Representing Motorcyclist After Traumatic Injuries
Despite advancements in motorcycle design, helmets and clothing, motorcyclists are one of the most at-risk groups on Seattle roadways. In many motorcycle accidents, riders are left with catastrophic injuries through no fault of their own. One of the most devastating is a conditioned called “degloving” which occurs when the skin of a limb is pulled away from the muscles, skeleton and tendons. It is extremely painful and requires immediate medical attention. Even if treated immediately, the rider may require multiple surgeries, therapy and skin grafts, all because a driver acted negligently.
If you suffered a degloving injury in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, contact a Seattle motorcycle injury attorney. The legal team at Pendergast Law can evaluate your accident report, medical injuries, and witness statements to determine if you have a case against another driver and are eligible to pursue compensation. We offer each potential client a free initial consultation, so there is no cost to give us a call toll-free at 888-539-9211 after a serious motorcycle accident.
What Is Degloving?
When a large vehicle strikes a motorcyclist, the force of the collision can throw them off their back and cause them to roll or skid across the pavement. This can lead to multiple different injuries, including biker’s arm and road rash, but also degloving. This traumatic and costly injury involves the skin being separated from the underlying muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels and other soft tissue.
Degloving can be “closed” or “open.” Closed deglovings mean that the skin was not torn during the accident, while open means that the skin has been torn from the limb, exposing the underlying tissue to infections. Both require immediate treatment from a medical professional to ensure that blood is not restricted to the affected limb. In addition, the accident could have damaged the underlying tissues, which will also require surgery. It can also affect nerve function.
While the term suggests that these injuries only occur to the hands, degloving can occur to any part of the body. It is most common in hands and arms, but it can also occur on the legs, hips, abdomen, chest, shoulders and face. In some cases, a closed degloving may not be noticeable, which is why it is imperative that you seek medical treatment after an accident.
What Accidents Cause Degloving?
Deglovings occur when a large amount of force is applied to the skin, causing it to pull away from the affected limb or body part. These injuries often occur with exposed skin after a motorcyclist is knocked off their bike, but it can still occur with protective clothing.
In motorcycle accidents, degloving can occur due to:
- Rear-end accidents or left-turn collisions that knock riders off their bike and cause them to skid across the pavement
- Side-swipes that cause riders to collide with nearby objects, vehicles and even sidewalks
- Underride accidents where the rider is pulled under a vehicle, or a tire rolls over their limbs
- Single vehicle accidents caused by potholes, objects in the road, or faulty motorcycle parts
While many riders struggle against motorcycle bias after an accident, many are caused by reckless, fatigued or distracted drivers when the accident occurred. If another driver caused your injuries, you may be able to file a motorcycle accident claim against their insurance policy.
The Cost Of A Motorcycle Accident
Because of how exposed riders are, motorcycle accidents can be some of the most costly types of accidents on Seattle roadways. Motorcyclists can suffer a variety of debilitating injuries, from spinal cord damage to brain trauma, that heavily affect the cost of their medical bills. For degloving injuries, victims will require extensive medical treatment to regain blood flow, prevent serious infections, and repair any damaged nerves or muscles.
But these treatments only cover the immediate damage caused by the accident. If they suffer an open degloving, riders may require skin grafts to protect the exposed tissues and may be left with complex scars. In addition, the nerve damage may lead to a disability or at the very least long-term physical therapy to regain full control of the affected limb. This may require you to take time off work, thus losing out on valuable wages, which will make it more difficult to cover your medical expenses.
Throughout all of this, a rider may be contending with a large amount of pain and suffering, which can be included in their motorcycle claim. The state of Washington recognizes that a motorcycle accident does not just involve the initial injuries, but also the way it affects a victim’s career and personal life. After an accident, you may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, disabilities, and pain and suffering. But to ensure you receive a fair shot at compensation, you should contact an experienced law firm after a motorcycle accident.
Injured In Seattle? Contact An Experienced Law Firm.
Sadly, at-fault insurance companies are often not interested in providing full and proper compensation for accident victims, especially motorcyclists. Instead, they will fight to provide more than a light settlement or try to pin the blame on you. If you attempt to take on a large insurance company without an attorney, your claim might be denied.
But the Seattle motorcycle accident attorney at Pendergast Law understand the tactics and strategies insurance companies will employ to minimize liability and coverage, as well as how to fight back against them. If you suffered a degloving in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, contact us immediately toll-free at 888-539-9211. We have nearly 30 years of experience advocating for proper compensation for accident victims and can use all our knowledge to represent your best interests.