California car accident injuries can range from bruises and scrapes to those that have life-altering consequences. If your crash involved multiple cars or a big rig, you might suffer from burns that affect your day-to-day life for the foreseeable future. We often represent car crash victims with catastrophic injuries.
According to the University of California San Diego, burn injuries most frequently occur due to fire, but scalds, electrical injuries and coming into contact with a hot object in a motor vehicle accident can also cause long-term damage.
How burns affect the skin
As the body’s largest organ, your skin acts as a barrier, protecting you from infection and injury. Burns destroy skin cells and affect the skin’s ability to protect you. A blister may form during the healing process, covering the area while white blood cells attack bacteria. When the burn is minor, the skin can heal itself. You may experience intense itching and require moisturizer with high water content for relief.
How severe burns heal
Collagen is a protein the body produces that helps heal damaged skin. Usually, the protein fibers lay down in an organized way. However, when the damage extends to the skin’s deep layers, the fibers layer in a disorganized manner, giving the skin a different appearance and texture. This scarring peaks approximately six months after the burn and may resolve in 18 months after your accident. The skin may become less sensitive and remain flatter or softer.
Severe burn injuries can result in life-threatening complications such as sepsis and respiratory issues. Permanent scars could also develop. When they stretch across joints, they can decrease mobility. Depending on the circumstances, medical professionals may decide skin grafts are the best treatment.
The recovery process for severe burns can take years. Lifecare planners, rehabilitation experts and other professionals can help you learn to cope with your new normal. A car accident settlement can provide the financial means to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and the consequences of a disability.
