Burn Injuries From Detroit Car Accidents Lawyer

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. Burn injuries during a car accident are some of the most common and can be severe.

Severe burns can result in the loss of limb(s), disfigurement, mobility loss, scarring, and recurrent infections. They can cause muscle, tissue, and organ damage, affecting every body system. Burn injuries can cause severe pain, impairment, disability, chronic and permanent medical conditions, depression, nightmares, PTSD, and other mental health issues. Unfortunately, many burns are fatal.

If you’re dealing with a burn injury after a car accident, you know how painful and difficult recovery can be. At Sommers Schwartz, we’re dedicated to helping Michigan motorists with burn injuries secure the compensation they deserve so they can plan for a brighter future.

Types of Burn Injuries in Car Crashes

Car accidents can cause several different types of burns, including:

Thermal (Heat) Burns

The most common burn injury typically suffered in car accidents is a thermal burn, also known as a heat burn. These occur when heat sources raise the temperature of the skin and tissues, causing cell death or charring. A car accident can cause a thermal burn if a vehicle overheats, catches fire, or explodes. Anyone near the fire may suffer a heat burn.

Thermal burns can be external, affecting the skin and exposed organs (“cutaneous burns”), or internal through inhalation. Some patients with extensive cutaneous burns develop acute lung injuries, even without inhalation injuries, due to the intense and severe inflammatory response.

Chemical Burns

Various chemicals help make vehicles run properly, including oil, coolant, and transmission fluid. If the car is damaged and these systems leak into the passenger compartment, a passenger may experience a chemical burn. Collisions involving semi-trucks or tankers carrying chemicals are particularly hazardous.

Chemical burns can cause external damage to the skin, eyes, and other exposed organs and internal damage to the lungs, throat, and other organs. Leaks or explosions can also endanger first responders and others outside the vehicle, sometimes a significant distance from the accident site.

Electrical Burns

Disruption of a car’s electrical system can cause a fire. Exposed live electrical wiring may also cause an electrical burn. Collisions with utility poles can bring live power lines into contact with vehicles or water sources near an accident, increasing the chances of electrical shock or burns.

Electrical burns are doubly dangerous: In addition to direct burn injuries, contact with electricity can disrupt the heart and other body systems.

Friction Burns

Friction burns occur when an object rubs against the skin and causes damage to the skin cells. Car accidents can cause several types of friction burns. A passenger may be violently pulled against something inside the car, such as a seat belt, resulting in a friction burn. Or they may experience “road burn,” when skin is damaged as a person’s body rolls or slides along the pavement. Like other burns, friction burns can cause severe pain, increase the risk of infection, and leave nasty scars.

How Common Are Burn Injuries From a Car Accident?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says vehicle fires are “an often-overlooked part of the fire problem.” In 2020, U.S. fire departments responded to vehicle fire calls once every 3 minutes and 3 seconds. Vehicle fires made up 15 percent of all fire department calls, causing 18 percent of all civilian fire deaths and 11 percent of civilian burn injuries. About 173,000 vehicles caught fire on public streets, often due to an accident, and triggered 12 percent of fire department calls.

A collision dramatically increases the risk of a vehicle fire. When a vehicle collides with another car, a person, an animal, or an object, its fuel and electrical systems can be damaged. Damage to these systems can easily result in the car catching fire, especially if sparks ignite gasoline or other flammable materials.

Despite concerns about fire suppression in newer electric vehicles, studies indicate that electric car fires are less common than other vehicle fires, even in an accident. However, when an electric vehicle does catch fire, the fire can be more challenging to control. Electric cars also rely on batteries that may leak and catch fire if damaged in a crash. Leaking battery fluids can also cause chemical burns.

Next Steps To Take After Suffering a Burn From a Detroit Car Crash

After any car accident, seek prompt medical attention. Follow your doctor’s instructions and attend all follow-up appointments.

You may have questions about what happened after arranging your medical care. You may wonder who is responsible or strongly suspect someone else’s negligence caused your injuries.

Consulting a car accident lawyer can help. An attorney with experience handling burn injuries from car accidents can help you see how the law applies to your case. Your lawyer can help you communicate with insurance companies, understand your legal rights, and pursue compensation for the harm you have suffered.

At Sommers Schwartz, P.C., our experienced burn injury attorneys strive to help our clients build a better future after a severe injury. Our legal team will dig into the details of your case and help you choose your next steps. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation.