Of all the many types of injuries car accidents can cause, one of the most severe is burn injuries. Burn injuries can be detrimental physically, but the aftermath can also leave a lasting impact on you mentally. After sustaining burns in a car accident, allow a car accident lawyer at The Joel Bieber Firm to help fight for your right to just compensation.
What Causes Burns in a Car Accident?
During and after a car accident, there is always a risk of suffering burn injuries. Some of the most common ways you may sustain burns in a collision include:
- Airbag Deployment: Sometimes, the sudden and rapid deployment of the airbag is enough to burn your arms, face, or chest in an accident
- Fires and Explosions: Collisions create a risk of fire, and sometimes fire can cause part of the vehicle to explode, mainly due to leaking gasoline
- Exposure to Hot Metal and Steam: The vehicle and parts of the car can become very hot, and damaged radiators usually let out extremely hot steam
Additionally, severe accidents can result in ejection from the vehicle. If you’re ejected from your car, you may also suffer road rash. Road rash is a type of burn caused by friction against a hard surface, like asphalt.
Types of Burns You May Sustain in a Car Crash
Burns are classified into different levels depending on their severity.
Generally, burns from a car accident are thermal burns. A thermal burn occurs when your skin is exposed to a very hot object that raises the temperature of your skin, resulting in dead skin cells. Other types of burns can result from a collision, including chemical burns, electrical burns, and friction burns.
For proper diagnosis and treatment, doctors classify burns from first to fourth degree. The higher the degree of the burn, the more severe it is and the more medical treatment it will require.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns are the mildest, as they impact only the outer layer of skin. The skin will likely be red and you may experience some pain, but long-lasting effects are not likely.
While you may feel you don’t need medical treatment for a mild burn, it’s still a good idea to allow a medical professional to take a look at it. There are always risks for complications, but a doctor can give you advice and recommendations to minimize these risks.
Second-Degree Burns
With a second-degree burn, you can expect damage to the outer skin as well as the layer underneath — the dermis. Your skin will be red, swollen, and sore to the touch. You will also likely develop blisters that will need proper care.
Superficial second-degree burns may not result in permanent scarring, but a deeper thickness burn can cause scarring and change the color of the skin.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns are often referred to as “full-thickness burns,” as they destroy two layers of skin. These more severe burns are often more painful because nerve endings are damaged. Instead of the skin turning red, it may appear white, yellow, brown, or black.
Third-degree burns usually result in permanent damage and scarring. They may require surgery and skin grafts.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Fourth-degree burns are the most substantial and painful. These burns not only to damage the layers of skin but could potentially harm what’s underneath, including muscles, tendons, and bones.
These burns can be life-threatening and result in significant life-altering effects.
Complications from Accident Burns
Burns can be extremely painful and difficult to deal with at the moment, but they can also result in permanent and lifelong changes. Some of the most common complications from burns in a car accident include:
- Infections
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Respiratory problems
- Amputation
- Bone and joint issues
When accident burns are serious, the physical and mental damage can take quite a toll. Additionally, you’ll face extensive financial burdens, as severe burns require medical treatment well into the future.
Compensation for Burns from a Car Accident
If you sustain burns in a car accident, you’ll want to pursue monetary recovery to cover your injuries, expenses, and financial losses. Damages can serve to reimburse you for necessary expenses as well as provide compensation for relevant losses that you have incurred or will incur in the future.
Some of the damages you may be eligible to receive after your car accident include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
There is usually no “average” settlement you can expect to receive after suffering burns in a collision. Because every case is unique, no two settlement amounts are the same. How much your case settles for depends on your particular circumstances and the value of your case.
Several factors play a part in determining how much your case is worth. These can include:
- The extent and severity of your burns
- Whether you suffered additional injuries
- Whether you’ve lost time at work due to your injuries
- Whether your injuries will affect your ability to work
- The cost of your medical expenses
- Whether you’ll require medical treatment in the future
Your car accident lawyer can thoroughly review these and other details to accurately calculate your damages. Determining the damages you’re entitled to receive is critical to ensure you obtain the compensation you need and deserve after suffering burns in a car crash.
The Joel Bieber Firm Wants to Fight for Your Right to Compensation
Suffering burns can change your life entirely. For this reason, the legal team at The Joel Bieber Firm is dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting aggressively for fair financial recovery.
We’re here for you every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation with a car accident lawyer.
Interesting Read:
The Most Common Types of Catastrophic Injuriy
Should I Hire a Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
Seek Justice for Harm Suffered from a Vehicle Manufacturer Defect