The injuries that result from a motorcycle accident can be more deadly and severe than other kinds of motor vehicle accidents. This is because motorcyclists, while they may be wearing a helmet, do not have much protection from impact after an accident like drivers and passengers do in cars and trucks, for example. 

And while there are many kinds of injuries a motorcyclist can sustain; the most common ones tend to be burns and road rash from a motorcycle accident. 

If you are involved in an Indianapolis motorcycle accident and need help filing a claim to get compensation for your injuries and other damages, the personal injury attorneys at Poynter & Bucheri can help. We know how traumatic a motorcycle accident can be and are dedicated to helping injured clients get the full and fair settlement they deserve. 

Types of Burn Injuries and Road Rash You Can Sustain After a Motorcycle Accident

Road rash is one of the most common injuries seen in motorcycle accident victims because their body, and specifically their skin, is more exposed. Road rash from a motorcycle accident occurs when the rider’s body drags or scrapes against the ground after being trapped under their bike or when they are thrown from their bike. 

There are three classifications of road rash injuries that can occur in these situations:

• First-degree: Road rash at this level occurs when there is no significant break in the skin, but there is still some inflammation, minor scratches, and bruising. 
• Second-degree: A road rash injury of this level will have skin that is broken up, but the wound does not go beyond the first layer of skin. 
• Third-degree: This level of road rash is the most severe and quite painful. The skin will be scraped or torn away, exposing deeper layers of the skin, and may even leave nerves, bones, tendons, muscle, and fat exposed. 

Burns are also common in motorcycle accidents, in addition to road rash injuries. Common motorcycle burn injuries include:

• Thermal burns:  If a motorcycle accident is severe enough, it can result in a fire or explosion, which can cause the rider to be injured by the heat and flames. 
• Chemical burns: If the skin of the rider comes in contact with certain chemical substances, such as gasoline or battery acid, they could sustain a chemical burn. 
• Engine and exhaust pipe burns: The metal parts of a motorcycle, like the engine and exhaust pipe, can get extremely hot when riding. If the rider gets trapped under the bike in an accident, these hot metal areas, which can reach up to 230 degrees, can burn the skin. 

Motorcycle Accident Road Rash Treatment 

Depending on the degree and severity of the road rash sustained in an accident, appropriate treatment varies. Some of the common treatments include:

• First degree: Cover the burn with an antibiotic salve or petroleum jelly and wrap it with a clean dressing. Change the dressing daily and monitor for signs of infection.

• Second degree: Visit a doctor to have the burn dressed. Prescription pain medications or antibiotics may be given for comfort and to prevent infection.

• Third degree: These injuries can be fatal if left untreated. Victims suffering from this degree of burn should visit the ER immediately. Surgery may be required to treat the injuries.

Long-Term Effects of Motorcycle Burn Injuries and Road Rash

If a road rash or burn is minor and only covers a small portion of the skin, the injured victim could heal more easily with the right treatment and care. However, more severe or infected road rash and burns can leave the victim badly injured, which can result in impairments, deformities, and severe scarring. 

Dealing with a severe road rash or burn injury also requires expensive treatment and potentially long-term care. This means that it could become a financial burden. Even minor injuries can be expensive to treat if you don’t have good insurance. 

This is why it’s important to file a personal injury claim and work with an attorney who can ensure you get a larger compensation amount for your settlement. 

How Much Compensation Can You Get for Motorcycle Accident Burn and Road Rash Injuries in Indiana?

As mentioned above, road rash injuries and burns can result in costly medical treatments, and can even permanently alter your life if they leave you impaired and disfigured. As such, you deserve a fair settlement to help you pay for the cost of treatment and to compensate you for your pain and suffering. 

However, there is no way to initially determine how much compensation you can get for these types of injuries as each case is unique. Numerous factors can affect your claim and how much money you are ultimately awarded. 

These factors can include:

• Cost of medical expenses
• Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
• Property damages
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Who was at fault for the accident, and what their insurance limits are

Again, this is why injured victims need to work with an attorney. You need to be able to provide as much evidence as possible to show how your life is affected by the factors listed above. You also need professional representation that knows how to work with difficult insurance companies that may try to offer you a reduced settlement amount.  

Consult With an Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorney 

If you suffered road rash from a motorcycle accident in Indiana and need help filing your claim and getting a fair settlement, the team at Poynter & Bucheri can assist you. We understand how stressful and overwhelming dealing with a motorcycle injury claim can be on top of dealing with your medical treatments and your pain & suffering. Let us help you navigate your claim and take care of the hard work so you can rest and focus on moving on with your life as comfortably as possible. 

Don’t hesitate — an experienced road rash and burn injury lawyer can assist you right away. Call 1-800-265-9881 for a free case review.