A motorcycle accident can lead to serious injuries or even death. The vulnerability that a motorcyclist has on a bike can result in severe, life-alerting injuries such as head trauma or motorcycle burn injuries in the event of a crash.
Although motorcycles have every legal right to share the road with other motor vehicles, not everyone respects the rights of motorcyclists. Some drivers will intentionally cut off a motorcycle, while other drivers fail to check for motorcycles before making turns or changing lanes.
These types of negligent acts can lead to a motorcycle accident. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Chicago, you should contact a Chicago injury lawyer who can help you determine liability and work to help you recover compensation for your accident injuries.
Overview of Motorcycle Burn Injuries
Motorcycle burn injuries are one of the more common types of injuries for a motorcyclist to experience. This is because a motorcyclist has no protective barrier between them and another vehicle or the open road. This makes the motorcyclist vulnerable to burns, particularly if the rider is not wearing protective clothing.
Some of the types of burns that a motorcycle accident victim may experience include:
- road rash/road burn;
- burns from spilled gas; and/or
- burns from mechanical fires.
Motorcycle Burn Injuries – Road Rash or Road BurnThe most common type of burn for a motorcyclist to experience is road burn, otherwise known as road rash. This occurs in a Chicago motorcycle accident when a motorcyclist has either been thrown from their bike or they are dragged.
Once the skin comes in contact with the ground, whether pavement or gravel, a motorcyclist will receive bruises and scrapes that are very painful. Even parts of the body that may have been covered can be afflicted with road rash.
Road rash is not a minor burn. It requires immediate medical attention and usually time spent in the hospital. These injuries often lead to permanent scarring, along with the potential to become infected.
Road rash isn’t akin to a scraped knee or something that can be easily addressed with a bandage. Road rash is a serious motorcycle accident injury and is associated with:
- Compression injuries – Usually occur when a motorcyclist’s arm or leg is caught between the motorcycle and road. This type of road rash causes bruising or crushing.
- Avulsion injuries – Layers of skin are scraped away in a more severe form of road rash. If fat and muscle are exposed, this is known as a full-thickness wound.
- Deep cuts and open wounds – Stitches are sometimes needed when there are open wounds. Road rash wounds that are opened are typically the result of a motorcycle accident occurring at high speed. Stitches will close the wounds. This type of injury is at risk of infection.
Motorcycle Burn Injuries – Burns from Spilled Gas
Because of the design of motorcycles, gas can end up spilling during a motorcycle accident. Burns of this nature can result in severe damage and require skin grafting. This can mean a lengthy hospital stay and huge medical bills. In this type of incident, a motorcycle accident victim may need to consult with a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer about options for pursuing compensation in an accident claim.
Motorcycle Burn Injuries – Burns from Mechanical Fires
Mechanical fires can occur as a result of a motorcycle accident. Burn injuries from heat and fire are classified as 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree. The most severe type of burn to receive is a 3rd degree burn.
Severe burns can affect nerves, bones, muscles and blood vessels. However the most common injury is to the skin.
Recovering From Motorcycle Burn Injuries
Motorcycle burn injuries of any sort can be extremely traumatic for the victim and result in life-altering medical complications. Medical treatment and therapy can be very costly. Recovery also requires a victim to lose time from work, resulting in lost wages.
All of the physical, financial and emotional challenges experienced as a result of motorcycle burn injuries can be devastating. This is where a personal injury lawyer can help.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago motorcycle accident, contact a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer who has experience with motorcycle crashes in Illinois and can help you determine liability. A motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to help you to get the compensation you deserve as a result of pain and suffering, lost wages and mounting medical bills.
Contacting a Chicago Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A motorcycle is usually no match for a larger vehicle. Therefore, most Chicago motorcycle accidents will result in the rider sustaining serious and sometimes fatal injuries. At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C, a Chicago motorcycle accident lawyer will examine all aspects of your accident, determine liability, and aggressively pursue the full amount of compensation due to you for any injuries or loss you may have suffered as a result of your motorcycle accident. Contact us today for a free case evaluation – 312-263-1080.
If you or a family member were involved in this accident please contact us immediately. Our experienced Illinois accident lawyers are happy to answer any legal questions you may have. This is a free, zero pressure service and you are not obligated to hire our law firm if you do contact us. If you would like this blog removed please contact us and we will promptly accommodate your request.
