What to Do When a Motorcycle Accident Causes Burns

Cruising down the highway on a motorcycle may feel freeing and exhilarating. The thrill of the open road, the wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the quiet thrum of a motorcycle are relaxing and can offer comfort to motorcycle riders. But what happens when things go wrong?

Motorcycle wrecks can result in severe burn injuries. This is because motorcycles lack many of the safety features found in cars. For example, motorcycles do not have airbags, seatbelts, or sturdy frames. When a motorcycle accident occurs, the rider is often thrown from the bike and may come into contact with the ground or other objects. This can cause severe burns. If you have gotten a burn injury from a motorcycle accident, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact a Baltimore motorcycle accident attorney at the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt today for a free consultation.

We all know that motorcycle accidents can lead to severe and life altering injuries. One less-discussed consequence of motorcycle accidents is burning injuries. Burn injuries wreak havoc on the body and could lead to infections, which require multiple skin grafts. If you suffer from a burn injury in a motorcycle accident, it is important to seek medical treatment right away. Do not attempt to treat the burn yourself. A doctor should treat burns as soon as possible to prevent further damage and infection.

When we typically discuss burn injuries related to motorcycle accidents, most riders think of “road rash,” which is a common injury that occurs when the skin contacts the asphalt leading to friction burns. However, another major concern is burns from the actual fuel in the gas tank of the motorcycle. These are known as fuel-induced burns. Given the exposed design of many motorcycles, fuel leaks often occur and are ignited by the friction of the collision, leading to intense flames that can cause severe burns in mere moments.

Many people associate motorcycle accidents with broken bones and head injuries. While these are some of the most common injuries, riders are also extremely susceptible to sustaining burns because of a crash. Below, we will discuss the most common burns associated with motorcycle collisions and how motorcycle crashes can lead to burn injuries and what you should do if you are involved in a motorcycle accident and suffer from a burn injury.

Fire Burns

Not all burns are caused by literal fires, but some are. Fires can erupt when the force of the collision causes the gas tank to leak, which then catches a spark. Many motorcycle riders can be either knocked unconscious or physically unable to move out o the way of the fire, leading to even deeper burns. Fire burn injuries are caused by contact with flames, hot objects, or steam. When these things come into-contact with the skin, they cause the skin to become red and irritated. If the heat continues to be applied, it will eventually state to blister and peel, burning through layers of skin. In the most serious cases, fire burns can lead to third-degree burns, the most severe type of burns. 

Chemical Burns

Because they lack a protective outer layer, riders are vulnerable to chemical exposure on their skin caused by the impact of a crash. When riders come into-contact with corrosive materials such as battery acid, alkalis, or gasoline, it can lead to chemical burns. Chemicals can cause severe damage to the skin and tissues beneath the skin. Chemical burn injuries often require extensive medical treatment and may leave permanent scarring.

Exhaust Pipe and Engine Burns

Certain metal parts of a bike, such as the exhausts and engine, can reach temperatures of up to 230 degrees Fahrenheit. In the event of a collision, a motorcycle rider can be thrown from their bike, and parts of their body can come into-contact with these hot pieces, resulting in severe contact burns.

Road Rash

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 is very common after a motorcycle accident for riders to sustain these types of friction burns as they do not have much to protect their bodies.

This type of friction burn is one of the most common burns sustained by motorcycle riders. Road rash occurs when the rider’s body is dragged across an abrasive surface, like concrete or asphalt, and tears away the top layers of the skin. This can leave large open wounds on the rider’s body that are at risk of infections.

If you or a loved one sustained burn injuries in a motorcycle collision, you need quality legal representation to ensure that your rights are protected. Burns often lead to lifelong scars that can diminish one’s quality of life and be physically debilitating. These individuals deserve proper compensation for their emotional and physical pain and suffering.

Road Rash

• First-degree burns: The mildest of burn injuries, these only affect the outer layer of skin. They may cause pain, redness, and minor swelling, but generally heal within a week.
• Second-degree burns: Penetrating deeper, these burns affect both the outer and underlying skin layer, causing blisters, intense pain, and red or whitened skin appearance.
• Third and Fouth-degree burns: These are the most severe categories of burns that reach the deepest layers of skin. In the case of fourth-degree burns, underlying bones and muscles may be impacted. The affected area might appear charred or white and often requires grafting and specialized treatment.

Burns can be excruciatingly painful and may require treatments ranging from pain management to physical therapy and, in extreme cases, reconstructive surgeries. The psychological scars, particularly from disfiguring burns, are also very real for many accident victims. Many motorcyclists require counseling or therapy to cope with the emotional aftermath from a severe motorcycle collision involving motorcycle burns. Motorcycle leg burn injuries can be particularly challenging for bikers to overcome, often requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Many motorcyclists are safe on the road. It is often the actions of other drivers and their negligence that cause motorcycle crashes to occur. When this happens, the injured rider can often recover compensation by taking legal action against the responsible party.

Our Baltimore injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Larry B. Litt work with victims of negligence to protect their rights and safeguard their best interests. Our clients rely on us to help them during one of life’s most turbulent situations, and we will do all we can to be there for them.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact our office today. We will review your case and determine if you are eligible to file a claim. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses (present and future), lost wages, and pain and suffering. Do not hesitate to call us today at 443-844-1528. We will fight for you day or night. Focus on your recovery while we turn over every stone to get you the full compensation you deserve.