Fires are not a particularly common result of car accidents. However, when they do occur, the consequences can be severe. If the victim is lucky enough to survive, recovering from tissue damage that results from car accident burns can take years of costly medical treatment. Some people who suffer burns in vehicle collisions end up with permanent disabilities that prevent them from ever being able to work again.
Many people are even less fortunate. The National Fire Protection Agency notes that 18 percent of fire-related deaths in 2020 occurred in vehicle fires.
If you have received burns in a car accident in Georgia, or if someone you love lost their life in a vehicle fire due to the recklessness or negligence of another party, the experienced Georgia car accident attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. are here to help.
We can support your claim for financial compensation for your medical costs, lost wages due to missed work, and the physical and psychological pain and suffering that your injuries have caused. We can also assist with a wrongful death claim if you have lost a loved one.
Call us today at (770) 205-8827 or reach out online for a free case evaluation. We will help you understand what your legal options are.
What Causes Fires in Motor Vehicles?
Even with the advent of electric cars, the majority of motor vehicles on the road are powered by gasoline. There are certain situations in which this fuel can ignite into a serious fire. Some of the most common causes of vehicular fires are:
- Defects in the car – Sometimes, flaws in the design or the manufacturing of a vehicle create a greater risk of fire. While the defects may not lead to spontaneous fires on their own, the impact of a crash in conjunction with the mechanical or electrical flaw may trigger flames to ignite.
- Motor vehicle collisions – Sometimes, the sheer force of a collision can cause damage to certain components of the car. As a result, flammable liquids such as gasoline may spill out or explode if sparks begin to fly.
- Poor vehicle maintenance – Unaddressed problems with your or another driver’s vehicle, such as engine malfunction, can lead to potentially flammable conditions.
- Electric system failures – Faulty wires in the vehicle’s electric system may create serious fire hazards.
Types of Injuries Resulting from Car Fires
Like all burns, car fire burns are classed in three different degrees:
- First-degree burns – This type of burn affects only the outer layer of the skin, also known as the epidermis. First-degree burn sites are red and painful, but they do not exhibit any blistering.
- Second-degree burns – These burns also involve the epidermis, but the underlying layer (the dermis) is also affected. Second-degree burns appear red and blistered and may be swollen as well.
- Third-degree burns – The most severe type of burn destroys both the epidermis and the dermis. Third-degree burns can also affect the soft tissue, muscles, and even bones. New skin is unable to grow after third-degree burns.
Second and third-degree burns always require medical attention. The most severe burns can cause permanent disfigurement. Because skin will not grow back on its own, these burns require intensive and expensive skin graft operations and long-term care. Many burn victims experience chronic pain for long periods of time. Some third-degree burns even prove fatal.
Psychological Pain and Suffering
Unfortunately, the pain and suffering that burn victims feel often goes beyond the physical. Because of the physical disfigurement that third-degree burns cause, people can feel an immense burden of psychological suffering. This comes about due to self-consciousness about how others may perceive them, as well as often being unable to recognize themselves.
Who Is at Fault for a Car Accident Burn Injury?
Determining fault for injuries sustained in a car fire requires close examination by both legal professionals and experts. This will help determine whether the primary cause of the fire was a flaw in the design of the vehicle, in addition to the negligence or recklessness of the driver who caused the accident.
If a vehicle’s fuel tanks, radiators, electrical wiring, or exhaust systems were not designed and constructed well enough to maintain their integrity in the event of an accident, they could contribute to the likelihood of a fire. If these systems fail when there is a collision, the manufacturers of the vehicle have not lived up to their legal obligation to make their product safe for the road. This means that they could be held accountable in addition to the at-fault driver.
What Could Vehicle Burn Victims Claim Compensation For?
If you have been injured in a vehicular fire, you are entitled to file a claim for expenses related to your burn-related medical treatments and rehabilitation. You may also be able to receive compensation for lost wages or income due to being temporarily or permanently unable to work. Additionally, you may be eligible to claim remuneration for the physical and psychological pain and suffering you have endured. In the case of egregious conduct on the part of an automobile manufacturer, you may qualify for punitive damages as well.
Contact an Experienced Georgia Burn Injury Attorney Today
Have you recently received burns in a car accident that wasn’t your fault? Has someone you love lost their life in a vehicular fire? If so, the legal team at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. understands how important it is to achieve some degree of justice.
While there are many horrible similarities between car accident burn injury cases, each claim is unique. We take the time to listen to each of our clients and come up with a winning strategy that is personalized for their case. and If you would like to understand what kinds of damages you might be able to claim due to injuries you received in an automobile fire, contact the experienced Georgia car accident attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. for a free case evaluation.
Our skilled and knowledgeable team can investigate the cause of your automobile fire and determine which party or parties may be liable. You won’t be charged any fees unless and until we recover compensation for your case.
Don’t wait. Call our offices at (770) 205-8827 or use the online contact form to get in touch with us today.