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When you are in a car accident, injuries can range from mild aches and pains to broken bones, brain damage, and devastating burn injuries. If your skin is burned in a crash, you may need extensive medical care and long-term assistance. The legal team at Cecere Santana are experienced litigators and fight to protect your rights in the courtroom. We represent clients from Plantation and Fort Lauderdale to West Palm Beach and Miami-Dade
Causes of Car Fires and Burns
Driver error, manufacturer defects, and extenuating circumstances are the catalysts for most car fires. Being aware of situational factors can help Broward County motorists minimize the potential of a car fire.
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- Leaking fuel tank -Depending on the accident’s unique circumstances, a fuel tank can leak or explode, creating a situation where items in and around the vehicle can become dangerous projectiles. Occupants of a burning car can become trapped, often with deadly results.
- Colliding vehicles – When two or more automobiles come together with significant force, there is a risk of rupturing one or more fuel tanks, creating a fire. This situation can be lethal for anyone in the cars or nearby.
- Defective auto parts – Faulty wiring, leaking fluids, seat heater, electrical, or cigarette lighter malfunctions are all factors that can result in a car fire.
- Smoking – The interior of a car can contain several flammable materials. When in a confined space, hot ash from a cigarette or lighter can ignite a fire that spreads rapidly, threatening everyone in the car.
How Burn Injuries Occur in Car Accidents
Only a small percentage of car accidents result in a car fire. However, the damage they cause to vehicle occupants can be devastating. Four types of burns can arise from a crash.
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- Electrical burns occur when the vehicle’s electrical system throws sparks if damaged. There could be a few flares, or they may occur in a shower of sparks. In each case, the energy is powerful enough to cause electrical burns.
- Scalding occurs when the hot water or steam from the damaged radiator leaks onto the car’s passengers.
- Thermal burns often result when the car’s occupants come into direct contact with fire or a hot surface, such as the dashboard, door handle, or window.
- Respiratory burns occur when occupants inhale smoke from the fire.
Treatment for Burn Injuries
The treatment for burns after a car crash depends on the severity of the injury. First-degree burns damage the outer layer of the skin. They cause pain and redness but can usually heal on their own. Second-degree burns damage multiple layers of skin and causes blisters, swelling, and severe pain. Deep burns could cause scarring.
If the injury reaches the fat layer underneath the skin, it can destroy nerves causing numbness. The skin may have a leathery appearance. Controlling the pain, preventing infection, reducing scarring, and removing dead tissue is critical.
One or more procedures may be needed if severe burns cover more than 10% of the body, such as:
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- Breathing assistance
- Feeding tubes
- Skin grafts
- Multiple surgeries
- Physical therapy
Depending on the amount of area burned and its severity, accident victims can require intensive rehabilitation. It could take months or years of treatment to regain mobility and learning to manage the pain.
Lawyers for People with Burns from Car Accidents
Several factors contribute to a car accident fire. Forensic investigators scrutinize every aspect of the crash, from the burned parts to reconstructing the events leading up to the collision. South Florida burn injuries attorneys at Cecere Santana often work closely with investigators to determine if a design flaw in the fuel system, electrical wiring, or other sources were at fault.
Whether the manufacturer was at fault or the fire was caused by the accident, the experienced team at Cecere Santana will fight for your rights. We work to obtain a settlement that can help you pay for accident-related costs, such as medical expenses, missed wages, months of rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. Contact us or call 800-753-5529 to schedule a free consultation. We can meet with you at the hospital, home, or work.
Featured Image: Shutterstock / Gorodenkoff
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