.jpg)
Each year, 1.19 million people die in road traffic crashes. In major accidents, fuel tanks can rupture and burn in a collision, electrical systems can short-circuit, and heated engine fluids can ignite, turning a collision into a traumatic event.
These hazards can lead to fires or even explosions, resulting in injuries that can range from broken bones to severe burns, often leaving victims with permanent scarring, disfigurement, and long-term disabilities.
The most common causes of car accidents are traffic congestion, reckless driving, faulty traffic lights, careless bicyclists and pedestrians, weather conditions, and defective cars or car components resulting from negligent manufacturing. At The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary, we understand the gravity of the burn injuries you may suffer in a car accident. If your injuries were caused by a preventable fire due to a vehicle defect or someone else's negligence, it's crucial to speak with an experienced attorney right away to understand your rights and explore your legal options.
We have experience handling burn injury cases resulting from motor vehicle accidents and can help you build a strong case and hold the negligent parties accountable.
How Car Accidents Cause Burn Injuries
Burn injuries in motor vehicle accidents can happen through several mechanisms that include direct contact with flames from explosions, contact with hot surfaces or liquids, and even electrical malfunctions that can occur in car crashes.
1. Fires or Explosions After Impact
One of the dangers you are exposed to in a vehicle accident is fire or explosion, as fuel tanks, gas lines, plastic, and pressurized components can rupture during a collision.
Factors that can start fires or explosions:
- Engine compartments with plastic components
- Defective fuel systems
Collision fires can engulf a vehicle within seconds, often trapping victims inside, and can result in third-degree burns, respiratory damage, and even death.
2. Contact with Hot Engine Components or Fluids
Even when a crash does not result in an open fire, burn hazards may still arise from:
- Radiator steam or coolant leaks
- Engine oil and transmission fluids
- Heated exhaust pipes or manifolds
- Exposed metal components
Direct contact with hot surfaces or chemical fluids during a crash can lead to thermal or chemical burns.
3. Electrical Hazards or Wiring Failures
Electrical hazards can arise from damaged wiring and short circuits within the vehicle or other electrical failures, and passengers of the vehicle may suffer tissue damage and deep burns, including muscle spasms caused by electrical shock, or even worse, internal damage
Possible risk factors:
- Lithium-ion battery fires in electric vehicles
- Exposed wiring
- Defective electrical systems
Who Is Liable for Burn Injuries Resulting from a Vehicle Accident?
Depending on the circumstances of the collision, several parties may be held liable for your burn injuries, including negligent individuals in a circumstance where an accident happened due to unsafe property conditions, careless drivers who caused the crash, vehicle manufacturers for faulty design, and commercial car maintenance companies for inadequate vehicle maintenance.
At The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary, we examine accident reports, medical records, and expert assessments to ensure that you receive adequate legal compensation.
Compensation for Burn Injuries Acquired in a Motor Vehicle Accident
Burn injuries often require multiple surgeries, long-term care, and psychological support. Depending on the circumstances of your burn accident and the injuries you suffered, the compensation amount may vary. Sean M. Cleary, our burn injury lawyer, will build a strong case and fight to secure full compensation.
At The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary, we help injured victims file claims to recover the following:
- Medical expenses
- Emotional distress and PTSD
- Reduced earning capacity
- Permanent disability
- Pain and suffering
How The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary Can Help You
Legal action should be taken immediately after a car crash related burn injury has been acquired.
You need to collect the following evidence: medical documentation of the burn injury, photos of the crash scene and the injuries you suffered, a list of eyewitnesses, police and fire department reports, and any evidence of vehicle malfunctions or defects.
To preserve valuable data, avoid making repairs to the vehicle until our experts can analyze the circumstances of the collision. Once we receive the necessary documents, The Law Offices of Sean M. Cleary will evaluate your case for free.