Wisconsin Motorcycle Road Rash & Severe Burn Injury Lawyer
Injured in a Motorcycle Crash That Left You With Road Rash or Burns? You're Not Alone—And You're Not Out of Options.
There’s nothing quite like the freedom of riding a motorcycle. But when things go wrong—when someone cuts you off, pulls out in front of you, or swerves into your lane—that freedom can turn into trauma in a split second. And for many Wisconsin riders, one of the most painful and underestimated injuries from a motorcycle crash is road rash or a severe burn.
We get it. At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we’re not just lawyers—we’re part of the riding community. We’ve seen what these injuries can do, both physically and mentally. The pain, the scarring, the infection risk, the long healing time, the medical bills, the sleepless nights, the stares from strangers... it all adds up. But you don’t have to deal with it on your own. And you shouldn’t have to foot the bill when someone else caused your crash.
What Is Road Rash?
Road rash is more than just a scraped knee. When you're thrown from your bike and slide across the pavement, your skin can literally be peeled away—sometimes down to the muscle or even the bone. It’s a friction burn. It’s an open wound. And in serious cases, it’s a medical emergency.
Road rash is often broken into three degrees:
First-degree: Redness, tenderness, and surface-level skin loss. Painful, but usually heals without major medical care.
Second-degree: Deeper skin layers are damaged. Bleeding, swelling, and a high risk of infection are common.
Third-degree: All layers of skin are gone. Muscle, fat, and even bone may be exposed. This usually requires skin grafts, surgeries, and extensive wound care.
Even “minor” road rash can turn serious if it becomes infected or doesn’t heal properly. And if you’ve had to go through debridement (scraping away dead skin), you know just how excruciating this injury can be.
What About Burn Injuries?
Burns from a motorcycle accident can happen in a few different ways:
Contact with a hot exhaust pipe or engine
Chemical burns from leaking fuel or battery acid
Friction burns from sliding on pavement (a form of road rash)
Flash burns or explosions when gas ignites during a crash
Severe burns are classified by degree:
Second-degree burns damage the outer and underlying layers of skin. They blister, ooze, and scar.
Third-degree burns destroy all skin layers and sometimes underlying tissue. They may not hurt at first because nerves are destroyed, but they almost always require surgery and long-term care.
Burns are not just skin-deep. They can lead to serious infections, nerve damage, disfigurement, psychological trauma, and months (or years) of recovery. And the costs—financial, emotional, physical—are brutal.
Common Scenarios That Cause Road Rash & Burns in Wisconsin Motorcycle Accidents
We’ve represented riders across Wisconsin, and while every crash is different, there are a few common themes when it comes to what causes these kinds of injuries:
A driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcyclist. The rider lays the bike down or gets thrown off, sliding across the pavement—resulting in road rash and/or burns from hot metal or leaking fuel.
A car plows into a stopped or slowed motorcycle, knocking the rider off balance or into traffic. If a fire starts, burns can follow. If the rider slides on pavement, so does road rash.
Sideswipes and Unsafe Lane Changes
A driver merges into your lane without looking or checking their blind spot. You swerve to avoid a direct hit, but you go down—and the pavement isn’t forgiving.
Faulty brakes. Electrical shorts. Leaking gas tanks. When the bike itself is the cause of the crash or catches fire, burn injuries can be catastrophic.
No Protective Gear
Even the best gear isn’t foolproof. But if you weren’t wearing armored pants, a proper jacket, or gloves, you’re more likely to suffer road rash. And if you weren’t wearing a helmet, facial injuries or burns can be even worse.
“I Wasn’t Wearing All My Gear. Do I Still Have a Case?”
Yes. Wisconsin does not require adult riders to wear helmets or other protective gear. And while wearing gear can help reduce injuries, it doesn’t change the fact that another driver’s negligence caused your crash.
We’re firm believers in ATGATT (All the Gear; All the Time). But, we don’t judge. We ride. We know the risks. And we also know that when a distracted or careless driver hits you, what you were wearing doesn’t give them a free pass.
You may still be entitled to full compensation for:
Medical bills
Skin grafts, surgeries, and rehab
Pain and suffering
Scarring and disfigurement
Lost wages and future income
Emotional distress
Permanent disability
How Road Rash and Burn Injuries Are Treated
Treatment depends on how bad the injury is, but generally includes:
Wound cleaning and debridement: This is often painful and may need to be repeated.
Antibiotics: Either topical or oral to prevent or treat infection.
Skin grafts: For deep burns or road rash that won’t heal on its own.
Pain management: Often includes opioids, which carry their own risks.
Physical therapy: Especially if mobility is impacted by scar tissue or pain.
Cosmetic surgery: In some cases, especially for facial injuries or scarring.
Treatment can take weeks, months, or even years—and it’s not just physical. A lot of riders deal with PTSD, anxiety, depression, or self-consciousness because of how their injuries look or feel. That’s real, and it matters.
Best Burn and Trauma Hospitals in Wisconsin
If you're dealing with a serious road rash or burn injury, here are some of the top medical centers in Wisconsin for trauma care:
UW Health – University Hospital (Madison)
Level I trauma center with a burn treatment unit. Exceptional for surgical care and long-term recovery.Froedtert Hospital (Milwaukee)
Partnered with the Medical College of Wisconsin. Known for its advanced burn care and trauma recovery program.Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s (Milwaukee)
Recognized for both its emergency care and wound treatment services.Children’s Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
If your child was injured in a motorcycle-related crash, this is one of the best pediatric trauma centers in the Midwest.
Why Riders Trust McCarthy Motorcycle Law
We know what it means to ride. And we know what it means to get knocked down—and get back up. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to help injured bikers and their families across Wisconsin recover physically, emotionally, and financially.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we don’t hand you off to a paralegal. We don’t churn through cases. You get real one-on-one attention from a lawyer who’s walked in your boots and who fights like hell for the underdog.
And we do it on contingency, which means:
We front all costs.
No fee unless we win.
What To Do After a Road Rash or Burn Injury in a Motorcycle Crash
If you're reading this soon after a crash, here’s what to keep in mind:
Get Medical Care ASAP – Even if you think it’s “just a scrape.” Infections and complications can show up later.
Document Everything – Photos of your injuries, your gear, the bike, and the crash scene can all help.
Don’t Talk to Insurance Alone – They’ll try to minimize your injuries and blame you for not wearing gear.
Call a Lawyer Who Gets It – One who knows the roads, knows the injuries, and knows how to win.
Let’s Talk—It’s Free, Confidential, and No Pressure
You don’t need to go through this alone. Whether you’re dealing with raw, painful road rash, severe burns, or both—we’re here to listen and help.
Your case evaluation is free, fast, and confidential. And if we can’t help, we’ll try to point you in the right direction.
Get started today. No hoops. No B.S. Just real help, from a firm that rides with you.