Vehicle accidents are among the most common causes of serious burn injuries in the US. When collisions cause a fire, an explosion, or electrical malfunctions, victims may suffer burns that change their lives. These injuries can require extensive medical care, multiple surgeries, and years of rehabilitation. For victims, the physical pain is only part of the struggle—the emotional trauma and financial burden can last a lifetime.
Tyler Fleck represents those injured in vehicle accidents and family members of those killed in them to obtain compensation for their losses from insurance companies or the parties involved. If you’d like to talk about your situation and how Tyler Fleck can help, please call him at (270) 446-7000.
How Do Vehicle Crashes Cause Burn Injuries?
Burns can occur in many ways during or after a crash, including the following:
- A ruptured fuel tank or leaking gas line can ignite after impact, especially if sparks from metal or exposed wiring come into contact with spilled fuel
- Electric vehicles whose batteries malfunction or are damaged in an accident can overheat and start a fire. The lack of power may make it impossible for the driver or passengers to open a door or window to escape, trapping them inside a burning vehicle
- Airbags save lives, but a small chemical explosion triggers their rapid inflation. The hot gases or byproducts released can cause first- or second-degree burns, particularly to the face, neck, and arms
Each of these scenarios can lead to different types and degrees of burn injuries, which may require emergency care or long-term medical intervention. Burns are classified by degree, with the first being minor and the fourth potentially life-threatening.
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How are Burn Injuries Treated?
Proper burn injury treatment starts the moment after the accident. Immediate care should focus on stopping the burning process, preventing infection, and stabilizing the victim’s condition. Moderate to severe burns almost always require hospitalization, often in a specialized burn unit.
- Burned skin doesn’t retain fluids, which can cause dehydration and shock. Intravenous fluids are used to maintain blood flow and prevent organ failure
- Dead tissue is removed to promote healing and prevent infection
- Special dressings with silver or other agents help control bacterial growth to prevent infections
- Strong pain medication or sedation may be needed during dressing changes or procedures
- For deep or extensive burns, healthy skin is transplanted from another area of the body or from a donor
- Victims who inhaled smoke or toxic fumes may need oxygen or mechanical ventilation
- Severely burned victims require a high-protein, high-calorie diet to rebuild damaged tissue
After the wounds close, rehabilitation begins. Physical and occupational therapy help restore strength and flexibility. Psychological support is often needed because many burn victims suffer post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression due to the pain, disfigurement, and long recovery process.
What are the Long-Term Effects of Serious Burn Injuries?
Severe vehicle-related burns can cause lifelong complications that affect nearly every aspect of a survivor’s life.
- Scarring and Disfigurement
Healing burns often result in tight, thick scars that alter appearance and limit movement. These scars may need laser treatments, surgery, or pressure garments, and they rarely disappear entirely. The emotional toll of disfigurement can be profound and lead to social withdrawal or depression.
- Contractures and Loss of Mobility
If scar tissue tightens across joints, it can severely restrict movement. Victims may have trouble walking, bending, or using their hands. Ongoing physical therapy and sometimes surgical procedures are required to release tight skin and restore function.
- Nerve Damage and Chronic Pain
Nerve endings can be destroyed or permanently damaged, resulting in numbness or chronic pain described as burning, tingling, or stabbing sensations. Managing this pain often requires long-term medication and therapy.
- Respiratory Complications
Smoke and chemical inhalation can scar airways and lungs, and lead to chronic breathing difficulties or voice changes. Some victims need ongoing respiratory therapy.
- Temperature Regulation Problems
Burned areas may lose sweat glands and blood vessels, leaving victims unable to regulate body temperature. This can make them vulnerable to overheating or hypothermia.
- Amputation and Loss of Function
If heat or fire destroys muscles or bones, amputation may be necessary. Survivors may be permanently disabled, use prosthetics, and significantly change their lifestyle.
- Infections and Organ Damage
After initial recovery, burn survivors face a heightened risk of infection. In severe cases, bacteria entering through the wounds can lead to sepsis, which can cause long-term organ damage.
- Emotional and Psychological Trauma
The mental impact of a severe burn injury is enormous. Survivors often experience PTSD, depression, anxiety, and body image issues. Many require long-term therapy and support to rebuild confidence and adjust to their new reality.
- Ongoing Surgeries and Medical Care
A severe burn survivor may need years of reconstructive surgeries to improve appearance and mobility. Regular follow-up appointments and specialized treatments are common long after an initial hospitalization.
- Financial and Social Challenges
Recovery can be extremely costly. A burn victim may not return to work for months, or ever, because of pain, disability, or disfigurement. Lost income, along with medical bills, often creates overwhelming financial strain.
What are a Burn Victim’s Legal Options?
Several parties may be held legally responsible for an auto accident, depending on the facts of the crash and applicable law. An investigation may find one or multiple parties responsible for the accident. Their insurance coverage could provide compensation to the burn victim. If they also partially caused the crash, their recovery can be reduced by their share of the fault.
Tyler Fleck can help burn victims recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. In cases of catastrophic injury or permanent disability, we can also pursue damages for long-term care and loss of future earning capacity.
Burn injuries from vehicle accidents are among the most devastating forms of trauma a person can endure. The road to recovery is long and often filled with physical pain, emotional challenges, and financial obstacles. Victims deserve comprehensive support and fair compensation for the lifelong impact of these injuries.
What Comes Next?
If you suffer severe burns in a vehicle accident, get help from an experienced attorney. Call the Fleck Firm at (270) 446-7000 to schedule a free consultation today.
We can discuss the crash, your injuries, Kentucky law, and what you should do next. We will fully inform you of your rights, the challenges ahead, and the strengths of your case. Insurance companies have lawyers. You should have one, too.
