Car crashes can expose people to a multitude of burn risks

Car crashes have a potential to cause serious burn injuries that disfigure and result in life-changing scarring and damage. As someone who has been in a serious collision, you may have some burns yourself.

Whether you have second or third-degree burns, which can be extremely serious, it’s important to get the right medical care as soon as possible to start on the path to healing. Burns can take a long time to heal, and sometimes multiple procedures, such as skin grafts, are necessary.

The causes of burns in car crashes

There are a number of ways that burns can occur in car crashes. These include:

• Hot spilled drinks
• Battery acid from the vehicle’s battery or devices in the vehicle
• Radiator fluid/engine steam getting into the cabin
• Automobile fires
• Explosions
• Exposure to hot metal
• Electrocution
• Air bag deployment
• Contact with toxic or dangerous chemicals

Scald burns can happen from radiator fluid, and electrocution might happen if an exposed wire touches someone inside the vehicle. A full fire could start in some cases, and the victims inside the vehicle have to be moved quickly to avoid fatal burn injuries.

Other potential causes of fires at crash scenes include spilled chemicals, such as gasoline or petroleum, which may cause an acid burn on the skin. If there are any chemical spills, then burns could come from vapors, which may injure the eyes or airways.

What should you do if you are burned in a collision?

If you’re burned in a crash, you need to seek medical attention. Once you receive care to stabilize your condition, remember that you may be able to obtain compensation from the at-fault driver to cover your short-term and long-term expenses.