Road Rash Injury Attorney in Austin
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Road rash can be an extremely painful injury. It happens when a person makes direct contact with the road. The most vulnerable to road rash are motorcyclists, bicyclists, and skateboarders although it can happen in many other sporting activities. In fact, road rash injuries are a common occurrence in sporting activities, biking and motorcycling. Often referred to as an abrasion, road rash is caused by falling or sliding on the ground causing layers of skin to rub off. Road rash has the potential to be very painful due to the exposure of nerve endings, but most abrasions are shallow scrapes that don’t damage the underlying dermis or cause a lot of bleeding. Mild scrapes to the skin happen in minor accidents, but deep lacerations can occur in high speed crashes or when the victim has not properly been protected by safety equipment. A severe road rash can be very painful and can restrict movement for weeks or months, and may leave prominent scarring after the wound heals.
Degree of Injury
Road rash can be separated into three degrees of severity.
- First Degree: the skin is red and raw from the injury, but it is easily treated at home by cleaning the wound with soap and water or a mild antiseptic such as peroxide. It is important to make sure that all dirt or debris is removed; bandaging is optional.
- Second Degree: there is more damage to the area along with bleeding, a decrease in mobility, and a good deal of discomfort. Again, treatment can be done at home and includes cleaning the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and making sure it is free of dirt and debris. Applying an ointment and wrapping the injury to keep it clean and reduce scabbing is recommended.
- Third Degree: underlying tissue or bone is visible or there are deep cuts. The injury is painful and the bleeding doesn’t stop within a reasonable amount of time. Seeking medical treatment is recommended. The physician will clean and abrade the wound, and may apply stitches if necessary. If you have not had a tetanus shot within the past 10 years, one will likely be prescribed since tetanus is an often fatal, acute infectious disease that is commonly referred to as lockjaw. Lockjaw is characterized by the spasmodic contraction of the voluntary muscles, especially the muscles in the neck and jaw.
After the initial treatment, the dressing should be changed every day as it is important to keep the wound clean and moist until it has healed. A clean, protected wound will promote healing, improve tissue formation and minimize scarring.
Prevention
An ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure. Thus, the best prevention is wearing protective equipment when participating in sporting activities, bicycling or riding a motorcycle. A reduction in injuries can be achieved by wearing personal protective equipment such as pads, safety glasses, helmets, clothing and boots that provide abrasion resistance along with clothing that provides extra padding for impact protection.
