Road Rash & Severe Abrasions
Abrasions cyclists suffer when they fall off their bike and slide along the ground‚ scraping off layers of skin‚ are commonly referred to as “road rash.” Other terms for this type of injury include “strawberry” and “road burn.” Road rash is the most common type of cycling accident injury‚ and while not fatal‚ can be extremely painful. Road rash can leave nerve endings exposed‚ and dirt and other material can be embedded in the skin‚ leaving it open to infection. In severe cases‚ road rash can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement‚ as well as permanent nerve damage.
If you’ve suffered road rash because of a careless driver‚ poor road conditions‚ a faulty bicycle part‚ or the negligence of any other party‚ you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. But‚ personal injury and product liability claims can be complicated‚ and insurance companies can’t be trusted. To get the compensation you deserve‚ you’ll need an experienced attorney fighting on your behalf. The San Diego bicycle accident lawyers at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers have a successful track record of representing cyclists‚ including a $40‚000 award for an Oceanside bicyclist who was hit by a car making a right turn. Call Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers at (888) 233-5020 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Degrees of Road Rash
Road rash is classified by degree‚ just as burn injuries are: first‚ second‚ and third–with third being the most severe.
First Degree: These are minor injuries‚ resulting in small scrapes‚ slight bleeding‚ bruising‚ redness‚ and tenderness.
Second Degree: This type of road rash results in heavier bleeding‚ swelling; exposed nerves‚ muscles‚ or tendons; road material‚ such as sand and gravel‚ may be embedded in the wound. This type of injury is painful to the touch and often causes scarring.
Third Degree: This painful‚ and most severe‚ type of road rash results in the scraping away of all five layers of skin‚ exposing fat‚ muscle‚ other soft tissue‚ and possibly bone. Road materials will be deeply embedded into the flesh‚ and bleeding will be heavy. Third-degree road rash almost always causes nerve damage‚ scarring‚ and disfigurement.
Compensation for Road Rash Injuries
If you’ve suffered severe road rash‚ you’re likely to rack up significant medical bills for infections‚ skin grafts‚ and reconstructive and plastic surgeries. In addition‚ you’ll experience a great deal of physical pain and emotional trauma. Treatment and recovery from road rash will also cause you to miss a significant amount of work‚ and your lifestyle may be permanently altered. If the event that caused your road rash wasn’t your fault‚ you deserve compensation from the liable party. However‚ recovering the compensation you deserve can be difficult‚ because insurance companies aren’t concerned with your well-being. Their lawyers will try to poke holes in your case so they can get away with the smallest payout possible. Many times‚ they will try to deny your claim altogether. Don’t let these large insurance corporations screw you. Fight back by retaining a knowledgeable and tenacious attorney who will stand up to their unscrupulous lawyers. The legal team at Jurewitz Law Group Injury & Accident Lawyers has been doing battle on behalf of cyclists for nearly two decades. Let them put their experience to work on your claim by calling (888) 233-5020 to schedule a free consultation.
