Introduction: A Hidden Danger on Georgia Roads
When thinking of car accidents, most people imagine broken bones or head injuries. However, burn injuries are an often overlooked but devastating consequence of many car crashes. In Georgia, where highways and interstates see heavy traffic year-round, the risk of burn injuries in vehicle collisions is real and often life-altering. Contacting a car accident lawyer in Georgia can be crucial for understanding your legal options.
These injuries can happen in an instant but leave physical and emotional scars that last a lifetime. From fiery crashes on I-75 to rear-end collisions that cause engine fires, understanding how these types of burn injuries occur, and what to do if you’re injured, is essential.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Georgia Car Accidents
Burn injury victims can experience a range of harm from different sources during car crashes. Some of the most common causes include:
Vehicle Fires
Car accidents, especially those involving high speeds or multiple vehicles, can lead to fuel leaks. A single spark from faulty wiring, crushed metal, or friction can ignite the fuel, resulting in a burn accident. Occupants may be trapped or unable to exit the car in time, leading to severe burns.
Airbag Deployment
While airbags save lives, the chemicals used in their deployment can cause first-degree burns and chemical burns. These may not be full-thickness but can still result in painful damage to the outer layer of the skin.
Contact Burns
High heat from engines, seat belt metal parts, or dashboards exposed to fire can result in direct contact burns. These types of burns are particularly dangerous in rollover crashes and can cause full-thickness burns.
Electrical Burns
Modern vehicle electrical systems can cause electrical burns when damaged in a crash. These injuries can go beneath the outermost layer, affecting nerve endings and causing long-term complications.
Chemical Burns
If a battery or engine fluid spills during a collision, victims can suffer chemical burns. These injuries require immediate medical attention to prevent deeper tissue damage.
Types of Burn Injuries from Car Crashes
Burn injuries are classified by how deeply they affect the layers of skin and surrounding tissue.
First-Degree Burns
Affecting only the outer layer of skin, these minor burn injuries often heal without scarring but still cause redness and physical pain.
Second-Degree Burns
These injuries affect deeper layers of skin, often resulting in blisters and severe pain. Second-degree burns may require weeks of medical care.
Third-Degree Burns
A third-degree burn penetrates all layers of skin and can damage tissue and nerves. These burns often lead to permanent scars, nerve damage, or even permanent disability.
Fourth-Degree Burns
This severe burn injury affects muscle, tissue, and bone. These are often life-threatening burns that may result in lifelong impact and chronic pain.
Long-Term Impact of Burn Injuries
The effects of burn injuries go beyond initial treatment. They affect daily tasks, self-esteem, and long-term health.
- Permanent disfigurement and emotional scars
- Long-term medical costs and financial hardship
- Limited mobility and physical limitations
- Emotional distress and loss of function
- Need for extensive rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery
Medical Treatment and Financial Burden
Immediate medical intervention is critical to reduce complications like infection and ongoing pain.
- Hospital burn centers
- Pain management and surgical procedures
- Long-term care and assistive devices
- Cosmetic surgery to reduce physical disfigurement
Burn victims often face hundreds of thousands in expenses. Compensation can help with medical attention, loss of wages, and intangible losses.
Legal Rights and Compensation in Georgia
In Georgia, you have the right to file a personal injury claim if someone else’s negligent actions caused your burn injury. Compensation can cover:
- Medical costs and future damages
- Fair compensation for emotional distress and physical pain
- Non-economic damages such as loss of income, daily activities, or body image
If the accident involved a defective product, such as a fuel tank or electrical wiring, the responsible parties may include the vehicle or parts manufacturer.
You may also be eligible for punitive damages if the incident involved extreme negligence, such as a drunk driver.
Who May Be Liable?
Burn cases often involve multiple responsible parties:
- Negligent drivers (e.g., distracted or drunk)
- Manufacturers of defective product parts
- A property owner or contractors responsible for faulty maintenance
Identifying the liable party is key to pursuing a successful burn injury claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Deadlines and Legal Process
Georgia’s statute of limitations gives you only two years from the accident date to take legal action. Early consultation helps preserve evidence, build your burn injury lawsuit, and handle insurance claims.
The Importance of Legal Help
Hiring a law firm with a dedicated legal team ensures you understand your rights and can recover the maximum compensation available. A skilled attorney will deal with insurance companies, prove negligence, and manage the legal process.
Burn Injuries Are Not Just Physical
Burn injury victims often struggle with:
- Body image issues
- Emotional distress
- Long-term or permanent disability
- Lifelong impact on careers and relationships
How Ted Law Firm Can Help
At Ted Law Firm, we’ve represented injury victims suffering from severe burn injury due to auto crashes across Georgia. Our attorneys know how devastating burn wounds are , not just physically, but emotionally and financially. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys will guide you through every step and help secure the justice your family deserves. Let Ted Law Firm handle the legal stress while you focus on healing. In addition to Georgia we also proudly help people in Atlanta, Columbus, Macon, Athens, Savannah, Warner Robins, and all of Georgia! We advocate for accident victims across South Carolina and Georgia. We fight for fair compensation – even when insurance companies don’t.
We help clients pursue the fair settlement they deserve, provide compassionate support, and stand strong against insurance companies and negligent parties.
