Motorcycle accidents can result in severe injuries due to the lack of protection compared to other vehicles. One of the most traumatic injuries that can occur in a motorcycle crash is a degloving injury. This type of injury happens when the skin and tissue are forcibly detached from the underlying muscle, bone, or connective tissue, often leaving exposed areas vulnerable to infection and long-term damage. Although the name ‘degloving’ suggests that this injury only applies to hands, it actually refers to any part of the body where the skin is pulled away.
For motorcyclists in Florida, degloving injuries can cause both serious physical and emotional trauma and require significant medical treatment that can take a long time to recover from. If your accident and degloving injuries were caused by the negligence of someone else, you deserve compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering you have endured. At the Cloud Law Firm, we have years of experience helping those who have been injured by others. Reach out to our office online or call 855-408-5100 to speak with one of our experienced motorcycle attorneys today to set up a free case consultation.
Steps To Take After A Degloving Motorcycle Injury
When you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, it can be difficult to know how to proceed especially if you have suffered serious injuries. It is important to follow the steps outlined below to build a strong motorcycle accident case.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
The first and most important step after a motorcycle accident is to get immediate medical care. Degloving injuries are catastrophic and often require emergency surgery to minimize the risk of infection, reconstruct damaged tissue, and restore function to the affected area. Even if the injury does not seem immediately life-threatening, complications like tissue death or severe blood loss can arise without proper medical treatment. Be sure to follow your doctor’s orders carefully, attend follow-up appointments, and keep detailed records of all treatments and procedures to make sure that your recovery is managed properly.
Document the Accident and Injuries
If you are physically able or have a companion at the scene, it’s important to gather evidence from the motorcycle accident. This can be critical later when pursuing compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Make sure to include:
- Photographs of the scene: Take pictures of the accident location, damage to your motorcycle, and the surrounding environment, such as road conditions or obstacles that may have contributed to the crash.
- Witness information: Collect the contact details of any witnesses who saw the accident, as their testimony can be valuable for proving liability.
- Medical documentation: Keep records of your injury, including photos of the degloving injury as it progresses, as well as all hospital visits, surgeries, and medical expenses.
Having solid documentation will not only support your claim but also make it easier to demonstrate the extent of your injuries and how the accident occurred.
Report the Accident to the Authorities
In Florida, any motorcycle accident that results in injuries or significant property damage must be reported to law enforcement. The police report is an essential piece of evidence when it comes to proving fault in the accident. Make sure the officer on the scene documents all relevant details, including any violations of traffic laws or negligence by other parties involved.
If another driver caused the motorcycle accident, it will be imperative that your motorcycle lawyer can clearly show their liability and fault for the accident. Florida is a comparative negligence state, this means that if you are found partially responsible for the accident, the compensation for your motorcycle accident settlement could be reduced based on your percentage of fault. The more details that can be collected about the accident, the better a clear picture of what happened can be constructed.