When people think of motorcycle accidents, they often imagine catastrophic injuries: broken bones, head trauma, or worse. But one of the most common and deceptively serious injuries among motorcyclists is road rash. It’s frequently dismissed as “just a scrape,” but in many cases, it leads to infection, scarring, nerve damage, and significant pain. If you’ve suffered road rash after a motorcycle crash in Colorado, you may be wondering: Can I sue? The answer is more complex, and more hopeful, than you might think.
What Is Road Rash, Really?
Road rash is the term for skin abrasions caused by contact with pavement or another rough surface during a fall or slide. Depending on severity, road rash is categorized into three degrees:
- First-degree: Redness and surface irritation of the skin
- Second-degree: Skin breakage, bleeding, and risk of infection
- Third-degree: Deep abrasions affecting all skin layers, often requiring skin grafts
According to the National Library of Medicine, third-degree road rash can lead to chronic pain, disability, and lasting psychological effects. Even second-degree cases can involve extended healing times and medical complications.
Why Road Rash Isn’t Always “Minor”
While road rash might not always result in broken bones, its consequences can be just as serious, especially if the injury becomes infected. The U.S. National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus warns that open wounds are vulnerable to bacterial infections like staph or MRSA, which can require hospitalization or even surgery. In severe cases, infection spreads to underlying tissue or the bloodstream (sepsis), which can be life-threatening.
In addition to infection, many road rash victims deal with:
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Nerve damage or loss of sensation
- Restricted range of motion
- Emotional trauma, particularly if visible scarring occurs
Can You Sue for Road Rash in Colorado?
Yes—if another party’s negligence caused the crash that led to your injury, you may be entitled to compensation. In Colorado, personal injury claims, including those involving motorcycle accidents—fall under the state’s modified comparative fault rule. This means you can recover damages as long as you were less than 50% at fault for the accident.
Your compensation may cover:
- Medical bills for emergency care, wound treatment, or surgery
- Ongoing treatment, including wound care and physical therapy
- Lost wages due to time off work
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
- Costs for scar revision or plastic surgery
Why Documentation Matters
If you’re considering a claim, detailed medical documentation is essential. This includes not only ER records but also follow-up care, infection treatment, mental health services (if needed), and photographs of the injury throughout healing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages tracking injury progression for both medical and legal reasons, especially when there’s risk of long-term impact.
Protecting Your Rights After a Crash
Insurance companies may downplay road rash as a superficial wound. But if you’ve experienced complications, high medical costs, or emotional effects from the injury, you deserve to be taken seriously. In many cases, riders don’t pursue claims simply because they’re told their injuries aren’t “bad enough.” That’s a myth; what matters is how the injury has affected your life.
If you’re not sure whether you have a case, you don’t have to figure it out alone. A motorcycle-focused legal team can help you evaluate your options and push back when insurance companies minimize your suffering.
You Deserve Better Than “Just a Scratch”
Riders face enough risk on Colorado’s roads. If you’ve been injured because someone else wasn’t paying attention, or the road conditions were hazardous, you have every right to seek compensation. Don’t let a so-called “minor” injury stop you from getting the justice and support you need.
Want to talk about your road rash case? Reach out to the Rider Justice team. We’ll listen and help you take the next step.