Truck crashes can cause incredible injury, including thermal burns. Burn injuries are devastating for multiple reasons, including because they cause incredible pain, nerve damage, and complex medical care needs. If you suffer an injury like thermal burns caused by a Houston truck crash, hiring a Houston truck accident lawyer from The Doan Law Firm with specific experience in this area can help you avoid costly financial loss.
Causes of Thermal Burns in a Truck Crash in Houston
A thermal burn occurs when high heat and fire cause damage to the skin. This can happen in numerous ways during a truck accident, most commonly when a fire occurs. Truck fires happen if there is any fuel spillage that results in flames. Intense fires and explosions can also occur when the superheated metals and fluids within the truck ignite.
If the fuel tank on a truck suffers damage, that can lead to fuel spills that ignite. Other times, hazardous cargo in the truck can also ignite with the right amount of friction or intense conditions. You may suffer thermal burns in a truck crash if you come into contact with the flames themselves, any hot component of the vehicle, or the steam created by the accident.
Types of Burns in Houston Truck Crashes
Burns can be minor, but most of the time, a Houston truck crash will create serious burns, those that cause debilitating injuries and losses. The most common types of burns include:
- First-degree burns: The upper layer of the skin suffers damage. Nerve damage may be limited, and the healing takes around a week. It is likely tender and can be painful.
- Second-degree burns: These burns cause damage to the second layer of skin, called the epidermis. These burns are painful because nerves are damaged and tissues can be severely deformed. Most of these burns require advanced care and take weeks to heal.
- Third-degree burns: These are serious, life-threatening burns that burn through the deeper layers of skin. They may impact the organ tissue and your bones as well. You may notice they have blackened areas or a white sand wound look to them. The nerve damage here is irreversible, and the risk of fatalities is high.
In each of these types of burns, the risk of serious medical complications is high. Depending on the location and the extent of the burn, you may spend a significant amount of time in the hospital recovering.
What Your Burn Injury Case Is Worth
Thermal burns cause serious injuries resulting in physical and mental health impacts. You may be able to seek compensation for any damages you can demonstrate are the result. Some examples include:
- Medical expenses related to the accident and injuries
- Future medical care needs, including future surgeries
- Pain and suffering from the experience, which can be intense
- Emotional trauma from the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder
- Lost income for the time you will miss due to being unable to work
In each of these cases, it is critical that you understand not just your current losses but the ongoing losses you will continue to have. Burn injuries can mean catastrophic losses, serious pain, and a lifetime of disfigurement.
Set Up a Consultation with a Houston Truck Crash Attorney Now
Thermal burns caused by a Houston truck crash can be serious and life-threatening. Hire The Doan Law Firm to represent you through the process of recovering damages. Contact us now for a free consultation.