Although burn injuries are not typically associated with car accidents, they can be severe, life-threatening, or fatal when they occur. Burn injuries can be painful and lead to permanent scars, disfigurement, and disability.
Mechanical and electrical malfunctions can cause car fires. An overheated engine and broken parts can heat up and explode, as can improper wiring and defective batteries. Hybrid and electric cars have powerful batteries, and small sparks can cause them to ignite in accidents.
Fires also start when vehicles collide. When liquids like oil and fuel heat up past the boiling point, the vapors are hazardous, too. Hot steam and metal can also cause severe injuries.
The three categories of car accident burns are chemical, electrical, and thermal. Chemical burns come from fuel and battery acid exposure, and electrical ones from exposure to high-voltage equipment or electrical wires. Thermal burns are more common and happen when people are exposed to fire and heat.
Third-degree burns can be deadly. These penetrate deep down through the skin and can impact muscles and organs. Second-degree burns penetrate past the outer layer of the skin and are also quite painful. These two burns are more likely to have complications and infections. First-degree burns damage the outer layer of the skin and typically heal on their own or with minimal care. In addition to burns, car accident survivors can also be injured from smoke inhalation.
Who Is Liable for Car Accident Burn Injuries?
Determining liability in a car accident can be challenging when the source of the fire is unclear. If one driver was negligent, that person’s insurance provider might compensate a plaintiff, or the case might be heard in court. Sometimes, the liability might be placed on a manufacturer that sold defective car parts. It is crucial to examine these cases from different angles to determine the source of the fire and how those involved may have contributed to the crash.
Establishing evidence takes time, but with burn injuries, the priority is getting medical treatment. You may need to be taken to an emergency room in an ambulance. Following the physician’s orders and keeping records of all the treatment and associated expenses is essential. Reach out to a car accident lawyer as soon as you can, or have a trusted family member or friend help. Your lawyer can do all the work while you focus on your recovery.
Contact a Monmouth County Car Accident Lawyer at Mikita & Roccanova if You Suffered Burn Injuries in a Car Accident
No one should deal with painful burn injuries from a car accident. Contact an experienced Monmouth County car accident lawyer at Mikita & Roccanova for legal help. Call us at 732-705-3363 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Hazlet and Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients in Ocean County, Sussex County, Neptune, and Middlesex County.