At Soffietti, Johnson, Teegen, Argueta, & Bawcum, Ltd., in Illinois, many of our clients have suffered grievous injuries as the result of motor vehicle crashes. Consequently, we know that one of the most catastrophic injuries you can suffer in a car crash is that of extensive burns. Burns can put you in the hospital for months as you undergo painful debridement and skin grafts to minimize the disfiguring scarring that burns usually cause. In fact, serious burns can leave you disfigured for life.
The American Burn Association reports that you can receive the following four distinct types of burns in a fiery car crash:
- Scald burns resulting from your body coming into contact with a hot liquid such as gasoline or even spilled coffee
- Chemical burns resulting from your body coming into contact with a caustic or corrosive substance such as transmission fluid, antifreeze, etc.
- Thermal burns resulting from your body coming into contact with the flames of the fire itself or with one of the interior surfaces of your vehicle that has become hot enough to burn you
- Electrical burns resulting from your body coming into contact with a live electrical wire, be it in your car or hanging from a downed power line
Burn degrees
While all burns can be serious, especially if they become infected, medical professionals rank burns from first- to fourth-degree based on the damage they cause and where it is located. A first- or second-degree burn damages only your skin and generally does not represent a serious burn. Rather, these are the types of burns you get when you remain out in the sun too long without the benefit of sunscreen.
Most fiery car crash victims suffer far more serious third- and fourth-degree burns, both of which are life-threatening and require immediate medical intervention and treatment. A third-degree burn will not only scorch your skin, but will also damage your underlying tissues. A fourth-degree burn will go even deeper into your body, burning your bones.
For further information, please visit this page of our website.
