Fighting for Motorcyclists Suffering from Road Rash Injuries in New York City
New York is a beautiful state for riding a motorcycle, and when done safely, it is one of the most liberating experiences a person can have on the road. Unfortunately, other drivers often fail to display safe behavior around motorcyclists.
Road rash is one of the most common injuries someone can suffer in a motorcycle collision. While road rash is usually minor, there is a serious risk of infection with such injuries, and severe abrasions or degloving can require skin grafts.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, seek medical treatment to avoid infection and make sure your injuries heal properly. It is also important to hold reckless drivers accountable, and to seek compensation for your injuries and expenses caused by the wreck. Call Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, at (212) 986-7353 to discuss your situation with a top NYC motorcycle accident lawyer.
What Is Road Rash?
Road rash is an abrasion, which is an injury to the skin and underlying tissue caused by rubbing or scraping. Specifically, road rash refers to abrasions that are caused by violent contact between the skin and the road, asphalt, or similar surface. These are bad scrapes and are sometimes called “raspberries” or “strawberries” due to their appearance.
Road rash is particularly common for motorcyclists who do not wear enough protective clothing. These injuries are often seen in the spring and summer, as the weather warms up and people are more likely to wear short-sleeved shirts and short pants. Motorcyclists are strongly urged to wear full-length shirts and pants all year long to protect them in the event of a collision.
What Causes Road Rash?
Road rash is generally caused by contact with the road, as the road’s surface tears off layers of skin. Such injuries are usually the result of some kind of collision; but single-vehicle motorcycle accidents can cause road rash as well. While motorcyclists are the people most likely to experience road rash due to the high speeds at which they travel, bicyclists, pedestrians, and people ejected from vehicles during a collision can also suffer such injuries.
How Is Road Rash Treated?
Treatment for road rash will depend on the depth and width of the skin trauma. In general, it is always best to seek medical help with such injuries, especially with initial treatment. Road rash needs to be properly cleaned, to remove any dirt, grass, and gravel that might be imbedded in the skin from contact with the road. After initial treatment, most road rash can be treated at home by continuing to clean the area and change the dressing as instructed by a healthcare professional.
Serious road rash, on the other hand, can require skin grafts to replace skin that was removed in the crash. There is also a major risk of infection when dealing with road rash, and medical treatment should be sought as soon as signs of infection develop.
What Do I Do After a NYC Motorcycle Accident?
After a motorcycle accident in New York City, you should seek medical assistance for your road rash injuries to make sure they do not worsen. Do not agree to any settlement or insurance company payout without an experienced NYC motorcycle accident attorney to make sure your rights are protected. Call at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, at (212) 986-7353 to discuss what happened and explore your legal options.
Our Motorcycle Accident Case Results
$991,000 - Client Was Hit by Driver Exiting Driveway
Michael Fitzpatrick obtained a settlement for a 58-year-old man who was riding his motorcycle when he was struck by the defendant's vehicle exiting a driveway.
Michael Fitzpatrick
$300,000 - Motorcyclist Struck by Van
Cliff Shapiro obtained the full amount of an insurance policy in a $300,000.00 settlement for a 28 year old man who was operating a motorcycle when he was struck by a van.
Clifford Shapiro
$200,000 - Client Skidded on Rocks in Roadway
Kenneth J. Halperin represented a motorcycle driver in upstate New York who was ejected from his motorcycle when he ran over a patch of small rocks in a roadway, causing him to lose control of his bike.
Kenneth Halperin