When you have been involved in a car accident, you can sometimes expect burn injuries. You never expect your vehicle to catch fire in the event of an accident, but sometimes it still happens regardless. Because of the most severe car accidents, you could end up with first, second, or third-degree burns that could lead to significant scarring down the road. Here is an overview of each of the serious burns that can take place in a car accident:

  • First-degree: Burns that are not as serious as the other two, and should heal on their own within a week. They usually do not lead to scars.
  • Second-degree: These burns heal in about two or more weeks, and sometimes leave a scar that could fade in time.
  • Third-degree: Third-degree burns are the worst type of burns and can take months or even years to heal. They almost always leave significant scars and you could require a skin graft or other medical procedures to minimize their effect.

The Effect Severe Burns Have on You 

burn injuries Whether or not you receive scarring from an accident depends on how severe the burns are. When you get into the realm of third-degree burns, you should expect that there will be some type of scarring, but the degree will depend upon how deep the burn went. There are two major types of scars that can come from burns. Keloid scars develop on some burn victims while they are healing, while contracture scars form from burns that have gone beyond the skin and burn both the nerves and the muscles, and are more serious than keloid scars.

When scars first form, it takes time for them to heal a bit before treatment can commence. Doctors will keep track of how the skin is healing and eventually take the leap into repairing the skin before healing has matured. Many victims of burn injuries realize that this is a long and sometimes painful process, as rehabilitation is always painful and trying. Scars might be disfiguring, which can take an emotional toll on somebody who suffered due to an accident. If you are somebody who has suffered due to burns in a car accident, you may find that there comes a financial strain from burns and scars, which will require multiple surgeries and doctor’s appointments in the worst cases.

Because these injuries are especially debilitating on a physical and emotional level, you could receive thousands of dollars through settlement or the court process for your injuries. However, there are many variables at play in these accidents. Is the scar on a young person or older person? Is the scarring on a place that can be easily viewed of the public? An experienced accident attorney will be able to help you get the most out of your burn and scarring case. At the Accident Law Group, we care about your case and want to help you through the most difficult times. Call us for more information on how we can help at 602-262-4254.

Sources

https://www.healthline.com/health/burn-scars#recovery

https://www.medicinenet.com/scars/article.htm#what_is_the_treatment_for_a_scar