What Health Risks Are Associated With Burn Injuries from Car Accidents?

Car accidents occur in a matter of moments, but the consequences can last a lifetime. Beyond the physical and emotional trauma of the initial impact, burn injuries inflicted during a crash bring their own set of complex health challenges. 

As flames erupt from compromised fuel systems and surfaces superheat on impact, our bodies become unwilling. They refuse to sacrifice to the laws of physics and chemistry.

For those who suffer burns, the true battle begins – a fight against infection, scarring, and complications that can emerge years down the road. This article explores the often overlooked but profoundly impactful health risks that emerge in the aftermath of burn trauma from motor vehicle collisions. 

Introduction to Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are, unfortunately, quite prevalent. Approximately every 60 seconds, an individual in the United States sustains a burn serious enough to necessitate medical care. On rare occasions, burns can even result in fatality. 

As per UChicago Medicine, young people are particularly susceptible to these sorts of injuries. This is partly because of their reliance on adults for supervision and safety, as their motor and cognitive abilities are still developing.

Each day, over 300 young burn victims seek treatment at emergency rooms nationwide. In fact, burns rank among the top ten causes of unintentional harm for children under 5 years old. (The youngest age groups face the greatest danger.) Those 16 years old and under account for over 25% of all admissions to facilities specialized for burn care.

Burns can affect anyone unexpectedly, but some populations are statistically more prone than others. Younger and older individuals tend to face greater risk. For children and teenagers, common causes stem from interacting with heat sources used in cooking or explosives like fireworks without proper caution. Spilled pots of boiling water and oil pose a hazard. This age range also shows higher rates of sun exposure injuries. 

Additionally, car accidents can result in severe burns for children and elders alike, particularly from hot engine parts, airbag deployment, or fuel fires. These burns can be especially dangerous due to their proximity to vital organs.

Elders can be more vulnerable to burns when engaging in daily living activities involving appliances, heated liquids, or flames. Oftentimes, simple awareness and safety precautions tailored for specific stages of life can help curb accidental burns. Overall, education remains key to prevention.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Vehicle Accidents

It is not typical for a car to catch fire following an incident. However, there are some scenarios where fire can occur. They include a punctured fuel tank or a plane making an emergency landing into a vehicle. Electric vehicles also pose burn risks, as their high-voltage lithium-ion batteries can be difficult to extinguish once ignited.

However, burns can happen even if the vehicle does not catch fire. Something as common as an airbag deploying can cause burns, as airbags release sodium hydroxide. Explosions within the vehicle from batteries or leaking fluids are also risks. Electrical issues after a crash increase burn risks from live wiring or circuits.

Some non-fire-related burns we often see include:

• Scald burns from hot liquids or steam released during an accident. In fact, as per a study, the most common causes of thermal burns are hot liquids, steam, flames, and electricity. Risk factors include young age due to risk of scalding and male gender due to occupational risks. Burns can range in depth from superficial redness to full-thickness damage through the skin layers. Deeper and more extensive burns pose higher risks and complicate recovery.
• Inhalation burns from breathing in smoke or chemicals like battery acid fumes.
• Electrical burns when a person comes into contact with charged metal or downed power lines after being ejected from a vehicle.

Categories of Burn Severity

Burn injuries are evaluated based on the depth and extent of damage. The main classifications are:

First-Degree Burns

The most superficial, impacting just the outer epidermal layer. Symptoms are mild redness and discomfort. Flash burns from accident heat exposure may result.

Second-Degree Burns

Deeper burns involving both the epidermis and underlying dermal layer. Blistering commonly occurs along with pain and discoloration. Scarring is possible if there is deep dermal involvement. 

Based on typical clinical findings, second-degree burns make up the majority of burn cases encountered in practice. As per Oxford Academic, initial research has shown second-degree burns represent around 85.4% of all burn injuries. Of those second-degree burns, over half – approximately 56.3% – involve burns covering less than 10% of the total body surface area (TBSA). Second-degree burns affecting a small TBSA are thus the most commonly observed type of burn injury.

Third-Degree Burns

Serious burns penetrate through all epidermal and dermal layers into fat and deeper tissues. The skin turns blackened and leather-like. Nerve damage often leads to numbness in the area.

Fourth-Degree Burns

The most severe type is damage to all skin layers through muscles and potentially bones. Fourth-degree burns are usually life-threatening due to extensive tissue destruction. Intensive medical care is required, and recovery is a long process.

Proper classification of burn depth assists medical professionals in determining appropriate treatment to minimize harm and maximize healing outcomes. Burn severity plays a role in accident injury claims.

Can You Claim Compensation for a Burn Injury?

Absolutely, you can seek compensation for a burn injury sustained in an accident. Burn injuries can be highly debilitating and come with significant medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing rehabilitation needs. It’s important for victims to know that they have legal recourse.

Let us share an example from Atlanta. Two years ago, Gutierrez was visiting friends in Orange County on winter break when he was involved in a near-fatal car accident. As per ABC7, he lost both of his legs and suffered from severe burns. In cases like this, the victims not only have to battle the physical and emotional trauma of recovery. They also face a daunting legal burden.

According to the Atlanta Personal Injury Law Firm, seeking legal help from local and seasoned lawyers would be the best course of action. The legal professionals can guide you through the process and ensure you know the statute of limitations in your jurisdiction. You might not be able to pursue the compensation you are entitled to if you do not submit your claim within the allotted time.

By working with a skilled personal injury lawyer, burn injury victims can focus on their physical and emotional healing. At the same time, the legal team handles the complex claims process on their behalf. 

FAQs

How can the size of a burn quickly be estimated?

A: The “rule of nines” method is commonly used. It divides the body into percentage areas. The front and back of the head/neck each equal 9%, and the front and back of each arm/hand also equal 9% individually. This allows emergency responders to gauge severity.

What internal systems can burns affect?

A: Serious burns create complex injuries beyond the skin damage. Burns can impact muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels underneath. The respiratory system is also vulnerable, with potential airway issues, failure, or arrest from inhalation of smoke or hot gases. Proper treatment aims to address both external and internal injury risks.

How long do different burn types take to heal?

A: Most minor first—or second-degree burns covering small areas will heal within 1-2 weeks, avoiding scarring. Some second-degree burns may cause temporary darker or lighter skin that returns to normal within 6-9 months. 

While burn injuries from car accidents happen rarely, their impact can be severe and long-lasting. For victims, overcoming the physical and emotional toll is just the beginning of a difficult journey. It is crucial that they know help and compensation are available. 

By understanding the health risks and pursuing legal recourse, burn survivors take an important step toward finding justice. This helps them rebuild their lives after such traumatic events. Though scars may remain, with proper support, no one has to face burn recovery alone.