What To Do After Degloving Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

In 2023, the Crash Dashboard created by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles states that there were a total of 9,540 motorcycle accidents reported across the state. Of these incidents, 8,200 motorcycle accidents in Florida resulted in injuries. Motorcycle injuries can vary widely, but they are often more severe than those sustained in regular car accidents due to the lack of protection a motorcyclist has. One particularly serious type of injury that occurs more frequently in motorcycle accidents than in car accidents are degloving injuries. Degloving injuries can seriously impede a person from returning to work, going back to their daily lives, or from being able to use the affected extremity in the same way as before the accident.

At Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, our Florida motorcycle accident attorneys understand just how impactful a degloving injury can be on an individual’s life. Whether it’s a degloved foot motorcycle accident or a degloved hand, such injuries can have severe consequences that typically require extensive recovery and medical attention. These injuries can significantly affect a motorcyclist’s daily life and ability to work. Therefore, it is crucial to pursue the compensation you deserve to cover lost wages, medical bills, and any pain and suffering that has been endured as a result of the injury. Our nearby, dedicated team is here to help you navigate the legal process and secure the financial support you need for your physical and emotional recovery.

Types of Degloving Injuries

A motorcycle degloving injury can affect various appendages, with the hand and foot being the most common areas to be impacted. This traumatic type of injury occurs when the top layers of skin and tissue are torn away from the underlying components of the appendage, including muscle, connective tissue, or bone. Degloving injuries related to motorcycle accidents are also frequently associated with underlying fractures. Due to the severity of blood loss and tissue death that can occur with a motorcycle degloving injury, they are often life-threatening and require immediate and extensive medical intervention.

If you or a loved one has suffered this type of injury, consulting experienced motorcycle accident lawyers may be essential in ensuring you receive the support and compensation needed for recovery. There are two different types of motorcycle degloving injuries that can happen when these accidents occur.

Closed Degloving Injuries

A closed degloving motorcycle injury is a less visible degloving injury. Unlike other degloving injuries, not being able to identify the closed degloving injury immediately can significantly delay and complicate a proper diagnosis. A bruise on the skin may be the only recognizable symptom of this type of injury, however the underlying damage can be severe. Seeking medical attention after a motorcycle accident in Florida will allow experienced doctors to examine all injuries. They often require MRI scans and ultrasound tests to accurately identify degloving lesions under the skin. These lesions may be undetectable to the eye and may fill with blood, lymph fluid, and fat. They typically exist within or beneath the lowest levels of skin that has been damaged by degloving. Due to the heightened risk of infection associated with closed motorcycle degloving injuries, careful monitoring of every treatment provided is essential.

Open Degloving Injuries

An open degloving injury sustained in a Florida motorcycle accident is a severe type of trauma that occurs when all the skin and tissue are ripped away from the appendages. In some cases, parts of the skin may remain partially attached and act as a flap near the wound. This devastating type of degloving injury frequently results from catastrophic traffic accidents involving motorcycles, trucks, or passenger vehicles, but occurs particularly often when the rider is dragged underneath a vehicle. The exposure of muscle and bone makes open degloving injuries exceptionally severe and requires urgent and extensive medical treatment to address the substantial damage and to prevent further complications.

Adhering To Degloving Treatments Is Very Important

Adhering to treatment protocols for motorcycle degloving injuries is crucial, not only for ensuring as successful a recovery as possible, but also for protecting your right to compensation. The treatment options for degloving injuries vary based on their severity, location, and whether fractures are involved. These injuries require complex skin repairs that often require specialized care and surgery, requiring motorcycle accident victims to be transferred to advanced trauma centers to receive the care they need.

For open degloving injuries, treatment may involve intricate medical procedures such as:

• Skin reattachment
• Reattachment of fingers or toes
• Skin grafts
• Amputation

Closed degloving injuries, while less severe, still require meticulous medical attention, including possible surgery, the use of compression bandages, and physical therapy. More serious degloving cases may necessitate draining fluid from the lesion, removing dead tissue, and administering injections into blood vessels to promote proper healing. Following prescribed treatments is essential when trying to pursue the best possible outcome for the recovery but also to support any legal claims for compensation related to medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.

Steps To Take After Sustaining A Motorcycle Degloving Injury In Florida

When being in a motorcycle degloving accident, there are some essential steps to take to ensure your safety as well as your rights to compensation:

1. Contact the Police – Call the local police or 911 immediately after the accident. They will investigate the crash site, take witness statements, and file an official Florida police accident report, which is crucial for legal and insurance purposes.
2. Receive Emergency Care – If you notice that your skin has been ripped from your foot or hand, it’s important to seek medical attention or go to the emergency room right away. Immediate medical care is vital to prevent infection, minimize blood loss, and have the best chance at a good recovery. Depending on the injury’s severity, treatment may require surgical repair or extensive medical attention.
3. Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer – Once you have received treatment for the degloving injury, you or a loved one should reach out to a Florida motorcycle accident lawyer, such as the ones at Abrahamson & Uiterwyk, who work diligently to represent their clients. Serious degloving injuries involve costly medical care, significant time off work, and in some instances deformities or reduced use of the appendage. If a defective motorcycle part or another driver is at fault, a personal injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for these damages as well as for your emotional pain and suffering. Contact us today.