Burn Injury May Be Caused By Catastrophic Accidents in Phoenix
A burn injury is one type of major injury that you might suffer after a catastrophic accident. Motor vehicle accidents can lead to extensive burn injuries that leave you with permanent side effects. Your Phoenix burn injury lawyers can help you recover damages from those who are responsible for causing the accident that injured you.
Motor Vehicle Accidents and Burn Injuries
A burn injury can result from motor vehicle accidents. In some cases, motor vehicles may catch fire, leading to burn injuries, although increased fire safety standards by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have reduced the number of these cases in recent years.
However, motor vehicle occupants still can suffer burns in car crashes from contact with hot metal or hot water or steam escaping from a damaged radiator. If a semi-truck involved in a crash is carrying toxic chemicals, then chemical burns also may be a concern.
Burn Injury Types
The Mayo Clinic distinguishes between three different types of burns, based on severity: first-degree burns, second-degree burns, and third-degree burns.
- First-degree burns involve only the outer layer of skin, causing redness and pain.
- Second-degree burns affect the top two layers of skin, leading to swelling, blisters, red, white, or splotchy skin, and permanent scarring in some cases.
- Third-degree burns reach to the fat layer below the skin, resulting in black, brown, or white leathery-looking areas. These burns are severe enough to destroy nerves, which can lead to numbness.
Burns also pose a significant threat of infection, particularly when they are widespread over a person’s body. The treatment for burns is extensive, time-consuming, and painful. For severe burns, significant scarring is likely unavoidable. Long-term care and extensive medical treatment may be necessary for victims of severe burns.
Liability for Burn Injuries Following Catastrophic Accidents
When you or a loved one is in a car accident and suffers a burn injury, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries. Various parties could be liable or financially responsible for the costs of your injuries, depending on the circumstances that led to your crash. Some of these parties might include:
- Drivers of other vehicles
- Employers of drivers of other vehicles
- Trucking companies who employ truck drivers involved in the accident
- Motor vehicle manufacturers
Knowing who is responsible for the accident that caused your burn injuries is not always straightforward. We can investigate the circumstances that led to your case and determine who is liable for your injuries. Together, we can pursue those liable parties for the compensation to which you are entitled to for your losses.
Damages in Burn Injury Cases
If you suffer burn injuries in a catastrophic accident, you may be eligible to collect various types of compensation. These damages differ according to your situation, but may include:
- Past and future medical expenses to treat your burns
- Lost income and future lost income if you must continue to have medical treatment or if you are unable to return to your previous occupation due to the extent of your injuries
- Repairs to or replacement of your vehicle damaged in the crash
- Pain and suffering that you have sustained as a result of the accident
While it can be challenging to place a precise dollar figure on some types of damages, we have the experience and knowledge to help you arrive at a figure that truly represents your losses following a catastrophic accident. We will advocate on your behalf to get you the compensation that you deserve for your losses.
Consult with Us After Your Catastrophic Accident and See How We Can Help
The Phoenix catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Gallagher & Kennedy, P.A., pride themselves on offering legal services for individuals and their families after they have suffered losses in an accident. We focus all our efforts on getting you compensation for the losses that you have suffered due to the negligence of others. Call us today at 602-530-8400 or visit us online and get more information about the legal services we can offer you.