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Colorado Springs Road Rash Lawyer

Written by Timothy R. Bussey · Reviewed by Benjamin Wilcox · Last updated 27 September 2026

Key Takeaways

Deadline: 3 years if a motor vehicle was involved (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); 2 years for most other injury claims (C.R.S. 13-80-102).
If you were partly at fault: damages are reduced by your share and barred entirely at 50% (C.R.S. 13-21-111).
Where it is filed: El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.

Is road rash a serious injury?

It is treated as minor and frequently is not.

Deep abrasion removes skin down to and through the dermis, which means debridement, a real risk of infection, sometimes grafting, and permanent scarring and pigment change over a large area. Where gravel or debris is embedded, traumatic tattooing can be permanent without further treatment. It is a disfigurement claim as much as a wound claim.

What should I do about documenting road rash?

Photograph it repeatedly, from the first day, in consistent light with something for scale.

Road rash changes dramatically as it heals and the final appearance — the part that is compensable — does not settle for many months, by which time the early photographs are the only record of how bad it was. Keep the damaged clothing and gear too; it shows the abrasion forces involved.

Representing Those Suffering from Road Rash in Colorado Springs

Road rash is often treated as a minor injury. After all, most people have gotten a scrape when falling off their bike. However, road rash is far from minor. In severe cases, this injury can lead to permanent disability, or even death. To make it even worse, treating this kind of wound is incredibly difficult, and equally costly.

If you have sustained a road rash injury in Colorado Springs due to someone else’s negligence, then you understand how devastating this wound can be. If you want to pursue legal action and demand compensation from the party liable for your injury, then contact The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., to represent you. We fight for our clients and ensure that their rights are protected. Call our Colorado Springs personal injury attorneys at (719) 475-2555 to schedule your free consultation today.

The Degrees of Road Rash

When the skin and any parts of the body below the skin, such as muscle and ligaments, are worn away due to friction from a rough surface, it is considered road rash. Just as with burns, road rash injuries vary in severity. What degree you are suffering from will depend on what the wound looks like, and how deep the damage to your body goes.

First-degree: This is the most minor form of road rash. Typically, it means that just the outer layer of the skin is damaged. A good comparison would be a skinned knee. The skin may be red and slightly torn, but the wound is not deep, nor is it life-threatening. It would still be a good idea to wash the wound out, however, as an infection can develop.

Second-degree: This is when the damage reaches the second layer of the skin. There may be debris such as glass, rubble, or dirt lodged in the wound, and medical intervention could be necessary to get this debris out. While second-degree road rash doesn’t cut through all layers of the skin, it is still deep enough to result in potential scarring and will require medical treatment to prevent any infections and promote proper healing.

Third-degree: This is the most severe and painful kind of road rash. The skin has been completely torn away by the road, leaving muscle and ligaments exposed. In particularly bad cases, even the muscle may be gone, with the damage traveling all the way down to the bone. This level of injury requires immediate medical intervention, otherwise the victim could die from shock or blood loss. There is also a greater likelihood of infection, as debris from the road is likely to be lodged deep in the wound.

In severe cases, road rash can result in serious blood loss, muscle damage, and even permanent disability or loss of a limb.

How Road Rash Happens

Road rash is caused by the body having friction with an abrasive surface. Any kind of injury that causes that kind of friction could result in a road rash injury. Tripping on the sidewalk, for example, could leave you with a scrape that could be considered a first-degree road rash. Common accidents that cause more serious forms of road rash include:

Motorcycle, pedestrian, and bike accidents in particular are common causes of third-degree road rash. Unlike drivers, bikers and people on foot are completely exposed to the road. They do not have four metal walls to keep them safe in the event of a collision. If these people are hit by an oncoming car, they could be sent flying backward and skid across the asphalt. The combination of the road’s rough surface and the force of the impact with the vehicle would quickly strip away the victim’s skin, then muscle and ligaments. Such an injury can become fatal, and those who do make a recovery will still have to deal with the financial burden that comes with serious road rash.

The Costs of a Road Rash Injury

Third-degree road rash is difficult to treat. Unlike with lacerations, stitches cannot be used to close the wound. Road rash is not the slicing of flesh, but the loss of it altogether. But unlike a burn, which is a similar injury, road rash can cause the victim to bleed out. This means that it needs to be treated as quickly as possible.

This will require reconstructive surgery, potentially even skin grafts. Neither of these procedures is cheap. A serious road rash injury could easily cost tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars. That isn’t even to mention the antibiotics victims will need to take to prevent infections, as cleaning a road rash can be incredibly difficult. Even when the wound has healed, victims may still be left with a serious disability, such as a crippled limb, or even a medically required amputation.

If you have suffered a road rash injury in Colorado Springs as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should not be left to shoulder the burden on your own. Thankfully, you can demand that the at-fault party cover the costs of your damages by filing a claim against him or her. In this claim, you can ask for:

Past and future medical bills
Therapy costs
Lost wages
Lowered quality of life
Loss of enjoyment
Pain and suffering

Getting the compensation you deserve, however, will depend on the kind of evidence you can bring to the table. That means pulling medical records, old paystubs, and even talking to potential witnesses who saw the accident and its effect on you. While you’re recovering, you shouldn’t have to worry about such a difficult process. That is why you need to put your claim in the hands of an experienced and trustworthy Colorado Springs injury attorney.

Call The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., for Excellent Legal Representation

You don’t deserve to pay for someone else’s mistakes. If you or a loved one suffered road rash due to a wreck that was not your fault, you are within your rights to demand compensation. Doing so successfully, however, will require the help of an experienced Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer. We at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., have the skill, dedication, and passion you need for your claim. To speak with us for free, call our firm at (719) 475-2555 today.

Frequently Asked Questions – Road Rash Injuries in Colorado Springs, CO

Facing the aftermath of a road rash injury can be a confusing and challenging experience. We understand that you may have many questions about your situation and the legal process. Below, we have provided answers to some of the most common questions individuals injured in a road rash accident in Colorado Springs, CO may want to ask an attorney.

What should I do immediately after a road rash injury?

After a road rash injury, your health is the top priority. Seek medical attention promptly to address your injuries. Document the accident, take photographs, and gather information from any witnesses if possible. It is also wise to consult with a Colorado Springs Road Rash Lawyer to understand your legal rights and options.

How long do I have to file a road rash injury claim in Colorado Springs?

In Colorado, when the road rash came from a crash involving a motor vehicle, you generally have three years from the date of the accident (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)) to file a claim; most other personal injury claims have two years (C.R.S. 13-80-102(1)(a)). However, it is essential to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you meet all deadlines and preserve your right to compensation.

What compensation can I recover for my road rash injuries?

The compensation you can recover may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related damages. The specific amount will depend on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the accident. An experienced Colorado Springs Road Rash Lawyer can help you determine what you are entitled to.

How is fault determined in road rash injury cases?

Determining fault in road rash cases can be complex. Liability often depends on various factors, such as the actions of the involved parties and any applicable traffic laws. It is best to consult with an attorney who can investigate your case and assess the liability accurately.

Should I speak to the insurance company without an attorney?

It is not advisable to speak to the insurance company without legal representation. Insurance adjusters may attempt to minimize your claim or use your statements against you. A Colorado Springs Road Rash Lawyer can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, ensuring your rights are protected.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation, but your award may be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault. An attorney can help negotiate a fair settlement that takes your contribution to the accident into account.

How much does it cost to hire a Colorado Springs Road Rash Lawyer?

At The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay any legal fees upfront. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. Our goal is to make legal representation accessible to everyone, especially those who are already burdened by medical expenses and lost income.

How can a Colorado Springs Road Rash Lawyer help me with my case?

A Colorado Springs Road Rash Lawyer can provide experienced legal guidance, investigate your case, negotiate with insurance companies, and build a strong case for your claim. Our team is dedicated to advocating for your rights, helping you navigate the legal process, and securing the compensation you deserve.

How long do I have to bring a claim for this injury in Colorado?

It depends on how you were hurt, not on the injury. Three years if a motor vehicle was involved (C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)); two years for most other causes — a fall, a defective product, an assault (C.R.S. 13-80-102(1)(a)); and only 182 days to serve written notice if a public entity is responsible (C.R.S. 24-10-109(1), which the statute makes jurisdictional). Confirm which one governs early rather than assuming the longest.

What does a road rash claim cost to pursue?

Nothing up front, and nothing at all unless there is a recovery. A road rash review is free and the firm is paid a percentage of what it recovers rather than by the hour, so asking costs nothing. Call (719) 475-2555.

Is road rash a minor injury?

Not when it is deep. Severe abrasion removes skin layers and can require debridement and grafting, carries a real infection risk, and leaves permanent scarring — which is a compensable loss in its own right.

Who is liable for road rash injuries?

The driver who caused the crash. Riders and cyclists take the whole impact against the surface because there is nothing between them and the road.

Where is a road rash claim filed?

In the El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 — the district court serving El Paso County. Most claims settle without a court appearance; if one does not, the lawsuit is filed there and must be filed before the deadline runs.

Why do insurers undervalue these claims?

Because the name sounds trivial and the early photographs look like a graze. The permanent scarring and any grafting are the value, and neither is visible in the first week.

How should it be documented?

Photograph the wounds at every stage, keep the damaged clothing and gear, and follow the wound-care plan to the end — a gap in treatment is the first thing raised.

What Are the Colorado Deadlines and Rules on This Claim?

Which deadline applies depends on how the injury happened, not on what it is called. Colorado gives three years to a claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle and two years to most other injury claims. Missing the deadline normally ends the claim regardless of its merits.

Colorado deadlines and rules that apply to this claim
A claim arising from the use or operation of a motor vehicle	3 years — C.R.S. 13-80-101(1)(n)
Most other personal injury claims	2 years — C.R.S. 13-80-102
If you were partly at fault	Damages reduced by your share, barred at 50% — C.R.S. 13-21-111
Where a Colorado Springs claim is filed	El Paso County Combined Courts, 270 S Tejon St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Sources and References

Deadlines are cited by section to the Colorado General Assembly’s published 2024 revised statutes. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is decided on its own facts.