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What injuries will you face in a fiery car crash?

On Behalf of | Jan 6, 2020 | Auto Accident Injuries

An Oklahoma motor vehicle accident can leave you with any number of serious injuries, but severe burns represent some of the most painful and catastrophic injuries you can suffer if your car bursts into flames. Not only do burns take a long time to heal, they also often leave disfiguring scars that even multiple plastic surgeries may not be able to erase. 

Per the American Burn Association, you likely will sustain the following four types of burns in a fiery car crash: 

  1. Thermal burns caused by the flames of the fire or by excessively hot surfaces inside your car 
  2. Electrical burns caused by live electrical wires either inside your car itself or by hanging power lines that come into contact with you and your car 
  3. Scald burns caused by excessively hot fluids 
  4. Chemical burns caused by antifreeze, steering fluid, etc. 

Degrees of burns 

Not only can you suffer various types of burns in a fiery car crash, they can produce various degrees of severity. For instance, first- and second-degree burns represent those that “only” singe your skin. Third-degree burns, on the other hand, do not stop with skin damage. The tissues, muscles, tendons and nerves underneath your skin may also suffer damage. The most serious burns, those in the fourth-degree category, even damage your bones. Both third- and fourth-degree burns represent life-threatening injuries for which you must receive immediate medical care and intervention. 

It goes without saying that your medical costs will skyrocket in the even you receive serious burns in your motor vehicle accident. You will face a significantly long stay in the hospital burn unit during which you will receive expensive and painful treatments and therapies including debridement, skin grafts and other surgeries. 

This is general educational information and not intended to provide legal advice. 

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