Car crashes are often associated with broken bones, head trauma, or spinal injuries. What many people do not anticipate is the risk of severe burn injuries following a collision. Unfortunately, fires, explosions, and contact with hot surfaces can turn an ordinary crash into a life-altering event in seconds. For burn victims in New Hampshire, recovery is often long, painful, and emotionally exhausting.
At Elmore Law Office, our Portsmouth personal injury attorney represents individuals who have suffered burn injuries in car crashes caused by negligence. These cases frequently involve not only careless drivers, but also manufacturers whose defective vehicles or components contributed to the fire or severity of the burns.
How Burn Injuries Occur in Car Crashes
Burn injuries in motor vehicle crashes typically result from secondary events rather than the initial impact. While modern vehicles are designed with safety systems to reduce fire risk, failures still occur, particularly in high-speed or high-force collisions.
Common causes of burn injuries include:
- Vehicle fires triggered by fuel system damage.
- Explosions following a crash involving flammable cargo or materials.
- Contact burns from hot metal, steam, or engine components.
- Electrical burns caused by damaged wiring or batteries.
- Fires that spread due to delayed rescue or door malfunctions.
Even a brief exposure to flames or extreme heat can cause serious injuries requiring immediate and long-term medical care.
The Severity and Lasting Impact of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are among the most physically and emotionally devastating injuries a crash victim can suffer. The damage often extends far beyond the skin, affecting muscles, nerves, and internal tissue.
Severe burn injuries may involve:
- Multiple surgeries, including skin grafts.
- Long hospital stays and intensive care.
- Chronic pain and nerve damage.
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Loss of mobility or function.
- Emotional trauma, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress.
For many victims, recovery is measured in years, not months, and may never be complete.
When Negligent Drivers Are Responsible for Burn Injuries
Negligence is a legal term meaning failure to act with reasonable care under the circumstances. In car crash cases, negligent driving behavior often sets off the chain of events that leads to fires or explosions.
Examples of driver negligence that may lead to burn injuries include:
- Speeding or reckless driving.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Distracted driving.
- Failing to yield or obey traffic signals.
- Causing high-impact collisions that rupture fuel systems.
When a driver’s careless actions cause a crash that results in burn injuries, that driver may be held legally responsible for the harm that follows.
Manufacturer Liability in Burn Injury Cases
In some cases, a burn injury is not caused solely by the crash itself, but by a defect in the vehicle or one of its components. Product liability law allows injured individuals to pursue claims against manufacturers when unsafe designs or defects contribute to injury.
Manufacturer liability may arise from:
- Defective fuel tanks or fuel lines.
- Faulty electrical systems that spark or overheat.
- Battery failures, including lithium-ion battery fires.
- Door or seatbelt defects that trap occupants inside burning vehicles.
- Inadequate fire-resistant materials.
These cases often require extensive investigation and expert analysis to determine whether a vehicle failed to perform as safely as expected.
Why Early Legal Involvement Matters
Burn injury cases often involve insurance companies and corporate defendants that move quickly to limit liability. Vehicles may be repaired or destroyed, and critical evidence can be lost without prompt action.
Early legal involvement helps ensure:
- Preservation of the vehicle and crash evidence.
- Proper investigation into fire causes.
- Accurate documentation of long-term medical needs.
- Protection against premature settlement offers.
The decisions made in the early stages of a burn injury claim can significantly affect the outcome.
How Elmore Law Office Helps Burn Injury Victims in New Hampshire
Elmore Law Office understands the medical, emotional, and legal complexities of burn injury cases. Our firm works closely with medical professionals and technical experts to build strong claims that reflect the full impact of these injuries.
We focus on:
- Identifying all negligent parties.
- Holding drivers and manufacturers accountable.
- Calculating long-term damages.
- Protecting clients from insurance tactics designed to minimize claims.
Our goal is to help burn injury victims secure the resources they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
Contact Elmore Law Office Today
If you or a loved one suffered burn injuries in a New Hampshire car crash, you deserve experienced legal guidance and compassionate support. Elmore Law Office is prepared to review your case, explain your legal options, and pursue accountability for those responsible.
Contact Elmore Law Office today at 603-929-1117 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.