Road Rash Injuries — Compensation in Alberta
Road rash is the scraping or tearing of skin caused by contact with asphalt, gravel, or concrete — usually after a motorcycle accident. While many people dismiss it as a 'surface injury,' road rash can be **severe, disfiguring, and medically complicated**.
Severe road rash can lead to infection, nerve damage, or permanent scarring — affecting not just your physical health but also your confidence, career, and quality of life.
If you've suffered road rash in an Alberta motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical treatment, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
As Alberta motorcycle accident lawyers, we help riders recover fair settlements for road rash injuries — from minor scrapes to life-altering trauma. This guide explains:
This guide explains:
What Is Road Rash?
Road rash occurs when a rider's skin scrapes along a rough surface during a crash — usually after being thrown or sliding across the pavement.
The severity of road rash depends on:
How Road Rash Compensation Works in Alberta
Alberta's personal injury system is **fault-based**, meaning the at-fault driver's insurer must compensate injured victims for their losses.
Severity of Injuries
The extent and permanence of your road rash injuries.
Degree of Fault
Whether you share any responsibility for the accident.
Lasting Effects
How the injuries affect your life and work long-term.
Steps to Take After Suffering Road Rash in a Motorcycle Accident
Taking immediate action after a road rash injury is crucial to protect both your health and your legal rights:
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Even if your injuries seem minor, you could have embedded debris or early infection. Medical records also strengthen your claim.
Document Your Injuries
Take photos of your wounds at each stage of healing — they provide powerful evidence for pain, suffering, and scarring claims.
Preserve Your Gear and Clothing
Torn clothing or damaged protective gear can help prove the severity of impact and speed.
Report the Accident to Police
An official report documents fault and helps confirm your version of events.
Notify Your Insurer
Report the crash promptly to access Section B medical benefits (up to $50,000 for treatment and therapy).
Keep All Medical and Expense Records
Track every appointment, medication, and bill related to your injury.
Consult an Alberta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
A lawyer ensures insurers don't minimize your injuries and negotiates for full compensation.
How a Lawyer Helps With Road Rash Injury Claims
Road rash injury claims require careful documentation and legal expertise to secure fair compensation. Here's how we help:
Proving Negligence
Gathering police reports, witness statements, and traffic evidence.
Documenting Injury Severity
Working with doctors and plastic surgeons to describe long-term scarring or disfigurement.
Calculating Full Damages
Including pain, loss of income, and future care.
Negotiating Fair Settlements
Countering insurer claims that the injuries are minor or cosmetic.
Litigating if Needed
Taking the case to court when insurers undervalue permanent injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Road rash injuries are often underestimated, but for Alberta motorcyclists, they can lead to lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. You have the right to pursue full compensation for medical care, scarring, lost income, and psychological harm — not just the surface damage insurers focus on.
Road rash can cause deep tissue loss, nerve damage, and permanent scarring.
The minor injury cap does not apply to these injuries.
Compensation includes pain, lost wages, and future medical care.
A lawyer ensures insurers treat your injuries seriously and pay their fair value.