Motorcycle collisions have the potential to cause a variety of severe injuries. People break bones, injure their brains and develop extensive road rash. Riders are also at risk of degloving injuries.
Degloving injuries separate the skin or dermis from the tissue underneath. Medical professionals generally categorize degloving injuries into two main categories, each of which poses different challenges after a motorcycle crash.
Closed de-gloving injuries
In a closed degloving injury, friction and pressure caused the separation of the skin from the tissue below without actually rupturing or puncturing the skin. People may not notice the severity of their injuries initially due to the lack of obvious external symptoms. However, pain, discoloration, inflammation and functional limitations may eventually make it clear that a degloving injury has caused substantial tissue damage.
Open degloving injuries
When the degloving process tears the skin, people tend to notice the injury immediately. They may experience blood loss and even the loss of large sections of skin as a result. Open degloving injuries create their own set of medical challenges, including infection risk.
Degloving injuries can be very costly to treat and may not result in a complete medical recovery, especially when there is nerve damage. Motorcycle operators may need help addressing their medical expenses and lost wages after sustaining a degloving injury in a crash.
Reviewing insurance coverage and medical records with a skilled legal team can help motorcycle operators and their passengers understand the likely long-term impact of their injuries and hold dangerous drivers accountable. The massive medical expenses and potential permanent symptoms generated by degloving injuries often make personal injury litigation necessary after a motorcycle crash, as liability insurance may not fully cover a rider’s losses.
