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Motorcycle accidents can result in devastating injuries for the rider and his or her passenger. Due to the open nature of motorcycles, riders and passengers are not protected by any of the safety features that many automobiles offer. To be sure, Fort Myers personal injury attorney Randall Spivey has seen the catastrophic results of motorcycle accidents first-hand by way of the accident victims he represents. The injuries can range from minor to deadly, depending on the severity of the accident. But a common injury that is sustained by motorcycle accident victims is road rash.

Road Rash: What is it?

Whenever a motorcyclist is thrown from or dragged by a motorcycle and he or she has exposed skin that comes in contact with the roadway, gravel or whatever surface is involved in the accident, that skin might sustain severe injuries or "road rash." What road rash does is shred or peel away layers of the accident victim's skin, and sometimes those layers will be removed all the way down to the bone or muscle. As just about any Fort Myers personal injury attorney knows, road rash injuries can be very hard to treat and they often result in serious infections and extensive nerve damage for the victim.

There are varying degrees of road rash, much like burns. A first-degree road rash is one that involves the first level of the skin. Typically, there is redness and most victims do not require medical treatment for this level of rash as it usually heals on its own. Second-degree road rash generally breaks the first level of skin without affecting the layers of skin underneath. These types of rashes generally heal on their own as well without permanent damage and/or scarring. Third-degree road rash, however, is quite severe. The skin is usually almost totally gone such that the inner tissue can be seen with the naked eye. Normally, these types of injuries require costly skin grafting treatments.

The After Effects: Scarring, Disfigurement and Treatment

If a motorcyclist experiences road rash that is so severe that he or she is disfigured or sustains scarring, the victim's quality of life is often greatly altered. The treatment options for road rash vary and will depend primarily on the severity of the injury. There are a number of methods that can be used; however, those methods can be quite costly. Accordingly, accident victims are encouraged to work with skilled personal injury attorneys to ensure that they receive the compensation they deserve for their injuries.

Some accident victims might need reconstructive surgery and/or extensive rehabilitation if their road rash is serious. Additionally, depending on where the road rash is located on an individual's body, he or she might suffer self-esteem issues that might affect one's job and overall lifestyle. Motorcycle accidents only take a few seconds to happen, but the effects can be long-lasting.

If you or someone you love has sustained road rash after being involved in a motorcycle accident, contact Fort Myers personal injury attorney Randall Spivey at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. as soon as possible.