A lot of motorcycle accident victims come to our Long Island personal injury law office, and one of the most common injuries we see is road rash. Road rash, a term used to describe severe skin wounds, often results after a motorcyclist has taken a fall off of his or her bike while moving at high speeds. The biker’s body typically skids across the ground–often for very far distances–resulting in road rash, a skin condition that nearly mirrors the type of damages that come along with third degree burns. Road rash is such a severe injury, that it sometimes takes years to heal, and in some cases, even requires surgical procedures such as skin grafting.
The good news is that there are ways to help prevent or minimalizie the damage. Here are some safety tips that can help keep all bikers safer:
1) Wear a Helmet. In New York, the law states that motorcycle riders are required to wear helmets. In addition, if you are to sustain an accident, wearing a helmet can significantly reduce your risk of severe injury or death.
2) Dress Properly. What you are wearing during an accident can make a big difference. If you have on long pants and long sleeves, your skin will be less exposed if your body happens to skid across the ground. Also, the thicker and tougher your clothing, the better. Leather is recommended, as this thick material can help prevent road rash.
3) Be Alert. Remember that motorcycles are more sensitive to slight changes in road conditions and the weather. Keep this in mind while riding. Being careful can help keep you on your bike and off of the ground.
Road rash and other motorcycle accident related injuries can be extremely painful, costly, and both physically and emotionally damaging. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to obtain compensation for some or all of your accident related expenses and damages. Our New York and Long Island motorcycle accident lawyers can help you to obtain monetary compensation for your injuries. Please contact our New York or Long Island offices for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll sit down with you and answer all your questions, discuss your case and let you know what you can expect from the legal process.
Goldstein and Bashner
