Thermal burns occur when the skin comes into contact with extreme heat, causing damage to tissues and potentially affecting deeper layers of the body. While thermal burns can have many causes, car crashes present a unique risk due to the combination of high temperatures, flammable materials, and the violent forces involved.
How Thermal Burns Occur in Car Accidents
In a car accident, thermal burns can happen in several ways. The most obvious source is fire resulting from ruptured fuel lines or damaged batteries. When these flammable substances ignite, they can quickly engulf a vehicle, exposing occupants to intense heat and flames. Even if occupants escape quickly, brief contact with fire can cause severe burns.
Even without a visible fire, contact with hot surfaces like deployed airbags, scalding fluids, or metal components can cause burn injuries. During a collision, these components can reach extremely high temperatures. If a person’s skin comes into contact with these surfaces, it can result in serious burns.
Long-Term Care and Complications of Thermal Burns
The severity of thermal burns can range from minor first-degree burns to life-threatening third-degree burns, each requiring different levels of medical intervention and long-term care. Depending on the extent of the injury, victims may require:
- Skin Grafts: Severe burns often require skin grafts, where healthy skin is transplanted to cover the burned areas. This promotes healing and reduces the risk of infection.
- Pain Medications: Burn victims often need medications to cope with the intense and often chronic pain associated with their injuries.
- Reconstructive Surgeries: Multiple surgeries may be necessary to restore function and appearance, especially in cases that involve significant disfigurement.
- Infection Treatment: Burn victims are at high risk for infections and often require ongoing antibiotic treatments and careful wound care.
- Rehabilitation: Physical and occupational therapy can help patients regain strength, flexibility, and the ability to perform daily tasks.
Complications from thermal burns can be severe. Victims can sustain permanent and extensive scars, which can lead to both physical pain and emotional distress. Many survivors develop depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to the incident. In serious cases, victims can suffer from organ damage, particularly affecting the kidneys, lungs, or heart.
Seeking Compensation for Thermal Burn Injuries in Atlanta
Thermal burns can affect your life physically, emotionally, and financially. If someone else caused the crash that led to your injuries, you have the right to pursue a legal claim for the losses that you endured. However, securing fair compensation can be challenging, as other parties may attempt to minimize your recovery.
In these situations, you need an advocate in your corner. An Atlanta car accident lawyer can thoroughly investigate your case and gather crucial evidence to establish liability and the full extent of your damages. They can negotiate with insurance companies and defense lawyers, advocating aggressively for the compensation you need and deserve. An attorney can also provide the compassionate support you need during this difficult time and connect you with resources to support your recovery,
Get the Legal Help You Need to Recover from Thermal Burns
Thermal burns from car crashes can lead to severe, long-lasting injuries that can affect your life for years to come. Monge & Associates has the knowledge and resources to fight for the compensation that you deserve. Contact our office at (678) 535-3938 or toll-free at (888) 653-0605 to schedule a consultation and learn how we can support your recovery process.