Motorcycle accidents can result in some of the most severe and even life-threatening injuries. This can include head injuries, brain trauma, spinal cord injuries, and amputations. However, burn injuries are also common with motorcycle accidents and can be just as severe and deadly.
If you are injured in a Maryland motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to reach out for legal assistance. Paying for medical treatment for a burn injury can be expensive, but a personal injury attorney can help. They can help you file a motorycycle accident claim and ensure you get the full compensation you deserve to help you pay for your injuries and other damages.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Burn Injuries
Burns are common in motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle riders are much more exposed than passenger vehicles, so their skin is more vulnerable and susceptible to burns. And there are a few different types of burns that can occur, including:
Thermal Burns
Severe motorcycle accidents can result in fires or explosions. This is not incredibly common, but it can happen. When it does, it can lead to thermal burns that can seriously damage the skin.
Chemical Burns
Motorcycles can leak toxic and corrosive chemicals, such as battery acid and gasoline, when damaged in an accident. If the skin of the rider comes into contact with these substances, it can result in chemical burns.
Engine and Exhaust Pipe Burns
The metal components on a motorcycle can get extremely hot, such as the engine and the exhaust pipe. After an accident, riders can get trapped against these hot surfaces, which can lead to severe burns.
Friction Burns
Road rash is a type of friction burn that occurs when the skin is dragged or skids along a rough surface, such as asphalt. It’s very common after motorcycle accidents for riders to sustain these types of friction burns as they don’t have much to protect their bodies.
Burn Injury Complications After a Motorcycle Accident
First and second-degree burns from motorcycle accidents—while still quite painful—often heal with minimal treatment. However, more severe burns, such as third-degree burns or third-degree road rash, are harder to treat and can lead to complications.
If you notice any of the signs or symptoms below, you should seek emergency medical care to have your burn injury treated as soon as possible.
- Pain that continues to worsen
- Fever
- Chills, nausea, and body aches
- Swelling
- Redness that continues to get worse
- Pus or fluid drainage
- Skin discoloration around the wound
- A foul smell emanating from the wound
- Heat radiating from the wound
Motorcycle Accident Burn Injury Treatment
Treatment for burn injuries after a motorcycle accident can vary depending on the severity of the burn.
First-degree and second-degree burns will need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. You will then need to apply a salve and wrap the wounded area in bandages to protect the area while it heals.
Second-degree burns will likely require frequent bandage changes, more cleaning, and more salve to make sure the wound is healing properly and does not become infected. You can also take pain relievers and anti-inflammatories to help with pain and swelling.
Third-degree burns will require emergency medical care. You will likely need surgery to clean the wounds, stop the bleeding, and stitch the skin back together. You may also need a skin graft or plastic surgery if significant portions of the skin are burnt or torn away.
Even after burns are treated, they can still become infected and lead to sepsis, which is life-threatening. So do not hesitate to seek immediate medical attention if your wounds are not healing and the pain is getting worse.
Have a Legal Question About a Traumatic Brain Injury Accident Case? We Have Answers.
Burn injury treatments are not cheap, especially if you sustain more severe, third-degree burns after a motorcycle accident. You will need to work with an attorney, so you have a better chance of getting a high-value settlement to cover your medical costs and other damages.
At Zirkin and Schmerling Law, our team of Maryland personal injury attorneys is dedicated to helping injured motorcycle accident victims get the compensation they deserve. We know what it takes to fight for our client’s rights to ensure they are protected and win the settlement they need to cover their losses. Contact us or call us at 410-753-4611 to set up an appointment with one of our motorcycle accident burn injury attorneys today.