One way to classify motorcycle accident injuries is by whether the injury is open or closed. An open injury is one in which the skin is broken and a closed injury occurs without any break in the skin. Both kinds of injuries are serious. For example, a spinal cord injury is a serious, life-changing injury that can occur without any break in the skin. However, other types of injuries such as road rash are open injuries—and they may be just as dangerous.
How Open Wounds Occur
Generally, an open wound occurs when:
- A bone breaks and pokes through the skin.
- A sharp object penetrates the skin.
- The rider is dragged along the road. This leads to abrasion or road rash. While there may not be significant bleeding or a deep wound with this type of open wound injury, it is still dangerous.
Whether the open wound is small or large, it is important to seek prompt medical attention to avoid serious problems.
Open Wounds Can Lead to Dangerous Complications
Regardless of the specific cause of your open wound, a dangerous complication can result. Such complications include:
- Excessive bleeding. This risk is immediate and requires emergency medical treatment.
- Nerve damage. If the nerves are exposed then nerve damage, which may be permanent, can result.
- Infection. This is one of the most significant risks associated with an open wound. It continues long after the accident scene has been cleared and until the wound is completely healed. Serious infections can be life-threatening. Any symptom of infection such as fever, foul smell, or discharge from the wound should be promptly reported to a doctor. Antibiotics may be required to cure the infection.
Talk to your doctor about the risks and about what you can do to prevent these complications.
Get the Recovery You Deserve After an Open Wound Injury
If you do suffer an open wound injury in a motorcycle accident, then it is also important to talk to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Your lawyer will help you get a fair recovery for your past, current and future medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering and other damages. To learn more, please start a live chat with us today.
