Severe Burn Injuries In Motor Vehicle Accidents  

Burn injuries in motor vehicle crashes happen far more often than people realize and can have catastrophic or deadly results for drivers and occupants of the vehicles involved.

Fires can turn vehicles into death traps.

Even a minor motor vehicle accident is a highly traumatic experience for everyone involved. If a crash also causes a car to catch fire, the situation can, in no time, turn life-threatening. Victims may endure severe burn injuries. 

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), twenty percent of all fires reported to the fire department are vehicle fires. The NFPA estimates that thirty-three cars in the country catch on fire every hour.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) states that moderate to severe burn injury treatment can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. 

While burns are less frequent in auto accidents than other injuries, they are more likely to result in catastrophic injuries and fatalities. 

Scalds, flash burns, friction burns, smoke inhalation burns, chemical burns, electrical burns, and thermal burns are various kinds of burns victims suffer in auto accidents. 

Complications From Severe Burns

Complications from untreated burn injuries include infection, dehydration, permanent scars, amputation, and even death.

Complications during or after burn injury treatment are always a possibility. Even after adherence to treatment protocols, a patient may suffer complications, including fluid loss, sepsis, acute respiratory problems, amputations, scarring, and infections. 

Causes Of Burn Injuries In Motor Vehicle Accidents

Leading causes of motor vehicle accident-related burn injuries include the impact of a collision starting a fire, exposure to chemicals, electrical current, or an open flame, and fires due to poor vehicle maintenance, leaking chemical fluids, electrical issues, leaks in the fuel system, short circuits, overheated engines, manufacturing defects, and design flaws. 

If a fire reaches the most explosive area of the car, the fuel tank, it could lead to a blast. 

Insurance 

If your vehicle caught fire due to an accident with another car or object, your auto collision insurance will cover your damages. If you have comprehensive car insurance coverage, this policy will protect you from damage caused by any force of nature, vandalism, fire-related losses, and other non-collision losses.

It is common practice amongst insurance companies to investigate claims on suspicion of fraud. In most instances, the investigation is part of the company’s due diligence process. 

Liability For Burn Injuries After An Accident

Determining liability for burn injuries in auto accidents can be difficult and requires a thorough investigation into what happened. If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, they may be liable for your medical bills and other related expenses. However, more than one party may be responsible for damages. Vehicle owners may share liability if the collision was due to poor maintenance. Car manufacturers, if the crash is due to a defective part. Service providers, such as a repair shop, if mechanics poorly did repair work. 

If another motorist caused the collision leading to the burn injuries, the at-fault driver might be liable for your medical bills, loss of income, and pain and suffering. 

Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers: Louisiana Lawyers Exploring Every Option To Maximize Compensation For Clients  

Burns are not just physically painful. Burn injuries can affect a person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being. 

Recovering from burn injuries takes time. More than anything else, treatments require a significant amount of money. 

Due to the high potential for disfigurement, scarring, and emotional trauma, adequate compensation is of paramount importance in motor vehicle accident-related burn injuries. 

It is vital to address both the physical and psychological effects of burn injuries.

A Louisiana car accident lawyer at Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers can guide you in seeking the best possible compensation available in your case. Our team of lawyers will anticipate the common challenges you could face as you recover physically and financially and guide your case through those challenges.

If the other party or their insurers try to deny your claim for compensation or claim that your injuries aren’t severe, the lawyers at our Louisiana personal injury law firm enlist the services of accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and financial planners to demonstrate how the accident happened, the extent of your damages and how much compensation you deserve to recover for your burn injuries and property damage. 

If you or a loved one have suffered severe burn injuries in a car accident anywhere in Louisiana, it is essential to consult with a knowledgeable car accident attorney.

At Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers, our experienced lawyers can comprehensively evaluate the facts and evidence in your case and work with investigators to establish the cause of the accident and the burn injuries that resulted from it. 

In Louisiana, victims of car accidents have only a year to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. 

Call us immediately to schedule a free initial consultation.