December 7, 2020 | Motorcycle Accidents

With its open stretches of freeway and year-round mild and warm weather, Oklahoma is a great state for owning a motorcycle. Estimates from 2018 suggest that close to 130,000 residents own a motorcycle in Oklahoma. 

However, even though the state is motorcycle friendly, riding a motorcycle in Oklahoma or any other state for that matter does come with risks. Every year in Oklahoma, dozens of men and women are killed in motorcycle accidents. Data from 2018 revealed that 89 riders were killed in motorcycle accidents.

But death is hardly the only danger. Every year thousands more are injured. One of the most common injuries is road rash. Road rash occurs when a motorcyclist is thrown from their motorcycle and their skin is “burned” from the friction of rubbing against the road. This can happen whether on pavement or gravel.

While many cases of road rash are mild and can be treated at home, many cases can be quite severe and require in-patient treatment. The following are several key facts about road rash.

How Does Road Rash Happen?

When an uncovered area of the body comes into contact with a rough surface such as the road for a significant length of time and at a high speed it can cause road rash. What can make a case of road rash even more severe is when debris from the accident gets embedded in the affected area. 

This can include:

  • Glass
  • Gravel
  • Dirt
  • Rocks

What can also affect the severity of a case of road rash and how to treat it is whether or not the patient has other injuries. Broken bones are also common in tandem with road rash and can make treating both especially challenging.

How is Road Rash Treated?

The most severe cases of road rash are treated by trained medical professionals. However, the majority of cases are mild and treated at home. 

If you have road rash and are self-treating, be sure to:

  • Always thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water before treating the affected area.
  • Use soap and warm water to clean out the wound.
  • Use an antibiotic ointment such as Bacitracin.
  • Cover the wound with a sturdy bandage and make sure to change the bandage often as a way to prevent infection.

If your skin does become infected, do not hesitate to go to a doctor for treatment. Also, if your recovery is progressing more slowly than you think it should that might mean it is time to seek professional attention.

How Can Road Rash Be Prevented?

Obviously, it is better to prevent road rash altogether than to treat it effectively. There are two ways to prevent road rash and it is advised that you do both every time you ride. The first is to make sure you are riding safely and staying alert to both the conditions of the road and the flow of traffic.

Secondly, you should wear helmet, gloves, boots, long pants, and other clothing to make sure all of your skin is covered. That way, should an accident occur, it is less likely that you will have exposed skin. 

One final thing you may want to consider is the time of day. The vast majority of motorcycle accidents in the state occur at dusk. If you drive mainly during daytime hours, you are less likely to get in an accident.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation If You’ve Suffered Road Rash in Oklahoma City

If you are suffering from road rash, you should consider contacting a skilled motorcycle accident attorney. A qualified attorney will be able to investigate your case and help maximize your recovery. By communicating with the other parties involved, your lawyer will also reduce your stress and burden and help you to get the justice you deserve.

To learn more, call our law firm at (405) 513-5658 or just visit our contact us page to send us an email and we will get back to you.

Contact the Oklahoma City Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at McGuire Law Firm Today for Free Consultation

For more information, please contact the Oklahoma City motorcycle accident law firm of McGuire Law Firm at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve throughout Oklahoma and its surrounding areas:

McGuire Law Firm – Edmond
200 E 10th Street Plaza
Edmond, OK 73034
United States
(405) 513-5658