Introduction: The Hidden Danger of Car Accidents
Most people think of broken bones, whiplash, or traumatic brain injuries when they hear about car accidents. But in San Antonio and across South Texas, burn injuries are among the most devastating consequences of a serious wreck.
Burns are unique in that they don’t just cause physical pain — they also leave lasting scars, emotional trauma, and financial strain from years of treatment. Victims in San Antonio, Leon Springs, Balcones Heights, and the Valley often face lifelong challenges after a car wreck causes severe burns.
At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, our mission is to stand up for burn injury victims and fight insurance companies that minimize these cases. If you or a loved one suffered burns in a car or truck accident, you deserve justice, medical care, and full compensation.
Why Burn Injuries Happen After Car Accidents
1. Truck Accidents and Explosions
San Antonio sits at the crossroads of major highways like IH-10, IH-35, and Loop 410, all heavily trafficked by 18-wheelers and commercial trucks. These vehicles often carry massive fuel tanks and sometimes hazardous cargo.
When a semi-truck crashes, even a minor impact can rupture a fuel line, creating an immediate fire hazard. Truck accident burn injuries are particularly common in multi-vehicle crashes near Loop 1604 or in tight highway construction zones around IH-35.
Victims in these situations often turn to lawyers for truck accidents because multiple parties may be responsible — from the truck driver to the trucking company and even third-party maintenance contractors.
2. Vehicle Fires and Defective Car Parts
Even regular passenger cars can become deadly when a defect causes a fire. Common culprits include:
- Faulty electrical wiring under the hood
- Fuel tank leaks after a side impact
- Exploding airbags that release burning chemicals
- Overheating batteries in hybrid or electric vehicles
In one reported San Antonio case, a small SUV caught fire after being rear-ended on Loop 410, trapping the driver. While first responders saved the victim, the burns required months of hospitalization and skin grafts.
3. Multi-Car Collisions in Congested Intersections
San Antonio drivers know how dangerous certain intersections can be. Bandera Road at Loop 1604, Blanco Road at Loop 410, and Fredericksburg Road in Balcones Heights see frequent congestion, fender-benders, and high-speed impacts.
When multiple vehicles collide, spilled fuel and sparks from metal can ignite quickly. Chain-reaction fires can engulf cars before drivers or passengers can escape. Victims in these pileups often need a personal injury attorney lawyer to navigate the complicated liability issues.
4. Hazardous Materials and Chemical Burns
Some trucking companies transport hazardous chemicals through San Antonio on their way to the Eagle Ford Shale region or industrial zones near the Valley. If a wreck causes a chemical spill, victims may suffer chemical burns just from inhaling fumes or making contact with skin.
Unlike thermal burns from fire, chemical burns can continue damaging tissue long after the crash, making them some of the most dangerous injuries seen in personal injury law attorney cases.
Types of Burn Injuries After Car Accidents
Burn injuries vary in severity, but each type can impact your life in different ways:
- First-Degree Burns: Affect only the outer skin layer. Painful, but usually heal without scarring. Often caused by seatbelt friction or airbag deployment.
- Second-Degree Burns: Damage deeper layers of skin, causing blisters and intense pain. Victims may require medical treatment and wound care.
- Third-Degree Burns: Destroy skin, muscle, and nerves. Often result from prolonged exposure to fire or explosions. Require skin grafts and reconstructive surgery.
- Chemical Burns: Caused by fuel, battery acid, or hazardous cargo. These can continue spreading if not neutralized immediately.
- Electrical Burns: Sometimes occur when a vehicle hits power lines or internal wiring ignites after a wreck.
Each of these burns requires medical attention, but the long-term effects — scarring, limited mobility, chronic pain — are what make burn injury cases so complex in Texas courts.
The Long-Term Costs of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are among the most expensive injuries to treat after a car wreck. Victims often face:
- Hospitalization and Surgeries: Severe burns often require immediate surgery, and third-degree burns may involve multiple skin graft procedures.
- Rehabilitation: Physical therapy to regain mobility, plus occupational therapy to relearn daily activities.
- Mental Health Treatment: PTSD, depression, and anxiety are common among burn survivors. Scarring can also cause severe emotional distress.
- Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Power: Many victims can’t return to their previous jobs, particularly if they worked in industries requiring physical labor.
- Home Modifications: Victims sometimes need ramps, special beds, or medical equipment installed at home.
This is why insurance companies fight so hard to minimize burn cases. But with a personal injury law lawyer on your side, you can prove the true costs of your recovery.
Why You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Burn Injury
Insurance adjusters will try to blame your injuries on something else — a preexisting condition, a defect unrelated to the crash, or even your own negligence.
Having a personal accident attorney means:
- Documenting your medical treatment with expert testimony
- Calculating future costs like additional surgeries and lifelong care
- Proving disfigurement and scarring damages to maximize non-economic compensation
- Building a case for pain and suffering damages
Without an attorney, you’re at the mercy of the insurance company. With the right legal team, you stand a much better chance of securing fair compensation.
Serving San Antonio and Surrounding Areas
At Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers, we serve clients across:
- Leon Springs: Wrecks along IH-10 near The RIM and La Cantera, where heavy truck traffic mixes with commuter vehicles.
- Balcones Heights: Congested areas near Fredericksburg Road and Loop 410, where pileups often cause burn injuries.
- The Valley: Catastrophic auto and truck accidents along US-77 and US-281, where medical resources may be limited.
- Greater San Antonio: From downtown to Alamo Ranch, Stone Oak, and South San Antonio.
Wherever your wreck occurred, when you search for personal injury lawyer near me, we want you to find our team ready to fight for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do if I suffer burn injuries after a car accident in San Antonio?
First, call 911 and get emergency medical treatment. Burns can worsen quickly if not treated. Once stabilized, contact a personal injury attorney near me to protect your rights. Insurance companies may start working against you immediately, and you need representation from the start.
2. How much compensation can I recover for burn injuries?
The value of your case depends on medical costs, future care, lost wages, and the severity of scarring. Severe burn injury cases in Texas can result in six- or seven-figure settlements or jury verdicts, especially when trucking companies or negligent corporations are involved.
3. Can I sue for chemical burns from a truck accident?
Yes. If hazardous cargo caused chemical burns, your lawyer can pursue claims against the trucking company, shipper, and possibly the manufacturer of the chemicals. These cases require a skilled law personal injury attorney with trucking experience.
4. How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in Texas?
The statute of limitations for personal injury in Texas is generally two years from the date of the accident. However, acting quickly is crucial, since evidence like vehicle inspection reports and witness testimony can disappear.
5. How do I choose the best injury lawyer near me?
Look for experience with catastrophic injury cases, trial readiness, and proven results against insurance companies. Searching terms like lawyers car accidents or attorney personal injury near me will help, but not every firm has the courtroom strength of Ried Pecina Trial Lawyers.
