California Motorcycle Road Rash & Burn Injury Lawyer

Fighting for Those Scarred by the Ride

Ask any rider — every scar tells a story. But when that story comes from someone else’s carelessness, the scars aren’t badges of honor. They’re reminders of pain that should never have happened.

If you’ve suffered severe road rash or burns in a motorcycle crash, you already know recovery is no small thing. The pain is constant. The dressings, the grafts, the itching, the risk of infection — they can last for months or years. And when the wounds finally close, the scars can still change how you see yourself, how others see you, and how you live your life.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we’ve stood with riders across California who’ve been through it — riders who did everything right but got cut off, sideswiped, or thrown down by someone else’s negligence. We’re California’s Motorcycle Law Firm — built by riders, for riders — and we fight to make sure that when another driver leaves you scarred, they pay for what they took.

The Truth About Road Rash and Burn Injuries

“Road rash” sounds mild. It’s not.

In a serious crash, the friction between your skin and the pavement can literally grind away layers of flesh, muscle, and tissue. It’s a burn — and a deep one.

These injuries can be every bit as serious as thermal burns from fire or explosions. They can cause severe pain, infection, nerve damage, disfigurement, and permanent scarring.

And while many riders think protective gear will prevent it, even high-quality jackets and pants can’t always protect against the worst cases — especially if the crash drags you along asphalt or concrete at high speed.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we’ve seen cases where road rash covered 30, 40, even 60 percent of a rider’s body. Some required months in burn units, skin grafts, and multiple surgeries. Others were left with lifelong scarring and emotional trauma.

These are not “minor injuries.” They’re life-changing.

Common Causes of Road Rash and Burn Injuries in Motorcycle Crashes

Riders don’t end up with road rash or burns by accident. It’s almost always because someone else wasn’t paying attention.

The most common causes include:

We investigate every crash carefully — because proving exactly what caused your injuries is key to getting justice.

Types of Burn and Road Rash Injuries

Burns and abrasions are classified by their depth and severity. Motorcycle crash victims often experience a combination of both:

  • First-degree burns: Red, painful skin — often treated with basic care.

  • Second-degree burns: Blistering, oozing, and intense pain; can leave permanent discoloration or scars.

  • Third-degree burns: Deep tissue damage requiring grafts and long-term care.

  • Fourth-degree burns: Extending into muscle, tendon, or bone — often catastrophic and disabling.

  • Friction burns (“road rash”): A combination of heat and abrasion, often contaminated with debris that must be scrubbed or surgically removed.

In many cases, these injuries require skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and infection control. Scarring can restrict movement and cause lasting pain, numbness, or disfigurement.

The Hidden Cost of Burn and Road Rash Injuries

Severe burns and abrasions don’t just hurt — they reshape your entire life.

Physical recovery can take years, and many riders struggle with chronic nerve pain, limited mobility, or scarring that affects their confidence and relationships. The emotional impact — anxiety, depression, even PTSD — is real.

Then there’s the financial side:

  • Hospitalization and surgeries

  • Reconstructive or plastic surgery

  • Skin grafts and wound care

  • Pain management and medications

  • Rehabilitation and physical therapy

  • Lost wages and loss of earning capacity

  • Psychological therapy

A single severe burn case can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars — sometimes more — over a lifetime.

That’s why you need a lawyer who understands what you’re going through and knows how to prove the true scope of your losses.

Proving Burn and Road Rash Injury Cases

Burn and road rash cases often look “simple” to insurance companies — until we show them the truth.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we build these cases meticulously:

  • Crash Reconstruction: Showing how the collision caused the slide or fire.

  • Medical Evidence: Using burn specialist reports, surgical records, and photos to document the injury’s severity.

  • Expert Testimony: From plastic surgeons, psychologists, and pain management experts.

  • Human Storytelling: Using witness and family statements to show how your life has changed.

We don’t let adjusters dismiss these injuries as “just skin wounds.” We make them understand what it really means to live with them — the pain, the fear, the embarrassment, and the daily struggle to heal.

What Compensation Covers in a Burn or Road Rash Case

Our goal is to make sure you’re compensated not just for the immediate medical costs, but for everything this injury will mean long-term.

That can include:

  • Emergency and ongoing medical care

  • Skin grafts and reconstructive surgery

  • Physical and occupational therapy

  • Scar revision or cosmetic surgery

  • Psychological counseling for trauma or disfigurement

  • Lost wages and reduced earning potential

  • Pain and suffering

  • Emotional distress

  • Loss of enjoyment of life

  • Permanent disability or disfigurement damages

And in cases involving reckless or drunk driving, we pursue punitive damages — because riders deserve more than apologies. They deserve accountability.

Why Riders Choose McCarthy Motorcycle Law

We’re not a call center. We’re not a billboard firm. We’re a rider-founded law firm that focuses entirely on helping motorcyclists and their families.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, you’ll work directly with John McCarthy, a trial lawyer with a national reputation for fighting for injured riders and winning real results.

John has recovered millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for riders and families who were hurt by negligent drivers. He’s known for being both compassionate and relentless — treating clients like family while refusing to back down from insurance companies.

You won’t get passed off to a junior attorney or paralegal. You’ll get personal attention, honest advice, and someone who genuinely understands what you’re going through.

We Know California’s Roads — and How Dangerous They Can Be

From the twisting coastal stretches of Highway 1 up in Eureka and down to Monterey to the tight corners of Highway 9 through the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the farm-lined curves along Highway 99 through Fresno and Merced or Highway 101 through Salinas and Paso Robles— we know California’s roads.

We know how unpredictable they can be. How one distracted driver or one patch of gravel can change everything.

And because we know the roads, the local law enforcement, and how these crashes happen, we’re uniquely equipped to prove your case — and to tell your story in a way juries understand.

Take the First Step Toward Healing and Justice

If you suffered road rash or burn injuries in a motorcycle crash, you don’t have to face recovery — or the insurance companies — alone.

At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we offer free, confidential case evaluations, and every message goes directly to John McCarthy. There’s no fee unless we win, and if we can’t help, we’ll point you in the right direction.

We’ll listen to your story, explain your options, and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve — so you can focus on healing and getting your life back.

McCarthy Motorcycle Law — California’s Motorcycle Law Firm. Built by Riders. Fighting for Justice.