Although we have seen the effects of dramatic chases, car crashes and flaming cars in countless movies, most of us very rarely give it a second thought when out driving on the highway. Car accidents can happen to the most cautious of drivers, however, as all it takes is to be in the path of somebody who has lost control of their vehicle through thoughtlessness, reckless driving or a defective vehicle.
If you are burned through no fault of your own, contact a lawyer
It takes quite a lot for your own car to burst into flames, but it is more likely to happen if you have a collision with a truck carrying fuel or liquid chemicals. If you have had a serious accident in which you have suffered some degree of burns and the accident is somebody else’s fault, then it is time to contact a personal injury attorney with experience in car accidents and the effects of burns in particular.
Car accidents can cause extensive external burns to the skin and sometimes have serious effects on deeper parts of the body if the victim cannot get out of the burning wreckage easily or quickly.
All burns will take time to heal
Anybody who suffers from first degree burns, which are relatively superficial, should make a full recovery in time, but it will still have a substantial effect on their ability to go back to work.
Second degree burns will take much longer to treat and may need specialized surgery and skin grafts. The likelihood is that the accident victim is going to take a long time to recover and will have many more medical expenses, which may not be recovered from medical insurance.
The other possibility is that during the accident the person trapped in the car when it bursts into flame may suffer from toxic smoke inhalation, which can cause extensive internal burn effects to the sensitive lining of the respiratory system.
Car accidents are usually avoidable
None of these injuries should have ever happened, as most car accidents are avoidable. The only accidents that are hard to prevent are those caused by major geological or climatic forces such as earthquakes or tornados.
Burn victims deserve to be compensated adequately for their suffering. It will take a long time for anybody caught up in a burning car wreckage to recover their feeling of emotional security again and the loss of confidence may mean it is hard to get back behind the wheel, even when the physical scars have healed.
How damages are calculated
Your personal injury attorney will take into account the full cost of your injuries and prepare a comprehensive damages claim. Most damages take into account the following:
- pain and suffering caused by the accident
- medical costs now and projected into the future
- loss of earnings until ready and available to return to work.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, learn how to protect your rights with a free consultation. Contact our experienced Lawyers in Philadelphia.
