Burn injuries affect many people across the U.S. every year, but did you know that those who experience a car accident can also experience these serious, sometimes-fatal injuries as well? There are many ways that somebody could fall victim to burn injuries after being involved in a serious car accident. In fact, there are many types of burns that could occur:
- Heat burns, which are one of the most common types of burns that can affect a car accident victim that are caused by open flames or contact with the hot surface of a vehicle that is on fire
- Electrical burns, which can happen when power lines and external equipment that is part of a vehicle’s electrical system comes into contact with the driver or passenger
- Chemical burns, which can happen when a truck carrying hazardous materials is involved in an accident with another person
The truth is, just looking at a burn you have sustained in a serious car accident is never enough to see how serious the burn truly is. Receiving treatment after your accident is one of the only ways that you can tell the severity of a burn and the impact it will leave on your life.
How Serious Are the Burn Injuries?
If you have sought medical treatment after one of these accidents, your doctor will tell you the extent of your burn injuries. There are various types of degrees, all the way from first-degree to fourth-degree burns. A first-degree burn only affects the outer layer of your skin and could cause redness and pain, but usually, they don’t bring long-term damage. Second-degree burns also affect the layer underneath the first and could cause your skin to contain blisters and hurt to the touch. Second-degree burns could cause scarring.
By third-degree burns, you are looking at some of the most serious burns where medical attention is definitely necessary, as they could cause permanent damage. These types of burns tend to not hurt because they damage nerve endings. Fourth-degree is the most severe of all burns and can be life-threatening. Not only do these burns destroy all layers of the skin, but it also wreaks havoc on your bones, muscles, and tendons. No matter what, it is always a good idea to seek help from a medical professional after one of these injuries.
What You Can Expect from a Claim
It is sometimes difficult to make a prediction of what you can expect from your claim if you have been burned in a car accident. Many of the factors that these cases are dependent on happen to be the severity of the injury, the intentions and recklessness in your case, and the amount that another person can pay into your claim. Burns can easily cause emotional pain as you struggle to come to terms with your accident and deal with the embarrassment that follows. You might have been left disfigured due to these injuries, which can follow you through life and keep you from many aspects you once enjoyed. This is why it is important to speak with an experienced attorney about your options during this difficult time.
At Katz Kantor Stonestreet & Buckner, we want to hear from you after you have been injured in a car accident case and need experienced and dedicated help on your side. From gathering evidence all the way through to settlement and trial, you don’t want to stand alone during this difficult time. Contact us to find out what we can do for you in your time of need at (304) 713-2014.
Note: This post was created with the help of secondary sources operating independently from Katz, Kantor, Stonestreet & Buckner Law Firm. The information used from these sources has not been independently confirmed by our staff. If anything included in these posts is incorrect, please inform us and we will promptly correct the post.
Disclaimer: Our intent with these posts is to honor the victims of these terrible accidents and inform the public about how to avoid these accidents and what to do in the event of one. This information should not be considered legal or medical advice.
