The average person might not associate burn injuries with motor vehicle accidents, but it happens more often than you might think. These injuries range from mild to severe and may have lasting physical and emotional effects. Understanding different types of car accident-related burn injuries helps individuals recognize when they need medical attention and legal assistance.
What Are the Common Causes of Burns in Car Accidents?
Automobile crashes can lead to burns in different ways:
- Fuel system ruptures might release flammable liquids that ignite upon contact with hot engine parts or sparks.
- Airbag deployments sometimes cause friction burns as they rapidly inflate against skin.
- Overheated engine components, including radiator fluid, may spray or contact passengers during impact.
- The metal frame of the vehicle can become extremely hot during fires, burning individuals attempting to exit.
- Chemical burns might occur from battery acid leaks or other automotive fluids.
How Are Burn Injuries Classified?
Medical professionals categorize burns according to their severity:
- First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). These appear red and painful but typically heal within a week without scarring. Sunburn represents a common example of a first-degree burn.
- Second-degree burns damage both the epidermis and the layer underneath (dermis). These burns create blisters, intense pain, and swelling. Healing may take several weeks and sometimes leaves scars.
- Third-degree burns destroy all skin layers and reach underlying tissues. The affected area might appear white, charred, or leathery. These burns damage nerve endings, which sometimes results in numbness rather than pain. Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention and often necessitate skin grafts.
- Fourth-degree burns, the most severe category, extend beyond skin into muscle, tendons, and bone. These life-threatening injuries demand immediate emergency medical treatment and often require extensive surgical intervention.
What Long-Term Effects Do Burn Patients Experience?
Serious burns from car accidents often lead to long-lasting consequences. Physical effects include permanent scarring, limited mobility, nerve damage, and persistent pain. Many individuals require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and extensive rehabilitation.
The psychological impact can prove equally significant. Many people with visible burn scars experience anxiety, depression, and social isolation. Adjusting to changed appearance and physical limitations requires substantial emotional support and sometimes professional counseling.
What Medical Expenses Arise From Burn Treatments?
The financial burden associated with burn injuries often exceeds initial expectations. Emergency transport, hospital stays in specialized burn units, surgical procedures, and medications generate substantial bills. Ongoing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling add to these costs.
Many burn patients require additional surgeries years after the initial injury, particularly for scar revision or to address complications. Home modifications, adaptive equipment, and in-home care represent additional expenses for those with severe limitations.
How Can a Lawyer Help?
When burn injuries result from automobile collisions caused by another party’s negligence, legal representation proves valuable. Attorneys document all aspects of injury impact, work with medical professionals to project future treatment needs, and calculate appropriate compensation amounts.
Car accident lawyers also handle communications with insurance companies, gather evidence regarding fault, and present compelling cases for fair compensation. This allows injured individuals to focus on recovery rather than administrative burdens.
Our Brooklyn Car Accident Lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki Can Provide the Legal Assistance You Deserve
Our Brooklyn car accident lawyers at Rubenstein & Rynecki have helped numerous individuals obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain following serious accidents. For a free consultation, submit our online form or call 718-522-1020. Located in Brooklyn, we serve clients throughout New York City, including Brooklyn, The Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
