clean, 4 x 4 gauze bandages, medical tape, and antibiotic ointment. Before treating any wound, it is imperative that you wash your hands thoroughly or use rubber gloves. Clean the injured area gingerly with lukewarm water, removing dirt and debris from the wound. Apply the ointment to the affected area and cover it with a clean bandage, adhering the gauze to the injury with medical tape. You should change the bandage at least twice a day. Check the wound’s appearance. If there are areas of redness, oozing, swelling, or discoloration, those could be signs of infection. Other severe signs of infection are throbbing pain, fever, or chills. If you have any of those symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
Severe Road Rash Injuries
A road rash injury may require emergency medical treatment. If a road rash injury is not immediately treated by a doctor, it can lead to very serious infection. Extreme road rash can quickly become infected and cause nerve damage or traumatic tattoos. Treatment varies according to the type and degree of the road rash and can include intravenous fluids to prevent shock or administer other medications such as antibiotics. Antiseptic wound treatment, removal of dead tissue, and placement of antibiotics keep the wound free from infection.
Worse yet, the most severe road rash injuries can be extremely difficult to treat. In the worst cases, surgery might be necessary to ensure that the motorcycle accident victim does not suffer permanent damage. Skin grafts and reconstructive surgery might be needed to prevent scarring and disfigurement as a result of the most severe road rash injuries. This kind of treatment is incredibly expensive and painful.
Practical Tips to Stay Away From a Road Rash Accident
Having protective gear is of the utmost importance to protect yourself from road rash. Most people think a helmet is only for protecting the skull and brain, but it also protects your face from road rash. Leather or heavy-duty nylon for jackets and pants are essential. Protecting gloves will prevent your palms from peeling during a drag or skid.
If you are in a skid, try to contact the road with the areas where you have the most padding, such as your elbows, knees, and palms. Try to keep your head off of the road surface. Potholes and ridges can cause your head to bounce and could create brain and neck issues.
The best way to prevent road rash is to do everything you can to avoid an accident. Common sense actions such as making sure your motorcycle is in good working order, following the speed limit, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, and not driving while distracted or drowsy are all good ways to stay safe.
Seeking Compensation for Road Rash Incidents
Besides proving that the other driver was at fault, you must prove that you took precautions to protect yourself from getting hurt by wearing the necessary protective gear. Although arm and leg coverings are helpful, in some cases, they do not prevent you from having road rash injuries. A complex combination of factors can cause severe injury despite using riding gear. Speed, road conditions, and how the accident occurred can all contribute to injuries.
Two Types of Damages You Can Get for Road Rash Injuries
There are two kinds of damages your lawyer will seek in your motorcycle injury case. The first category is economic damages. These are damages that have a tangible monetary value. Medical bills, inpatient and outpatient treatment lost wages (now and in the future), and property damage. The second category is non-economic damages. These are intangible damages such as pain and suffering, temporary or permanent disability, and notable scarring.
Call for a Free Consultation with a Pennington NJ Motorcycle Road Rash Injury Attorney
The personal injury attorneys at Cohen & Riechelson will fight to get you compensated for your motorcycle accident injuries. Keep in mind that there are no upfront fees when we represent you; if we don’t secure a recovery for you, you don’t owe us a dime.
Our personal injury lawyers have a passion for providing you with excellent representation to obtain the best possible settlement for your injuries. We are trained to navigate a personal injury lawsuit’s complex procedures. We will interview witnesses, meet with experts, and talk with your doctor. Beyond that, our attorneys are stellar negotiators and know how to get the insurance company to offer you a fair settlement. Litigation costs them more than a solid settlement, and they do not want to go toe-to-toe with us in court.
Call us now to speak with a member of our litigation team at (609) 528-2596. We can also be reached by the online contact form to set up a consultation at our Hamilton office. We are ready to get you the settlement you deserve.
