Know what to do in worst-case scenarios.Consider wearing a full-face helmet, which offers better face and head protection than half-face ones.Make sure to complement your jacket and boots with plastic armor, as these offer greater impact protection and abrasion resistance compared to fabric and latex.

Unlike passenger vehicles with enclosed compartments, the only thing that shields you from the road is your protective gear.

Whether protective gear was used or not.

The type and hardness of the contact surface.

The speed at which the skin makes contact with the road surface.

The initial velocity at the time of the accident.

The degree of road rash can be influenced by: Road rash is primarily caused by contact with the road, because of a slide or fall. Third-degree cases require skin grafts or reconstructive surgery. Such wounds reach into the layers of fat and muscle. Third-degree road rash is when the dermis or second layer of skin gets exposed. Because the wound is deeper, there is a greater chance of wound infection that could cause complications. Second-degree road rash is when the epidermis is torn, causing a laceration. It commonly results in temporary scars that heal over time. In addition to these two types, road rash injuries can be organized by the degree or severity of the injury.įirst-degree road rash affects only the top skin layer and includes scrapes, scratches, and “raspberries”. The midsection and limbs face the greatest risk of compression injury. Minor cases may be superficial lacerations, while serious cases can result in the underlying muscle or bone being exposed.Ĭompression road rash – This is when parts of the body get crushed between two objects. In legal terms, there are two distinct types of road rash:Īvulsion road rash – This is when the skin surface is stripped away. Road rash injuries are more common among cyclists, bikers, and ATV riders, where the lack of an enclosed compartment and safety restraints can lead to falls and road contact. Road rash occurs when the skin suffers damage due to mechanical friction against a harsh surface, such as asphalt, metal, or concrete. In worst-case scenarios, road rash can lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement. For motorcycle riders, however, a road rash injury caused by a motorcycle accident can cover a wide range of injuries, from minor cuts all the way to gaping wounds and torn flesh. For the average person, road rash sounds like a minor injury - a few scrapes on the skin.

Road rash face