Burn injuries from car accidents can be catastrophic–leaving victims with severe physical pain, emotional trauma, and staggering medical bills.
Whether caused by an explosion, fire, chemical burn, or defective product, the aftermath can involve extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation. If you or a loved one is a burn injury victim, you don’t have to face the legal and financial challenges alone.
At Zara Injury Law, our experienced burn injury attorneys understand the unique nature of burn injury cases. We help clients pursue full compensation for their burn injury claims, including damages for pain and suffering, lost wages, and ongoing care. Our skilled personal injury lawyers in Fayetteville will stand up to insurance companies and fight to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.
What Can Cause Burn Injuries in a Car Accident?
Burn injuries are among the most devastating outcomes of a car accident, often leading to long-term physical trauma, emotional distress, and substantial medical bills. At Zara Injury Law, our attorneys have helped victims recover compensation in a wide range of burn injury claims–each with its own causes and complexities.
Some of the most common causes of burn injuries in car accidents are the following.
Vehicle Fires and Explosions
Collisions can rupture fuel lines or tanks, leading to intense fires that trap drivers and passengers. These thermal burns often require extensive medical treatment and may result in permanent scarring or disfigurement.
Chemical Burns
Exposure to battery acid, leaked engine fluids, or hazardous cargo during a crash can cause chemical burns that damage skin and internal tissue. These injuries are especially common in commercial vehicle accidents or collisions involving industrial materials.
Electrical Burns
Defective wiring, malfunctioning airbags, or downed power lines from crash debris can result in serious electrical burns, which often affect deeper tissue and require complex skin grafts and surgical intervention.
Defective Products
Some burn injury cases stem from faulty vehicle components–such as a defective product in the electrical system, fuel delivery mechanism, or airbag deployment unit. When a product defect contributes to a fire or burn injury, victims may be eligible to pursue a burn injury lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Trapped Occupants and Delayed Rescue
In some crashes, victims are trapped in a burning vehicle or exposed to hazardous conditions for prolonged periods, increasing the severity of their injuries.
Types of Burn Injuries and Their Severity
Burn injuries from car accidents can vary widely in intensity, but all can result in serious physical damage, prolonged medical treatment, and emotional trauma. We understand how the severity of a burn directly affects the outcome of your burn injury claim–and we fight to ensure that every aspect of your injury is fully accounted for.
First-Degree Burns
These are superficial burns that affect only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). While painful, they typically heal with minimal medical intervention. However, if caused by a chemical burn or defective product, even first-degree burns may form the basis of a valid burn injury lawsuit.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns impact both the epidermis and the underlying dermis. These burns can result in blistering, swelling, and significant pain. Victims may require medical attention and risk scarring–especially if burns cover large areas or are located on sensitive parts of the body.
Third-Degree Burns
These are the most severe type of burns, destroying both skin layers and possibly affecting fat, muscles, or even bones. Victims often experience permanent tissue damage, require intensive medical treatment, including skin grafts, and may face lifelong disability. These injuries often lead to high-value burn injury cases due to the cost of care and the level of pain and suffering involved.
What to Do If You’re a Burn Injury Victim After a Car Accident
If you’ve suffered a burn injury in a car accident, your actions in the hours and days that follow can have a major impact on both your recovery and your ability to pursue compensation. Burn injuries are often severe, emotionally traumatic, and expensive to treat–so it’s critical to take the right steps early on.
Here’s what you should do.
1. Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Even minor burns can worsen over time or become infected. Severe burns may require hospitalization, skin grafts, or reconstructive surgery. Prompt and documented medical treatment is also vital for building a strong burn injury case.
2. Follow All Medical Advice and Keep Records
Carefully follow your doctor’s treatment plan and keep track of all medical bills, prescriptions, specialist visits, and rehabilitation. If you’re dealing with lost wages due to time off work, document those as well. This evidence will support your burn injury claim.
3. Preserve Evidence From the Accident Scene
If possible, take photos of the vehicle damage, fire or fluid leaks, your visible injuries, and any hazards that may have contributed to the burn–such as signs of a chemical burn or defective product.
4. Avoid Speaking Directly With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may try to downplay the severity of your injury or offer a quick, lowball settlement. Politely decline to make any statements or sign anything before speaking with an attorney.
5. Consult a Car Accident Lawyer With Burn Injury Experience
Because burn injuries often involve long-term care, permanent scarring, and extensive costs, they require a strategic and aggressive legal approach. An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand your options, file a claim, and fight for the full value of your case.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Burn Injury Case
Burn injuries are some of the most painful, costly, and life-altering outcomes of a car accident–and they often require a legal strategy that goes beyond standard injury claims. From navigating extensive medical treatment and fighting for long-term care costs, to identifying liability in cases involving a defective product or chemical burn, an experienced car accident lawyer plays a critical role in helping you recover.
Here’s how Zara Injury Law can support your burn injury case.
Investigating the Cause of the Burn Injury
We examine every detail of the crash–vehicle condition, accident reports, potential product defects, and whether hazardous materials were involved. Whether the injury resulted from an electrical burn, chemical burn, or fire, we gather the evidence needed to hold the at-fault party accountable.
Building a Strong Burn Injury Claim
We document the full extent of your injuries, from initial emergency care to skin grafts, reconstructive procedures, and rehabilitation. We also account for lost wages, future income loss, and the emotional toll of disfigurement or trauma. Our legal team ensures your burn injury claim fully reflects the true impact on your life.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to undervalue severe burn injuries or rush you into accepting a low settlement. We handle all communication and negotiation on your behalf to protect your rights and secure fair compensation.
Pursuing a Burn Injury Lawsuit (If Needed)
If a fair settlement isn’t possible, we’re prepared to escalate your claim. In cases involving a defective product or third-party negligence, we can file a burn injury lawsuit and take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to win.
Burn injuries often lead to a lifetime of medical needs, pain, and emotional recovery. You shouldn’t have to shoulder those burdens alone—especially when someone else is at fault.
Get the Support You Deserve After a Burn Injury
Burn injuries sustained in a car accident can change your life in an instant. From painful procedures and permanent scarring to lost income and emotional trauma, the road to recovery is long—and expensive. At Zara Injury Law, we understand the serious toll these injuries take, and we’re here to help you pursue full and fair compensation.
Whether your burns were caused by fire, a chemical burn, or a defective product, we’ll build a comprehensive burn injury case that holds the at-fault party accountable. Don’t let insurance companies decide what your recovery is worth—let us fight for your future.
Contact us today for a free consultation in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries From Car Accidents
Can I File a Burn Injury Claim If a Defective Vehicle Part Caused the Fire?
Yes. If a defective product like a fuel system, airbag, or electrical component contributed to your injury, you may be eligible to file a burn injury lawsuit against the manufacturer or another liable party. A qualified car accident attorney can investigate the cause and identify all responsible parties.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover for a Burn Injury?
Every burn injury case is different, but compensation may include:
- Medical bills and future medical treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and emotional trauma
An attorney will evaluate the full scope of your damages to ensure your burn injury claim reflects the seriousness of your losses.
What Should I Do If an Insurance Company Offers Me a Settlement?
You should never accept a settlement offer without first consulting a car accident lawyer. Insurance companies often offer far less than what your injuries are truly worth—especially with high-cost injuries like burns. An experienced attorney can review the offer, calculate your total damages, and negotiate a fair result.
