Burn Injuries from Car Accidents in Hollywood FL
Have you suffered burn injuries in a car accident someone else caused in Hollywood, Florida? The at-fault motorist and their insurer might owe you substantial compensation – though getting the insurance company to pay you what they should might not be as easy as it should be. That’s why you need our experienced Hollywood car accident lawyers to level the scales of justice and seek the financial security you deserve.
At the law firm of Rosen & Ohr, P.A., we understand the long-term physical and financial complications that severe burns cause. We’ve helped many people in similar positions secure justice and accountability. The medical bills associated with traumatic burn injuries can cause significant financial instability, while the mental and physical scars left behind can take a substantial toll of their own. Our team is committed to offering Hollywood car accident victims the compassionate care and effective legal representation they need to overcome these challenges and rebuild their lives.
Are you ready to learn more about your legal rights? Contact Rosen & Ohr, P.A., today for a free consultation with a Hollywood car crash burn lawyer. We are ready to thoroughly review your situation and outline your options for pursuing maximum compensation for your losses.
What Can Cause a Burn in Car Crashes?
Burns are a painful, potentially disfiguring consequence of many severe car accidents – and all-too-common ones as well. Studies indicate that almost a quarter of people who suffer burns in car accidents die as a result of their injuries. Moreover, the average burn injury caused by a car accident covers over a third of the victim’s body, causing serious damage and jeopardizing their long-term health.
Superheated metal, like hot engine parts, and steam from a broken radiator can lead to significant burns and tissue damage. Fires from chemicals, oil, gasoline, and other petroleum products can also lead to severe thermal burns. Airbag deployment and leaking chemicals can result in chemical burns to the skin and soft tissue like the eyes, nose, and lungs.
Types of Burns Car Accidents Can Cause
There are several distinct types of burns. Thermal and chemical burns are two more common types of burns from car accidents. Thermal burns occur when a person encounters an extreme heat source like fire, a hot surface, superheated liquids, or steam. Chemical burns occur when a strong acid or base hits the skin or eyes, causing tissue damage.
Car accidents can also cause electrical burns. Electrical burns occur when a person encounters an exposed electrical energy source. Frayed and exposed wires are the main sources of electrical burns in car accidents.
Typically, burns are categorized as follows based on their severity:
- First-Degree Burns – The most common type of first-degree burn is a sunburn, but other sources of heat, radiation, and chemicals can also cause first-degree burns. These superficial burns damage only the outermost layer of skin called the epidermis.
- Second-Degree Burns – Second-degree burns penetrate multiple layers of skin, damaging the epidermis and dermis. These burns can be especially painful because they cause damage to nerve endings. The skin can turn red, swell, and blister at the burn site.
- Third-Degree Burns – Third-degree burns are the most severe, damaging soft tissues in the epidermis and dermis and penetrating deeper into muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons beneath. The affected skin can take on a black, flaky, or charred appearance. These disfiguring burns may require extensive skin grafts, surgery, physical therapy, and rehabilitation.
While first and second-degree burns are common in collisions, significant third-degree burns can occur when chemicals or petroleum products accelerate fires or cause traumatic explosions.
Who Is Responsible for a Burn Injury in a Car Accident in Hollywood, FL?
Florida follows a no-fault car insurance model, meaning that when you are injured in a car accident, you file a first-party claim with your own provider, regardless of who is to blame. Motorists in the state must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage. PIP coverage compensates claimants for 80 percent of their reasonable and necessary medical expenses and pays up to 60 percent of a person’s lost income during recovery, up to their policy limits.
Who is responsible for a burn injury after a Hollywood, FL, car crash? Initially, your own insurance provider. However, significant burn injuries can lead to medical bills that exceed your PIP coverage policy limits. If your burns result in a serious injury under the state’s definition of the term, you can step outside of the no-fault system and file a personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation from the person who caused the accident and their liability insurance carrier.
What Is the Average Payout for Burns from Collisions in Hollywood, FL?
It is hard to pinpoint the average payout for burns caused by collisions. Every car accident case is unique, and the circumstances of the crash and the severity of a person’s burns impact a claim’s value. Although specific payouts vary from case to case, a successful claim could compensate you for your:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Property damage
At Rosen & Ohr, P.A., we don’t treat your car accident claim like average. We go above and beyond to pursue every penny you deserve for your serious injury.
Statute of Limitations on Car Crash Burn Claims in Hollywood, FL
Recently, Florida changed the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits from four years to two years. That means people injured in motor vehicle accidents have two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their losses. You must file a case before the deadline to maintain leverage and the ability to recover maximum compensation.
What to Do After Suffering a Burn Injury from a Collision
Once you’ve sought medical attention for your burns, you can turn your attention to protecting your rights to compensation by:
- Contacting law enforcement
- Writing down your memories while they’re still fresh
- Contacting an experienced Hollywood car accident lawyer at Rosen & Ohr, P.A.
- Keeping all medical appointments and adhering to your treatment plan
- Starting a folder of your receipts, bills, and documents related to the crash
- Refraining from posting information on social media
Our attorneys can be a valuable ally to help you navigate the challenges of filing a claim and coping with your injuries. We are ready to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve from every available source.
How We Can Help People Who Suffered Burns in Hollywood Car Accidents
Did you suffer burn injuries in a car accident in Hollywood, FL? Get help from a Hollywood collision burn injury lawyer with Rosen & Ohr, P.A., today. We offer a personal touch to every case we take and are ready to provide you with the attention and care you deserve during this difficult time. Moreover, we won’t charge you a fee unless we win your case.
Reach out today, and let’s discuss your case during a free consultation.