Burn Scars: The Everlasting Reminders of a Horrific Truck Accident
It isn’t a surprise that truck accidents, even relatively minor ones, have the potential to cause catastrophic injuries. Although similar to car accidents, truck collisions deliver much higher risks for drivers and passengers in the other vehicles.
The mass and momentum of the truck far exceed those of the passenger vehicle, so it’s almost certain the passenger vehicle’s occupants
will bear the brunt of the injuries.
These injuries can range from superficial cuts to broken bones, internal injuries, or even permanent disfigurement and lifelong health issues.
Out of all the possible (non-fatal) injuries you can sustain from a truck accident, burns are one of the most dire. In addition to causing severe pain, a serious burn can permanently scar the flesh, leaving a constant reminder of your accident.
Different Degrees of Burns
Burns are classified into different categories depending on the severity of the damage.
- First-degree. First-degree burns are minor and only affect the outer layer of the skin. Redness and sensitivity may occur.
- Second-degree burns. Second-degree burns are more severe than first degree and affect not only the top layer of skin but also the layers underneath it, down to the muscles.
- Third-degree burns. The most destructive type of burn is the third-degree burn. These burns not only affect the skin, but can seriously damage the underlying tissues, nerves, muscles, and even bone. All third-degree burns are life-threatening.
In the past, when a victim of a truck accident suffered severe burns—second or third degree—on more than half of his body, the potential complications of the burns would lead to a fairly short life expectancy.
Burn Complications
There are serious complications that can arise from burns. Along with the immense pain, a severely burned victim may suffer extreme blistering that radically changes body chemistry, damage to her blood vessels, and the possibility of developing a life-threatening infection.
When the body is burned, the cells of the skin become damaged. These cells react to damage by releasing fluid and forming blister. That process can trigger the following complications:
- Low blood pressure. Burn victims sometimes require blood transfusions and extra fluids to help maintain circulation and blood pressure after the loss of fluids.
- Shock. The loss of fluid can interrupt circulation throughout the body and prevent the brain from receiving the nutrients it needs.
- Infections. When a burn damages the protective layer of skin on your body, the exposed tissue underneath is extremely susceptible to bacterial infections. Furthermore, when blisters rupture, the area underneath becomes an unprotected open wound.
Medical science is continuously developing new techniques to prevent and mitigate burn complications. With today’s technology and burn center resources, even when the body is 90 percent covered in burns, the victim can still survive, although permanent disfigurement and scarring are still probable.
If you or someone you know has sustained second or third-degree burns in a truck accident, you need to contact Steve Lee at 713-921-4171 or 800-232-3711. His dedication and experience can help you get the medical treatment and compensation you need for the best possible recovery.