How Can a Car Accident Cause Burn Injuries?

Bone fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and back injuries tend to be the injuries most associated with car accidents. Yet accident survivors can just as easily experience burns. Depending upon the severity of those burns, they may be left with serious scarring or disfigurement, as well as mounting medical bills.

How Burns Happen to Drivers and Passengers During Crashes?

Burns can be caused by heat, steam, electricity, or chemicals. Accordingly, drivers and passengers may be burned during and after crashes in a number of ways:

• During airbag deployment, chemicals from within the airbag may cause burns and irritation.
• Force, friction, or sparks may start a fire which can burn vehicle occupants.
• Errant electric wires from inside and outside the car (such as a “downed” electric line) can shock and burn accident survivors.
• Corrosive chemicals from the car battery or other equipment may splash inside the vehicle during the accident.
• Hot metal parts may come into contact with occupants’ skin.

Of course, these are just some of the countless ways that an accident-related burn injury can occur.

What Are Common Types of Burn Injuries?

After being burned in an accident, drivers and passengers may suffer any number of ailments depending on the severity and extent of the burn. In medicine, burns are categorized by “degree.” The higher the degree number, the more life-threatening and complex the burn.

First degree burns are limited to the outer layer of the skin. They generally need little treatment and follow-up. With that being said, first-degree burns can cause pain and discomfort, leading some first-degree burn accident survivors to take time off from work or other responsibilities to heal.

Second degree burns are more damaging than first-degree burns because they extend deeper into the skin. A second-degree burn may require skin grafts if it is deep enough. The burn may also lead to permanent scars.

Third degree burns can affect anything under the skin, including organs, nerves, and connective tissues. A third-degree burn is almost always going to leave some type of scar. Depending on the location of the third-degree burn, the survivor may require surgeries and therapy.

Fourth degree burns are the most severe of all burn types. Many people with fourth-degree burns are changed for life. Others end up succumbing to their fourth-degree burn injuries.

Is It Possible to Get Compensated for a Burn Injury?

If you or someone you love is burned in a car accident, you should get treatment right away. The earlier you see a healthcare provider, the better your chance of as successful a recovery as possible.

Document all your experiences, including medical appointments, any time you took off work, and even your mileage to and from doctor’s visits. Some people with burns keep journals to keep track of their pain levels. This information can be useful when submitting a claim to be compensated by an insurance company or negligent driver.

Sometimes, skeptical insurance providers show reluctance to fairly compensate for burn injuries even if you have proof that your injury was related to a crash. In that case, get in touch with a car accident lawyer. Most lawyers offer free consultations to people who have been hurt in crashes. After your consultation, you can decide whether to retain a lawyer to help you get the damages you deserve.

The Cates Law Firm, LLC Offers Crash-Related Burn Injury Survivors Free Consultations with a Belleville Car Accident Lawyer

Dealing with insurance companies after a crash that left you with serious burn injuries can be difficult. Speak with a Belleville car accident lawyer at The Cates Law Firm, LLC to learn more about your rights. Call us at 618-277-3644 or fill out our online form to schedule a confidential consultation. Our practice in Swansea, Illinois, serves accident survivors and their families from locations including Granite City, East St. Louis, Edwardsville, St. Louis, Madison County, Belleville, Carbondale, Monroe County, Waterloo, St. Clair County, Randolph County, and Chester.