Road rash occurs when the skin rubs against a hard or smooth surface, often during accidents like falls from bicycles or motorcycles. It’s called “road” rash” because this surface is often the road itself, which is very abrasive and can cause painful injuries when a person slides across it with substantial force.
Treatment Options for Road Rash Injuries
Road rash can affect any part of the body, but it commonly occurs on the knees, elbows, forearms, and hands, particularly over bony areas. This injury is not just painful but can also cover a large area of the body, which can pose risks of infection and scarring if not properly treated. It typically heals within a couple of weeks following the accident.
Treatment often involves several steps:
- Daily Wound Care: You will need to take steps each day to ensure that the wound is clean and dry. This often involves gently cleaning the wound with antibacterial soap, applying antibiotic ointment, and dressing the wound in gauze. This care is crucial to prevent infection and promote healing.
- Pain Management: Road rash injuries are often very painful. As a result, your doctor might prescribe pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. It’s important to take these medications according to your doctor’s directions, especially before wound cleaning to ease discomfort.
- Care of Healed Skin: Once the road rash wound heals, the skin may appear dull pink or red and may be dry. During this time, it’s essential to keep the new skin moisturized to prevent dryness and cracking.
During this time, it is important to watch for signs of infection, such as increased redness, swelling, or foul-smelling drainage. If you notice these symptoms, or if the wound hasn’t healed after two to three weeks, seek medical attention right away.
The Potential Impacts of Road Rash
While road rash is often a superficial skin injury that heals on its own, it can be more severe, especially when it occurs in a traumatic incident like a car crash.
In these cases, deeper layers of skin are affected, potentially requiring intensive medical treatment and surgical intervention. Scarring may also occur, especially in more severe cases, which can have a significant impact on the victim’s mental well-being.
What to Do If You Suffer Road Rash in an Accident
Experiencing road rash in an accident can be unsettling, but it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your legal rights. In the aftermath, make sure to do the following:
- Go to the Doctor: Seek medical attention to ensure proper care and documentation of your injuries. Your medical records will serve as valuable pieces of evidence if you pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit in the future.
- Report the Accident to Law Enforcement: Official documentation of the accident is essential. After the collision, call 911 and report the accident to the responding police officers.
- Gather Evidence, If Possible: If you’re able, collect as much evidence at the scene as you can. This might include photos of the accident site and your injuries.
- Get the Other Parties’ Information: Exchange information with any other parties involved in the collision. Make sure to gather their license, insurance, and contact details.
Once you have received medical care, contact a Milwaukee truck accident lawyer right away. An attorney at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. can guide you through the process of any legal claims and ensure that your rights are protected. Before speaking with any insurance representatives, contact a lawyer to discuss your case and plan your path forward.