Road rash is a skin abrasion or scrape that typically results from dragging a body part across dirt or pavement. The severity of a road rash injury depends on how much skin peels away during the event.
Most often, major road rash cases occur during bicycle or motorcycle accidents.
Symptoms
In most cases, road rash is superficial and may heal within a few days. Common signs include:
- Red, raw and inflamed skin
- Warm sensation or pain in the affected area
- Bleeding or fluid draining
However, more severe abrasions can lead to infection or blood poisoning. Without treatment, victims are at risk of septic shock, a potentially life-threatening condition.
Treatment
If you recognize signs of road rash at the scene of a crash, remember that this condition is rarely life-threatening on its own. Be sure to assess any risk and triage the most severe injuries first. Immediate medical treatment is necessary if:
- The road rash is on the hands, feet, face or genitals
- The wound exposes muscle or bone
- There is debris such as gravel or glass embedded in the wound
If the accident is severe enough to cause road rash, there is likely to be other damage as well. Calling 911 or visiting the emergency room as soon as possible is necessary for addressing and documenting any accident-related injuries. The worst cases of road rash may need burn treatments such as reconstructive surgery or skin grafting, which can require long-term medical care.
If you suffer from a motorcycle crash-related injury as a result of another driver’s negligence, you deserve to heal without worrying about your medical bills or lost wages.