West Virginia personal injury accidents happen every day across the entire state. Being involved in a West Virginia motorcycle accident can be a devastating and desperate time, especially if you have been seriously injured and you are unsure of where to turn. In all of 2016, 26 victims lost their lives in these accidents and thousands received injuries. Among some of the most serious injuries is road rash, which impacts a large percentage of riders injured in these accidents every year.
What is Road Rash in a West Virginia Motorcycle Accident?
Road rash injuries are known as the most common types of skin abrasions that take place in an accident and are quite serious, as they happen when the skin has been scraped off in that area. Road rash is also one of the reasons why many motorcyclists can be seen in protective gear, as they are trying to shield their skin from these dangerous and painful injuries.
When a victim receives a road rash-related injury, the area that has been affected by the accident tends to be quite painful and heals in a couple of weeks with treatment that can be completed at home. In other cases, road rash is extremely severe and can lead to more complicated effects, such as permanent nerve damage in that specific area. This is why it is imperative for a rider to seek immediate medical treatment following a motorcycle accident. You might not realize how serious your injuries are until serious harm has taken place.
Open wounds occur for many reasons: when a bone breaks through the skin, a sharp object penetrates the skin, or, most commonly in the event of a motorcycle accident, when a rider is dragged across the roadway. Road rash is not always a complicated symptom, but in some cases, it can be.
The Complications Open Wounds Can Cause After a Motorcycle Accident
Dangerous complications can result from open wounds caused by a motorcycle accident. Here are a few of the most life-threatening and painful in nature:
Bleeding: In some cases, you could very easily experience excessive bleeding due to a severe motorcycle collision. If the bleeding will not stop, this could lead to severe complications. These risks are immediate and require emergency medical treatment.
Nerve Damage: Road rash can easily cause nerves to become exposed, which leads to nerve damage. This can be long-lasting or even permanent in nature, causing a huge impact on many aspects of your life.
Infections: Infections are one of the most severe risks that come with open wounds caused by motorcycle accidents. Infections can last a long time after a wound is completely healed and can even be life-threatening, especially when the victim does not understand how severe their injury is. Some of the first symptoms of a serious infection include fever, foul smell, or discharge from the wound site. Infection risks are one of the biggest reasons why you should never go without care after an accident.
Help with Your Motorcycle Accident Case in West Virginia
Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable parties who can suffer immediate harm in an accident in the blink of an eye. Being injured in a motorcycle accident in West Virginia can be a disheartening and stressful experience, especially if you have sustained severe personal injuries as a result. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Bucknerunderstand the pain you are feeling after an accident and are here for you in your time of need. Please reach out to us at (304) 713-2014 to find out how we can assist you.