Collisions between bicycles and other vehicles can cause devastating injuries. Fractures and brain injuries are well-known risks. Cyclists are often familiar with road rash as well.
What they may not realize is that incidents that put them at risk of road rash could also cause degloving injuries. Unlike road rash, which is unsightly and painful but likely to heal fully, degloving injuries can cause major medical expenses and a lifetime of new medical challenges. They can also significantly increase the financial impact of the cycling crash.
What is a degloving injury?
A degloving injury is a traumatic injury caused by the separation of the skin from the tissue underneath. Frequently, degloving injuries occur because a cyclist gets thrown from their bicycle during a crash.
At high speeds, the friction they experience can peel or tear their skin away from their bodies instead of simply causing road rash. Degloving injuries can cause major blood loss and serious infections if the injury is open.
Even if the injury does not break the skin, it can cause nerve damage and internal bleeding. The skin separated from the tissue below may die and become necrotic. The injury can also cause severe scarring and permanent disfigurement.
Degloving injuries frequently require intensive medical intervention and can cause permanent functional limitations in cases where the injury leads to nerve damage or damages nearby tissue, including muscles. People may have high medical costs and lost wages to consider.
Cyclists with major injuries from bicycle-car collisions may need help as they pursue compensation. Insurance coverage may not be enough to address the cost of a degloving injury. Having experienced legal guidance can help injured cyclists optimize their compensation for serious bicycle crash injuries.
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