subject: Prevention and Treatment of Road Rash Injuries by:Mark Dacanay [print this page] Road rash injuries refer to skin and bone injuries that are usually caused by abrasions with road surfaces.
Road rash injuries are normally associated with bicycle and motorcycle accidents. Since there is no structure that protects the motorcycle, the driver is more exposed compared to car motorists.
One bad move and the bicycle or motorcycle rider could be seen skidding across the rough road surface.
The main cause of road rash injuries is speeding. If a motorcycle or bicycle is moving in high speeds, the stronger and rougher their impact on the road is.
A driver who is moving in high speeds will also be thrown off the vehicle at high speed which creates greater friction between him and the road upon impact.
This increases the damage to the driver's skin and bones.
Prevention
Here are some tips on how to prevent road rash injuries:
Learn proper bike handling skills to avoid being involved in a road accident.
Avoiding accidents is the first step in avoiding any injuries.
Be a responsible driver by obeying all traffic rules and drive within a manageable speed. Remember that the higher the speed, the greater the damage in case of accident.
Last, bicycle and motorcycle drivers should wear protective clothing. Although it will not completely protect the driver, it will lessen the damage brought to the skin.
Here is a list of protective clothing a motorcyclist can wear:
o Jacket - One of the most important protective clothing; it protects the arms, chest, back and midsection. The best choice would be a leather motorcycle jacket as leather is much more durable than other materials.
o Gloves - Aside from protecting the hands, it also helps the driver get a better grip on the motorcycle's handlebars that in turn provides more control in case of emergency.
o Chaps - This protects the driver's legs not only from road rash but also from debris and the engine between his/her legs.
Treatment
Treatment of road rash injuries depends on the degree of damage caused by the accident.
Like a burn injury, there are three degrees of damage associated to road rash injuries.
A first degree road rash injury only affects the first layer of the skin. The skin may look red and sore but there is little damage to the skin. First aid should be sufficient in treating this type of road rash injury.
A second degree road rash injury breaks the first layer of skin but does not damage the other layers of the skin. The doctor may need to trim or cut excess skin, or stitch a cut; but otherwise, the skin should heal itself in time.
Third degree road rash injuries are the most dangerous as all layers of skin are damaged and some fat and tissues are exposed. This would require immediate medical attention and may require a skin graft as the skin is not able to heal by itself.
If you have sustained a road rash injury because of the negligence of another person, you should consult a bicycle or motorcycle accident attorney to help you with your legal options.
About the author
To pursue claims road rash injury caused by vehicle accident, consult with our skilled personal injury lawyers. Visit our website at http://www.losangelespersonalinjurylawyers.com/ and avail of our free case evaluation.
