Burn Injuries Related to Car Accidents

Author: Auger Law | February 14th, 2018

When people think of burn injuries, their thoughts may travel to cooking accidents or even house fires. Many don’t consider burns as the result of motor vehicle collisions, but these injuries do occur. In fact, car accidents cause a fair share of burn injuries treated by medical professionals across the country.

The aftermath of a burn injury can be devastating. Burns cause serious pain and often require rehabilitation. In some situations, burns can be so severe that they lead to death. When you or a loved one has been burned as the result of a car accident that was not your fault, you may have legal rights to compensation.

How People are Burned in Car Accidents

Any motor vehicle that runs on gasoline has the potential to catch on fire in a collision. In some cases, a fire erupts and traps a victim in their vehicle. In other cases, a person is burned after they are able to escape their flaming car after an accident.

Burn injuries may also be caused by a collision with a large truck carrying fuel or other toxic chemicals. If these chemicals leak after a serious accident, they can burn the victims and even witnesses who stop to assist.

Types of Burn Injuries

A burn can be minor or severe. Any burn, no matter how slight, should be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional. A doctor will examine the burn and place it into one of three categories:

• First degree: This type of burn affects the outer layer of the skin. It may cause redness and swelling but rarely causes significant pain. Minor discomfort, especially when the area is touched, is more common.
• Second degree: This burn affects the outer layer of the skin and the layer just beneath. Redness, swelling, and blisters are common with this type of burn. It may cause a good deal of pain.
• Third degree: This is the most serious type of burn that people live with. It can affect all layers of the skin and tissues that lie beneath, including the bones. These burns often appear black or white in their initial stages.

Treating Burns

Again, burns should be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional. Each type of burn may be treated in a different way in order to manage pain and promote healing. First-degree burns may be treated with over-the-counter remedies, while second-and third-degree burns may require extensive care. Third-degree burns may require skin grafts, surgery, rehabilitation, or all three.

If you have been burned in a car accident in Charlotte, you may be entitled to compensation for the medical costs you have incurred and will in the future. Reach out to our experienced team of personal injury attorneys to discover more about your legal rights and options. We can help you hold the at-fault driver accountable, and we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call our office today or browse our website for more information about our firm and the types of cases we handle.