After any bicycle accident, the best-case scenario is that the rider’s injuries can be healed entirely with proper medical treatments and won’t have any long-term lifelong effects. Unfortunately, some injuries, like road rash, can be much more complicated to repair.
Road rash occurs when a cyclist’s skin rubs on a harsh material, such as asphalt or concrete, and removes several layers of the skin. Typically, this injury is the result of a bicycle rider being thrown off their bike or dragged across the pavement.
Riders of any kind, including bicyclists and motorcycle riders, have a far greater chance of sustaining road rash injuries in the event of a crash compared to vehicle occupants because there is nothing to keep them from being through off their bikes.
Treating Road Rash
In minor cases, road rash may remove only the top layers of skin, leaving the area reddened with slight bleeding. Even for minor cases of road rash, it’s recommended to seek medical treatment to ensure the area does not get infected and is properly bandaged. At the very least, riders should treat minor road rash themselves by keeping the area dry and clean.
In more serious cases, however, the skin can be damaged far below the surface and lead to damage to the nerves, muscles, and tendons. Wounds that cover a greater surface area of the skin also have an increased risk of infection. Injury victims with road rash to this degree may require:
An emergency room visit to remove grit, rocks, and debris
Follow-up care
Surgical intervention
Antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection
Plastic surgery to reduce the look of scarring
Skin grafts to promote healing
Long-Term Effects and Care
Dealing with road rash can seem much easier than broken bones or a traumatic brain injury. However, significant treatment may be required so that the rider makes a full recovery. In some instances, even skin grafts and plastic surgery may not be enough to fully heal the affected area and the rider may be left with permanent scarring and disfigurement.
This can lead to a tightening of the skin, limited mobility of the joints, and other physical impairments that prevent the person from fully resuming their daily activities. Ultimately, the person may experience a diminished quality of life due to the effects of road rash.
If you've suffered from scarring or disfigurement after a bicycle accident, our firm is here to help hold responsible parties accountable. While no amount of money can negate the experiences you have been through and the long-term impacts of your injuries, you deserve to be properly compensated for your suffering. Get a caring, dedicated legal team on your side who will fight for your physical and emotional recovery.
Contact Fowler Helsel Vogt at (559) 900-1280 to speak with our Fresno bicycle accident attorneys for free today.