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Road rash may not be as minor as you think

On Behalf of | Jul 21, 2022 | Personal Injury

If you ride a bicycle, motorcycle or ATV, you undoubtedly understand the importance of wearing a full complement of protective gear. After all, falling from any of these vehicles may cause you to suffer a catastrophic brain injury. If you do not cover your skin, you also may sustain road rash in an accident.

According to Healthline Media, road rash is typically a superficial injury that happens when your skin rubs against the road. Even though the condition is almost always excruciatingly painful, you are likely to recover from it eventually. Still, in some cases, road rash can lead to life-threatening complications.

Blood infections

Your skin, which is your body’s largest organ, has three layers: epidermis, dermis and subcutis. Third-degree road rash may damage all of these layers. If so, you may be vulnerable to blood infections. These happen when germs work their way into your bloodstream. While antibiotics are often effective at treating blood infections, a serious infection may land you in the hospital for an extended stay.

Sepsis

If your blood infection becomes pervasive, you are at risk of developing sepsis. Sepsis happens when your body reacts to an infection. If you do not receive immediate medical treatment, sepsis can cause long-term damage to tissues and organs. It also can lead to septic shock, which occurs when your organs stop working.

To avoid the potentially catastrophic complications that can come with road rash, it is critical to go to the emergency room for a full evaluation after a cycling accident. Ultimately, you may be eligible for significant financial compensation to help you defray the costs of obtaining the medical treatment you need.