There are many different types of injuries that can occur in a car wreck — and while chemical burns may not immediately come to mind, they can be particularly devastating.
Chemical burns can happen after an airbag deploys, or they can happen because someone is transporting something toxic when they wreck, like paint thinner or gasoline. The chemical burns can even come from contact with another vehicle’s contents, such as when a tanker carrying hazardous chemicals wrecks and spills its load.
Why are chemical burns hard to handle?
One challenge of chemical burns is that you have to get the substance off your body to stop the burn from getting worse. Removal may not be easy, however, depending on what substance is involved. Paramedics can even make the situation worse for a victim of chemical burns if they don’t know the proper way to neutralize and remove the chemicals as quickly as possible.
What are the consequences of a chemical burn?
Chemical burns over a large area could require you to spend time in a burn unit to get the constant medical care that it will take to help the area heal. There’s a risk of infection and other medical problems that might occur with this type of burn, as well. Even with a minor burn, you could be looking at an extended recovery time as well as disfigurement.
Anyone who suffers a serious burn in a car crash should ensure they get medical care right away. When the crash is caused by the negligence of another person, seeking compensation is possible. When the injuries are serious and likely to have lasting consequences, don’t hesitate to seek legal assistance.