Motorcycles offer very little protection to riders. They don’t have seat-belts, air bags or safety glass. So, when an accident occurs, serious injuries are likely to follow. These injuries can include everything from head injuries to broken bones and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can also include burns.
Burn injuries can be very severe. Not only are burns extremely painful, they can take a lot of time and money to properly heal. There are many types of burns and each is treated differently.
The least severe type of burn is a first degree burn. These burns can generally be treated at home and heal in a matter of days.
Next, there are second degree burns. These burns are characterized by the blisters they cause as the wound is healing. With this type of burn, many layers of skin are damaged and it can take weeks to heal. People may be able to treat the wound on their own, but only if they bandage and clean the wound. Sometimes, especially if the second degree burn is widespread, people may need to seek medical help in caring for these burns. A skin graft may be required to help these types of burns heal.
Finally, the most severe type of burn is a third degree burn. These are burns that damage every layer of skin and even can involve some of the blood stream and organs below. These burns cause people’s skin to look white and waxy, charred, leathery or dark brown. These wounds should never be treated at home and people should seek medical attention right away. These burns will need extensive treatment in order to prevent serious complications and even death. These treatments can include surgery, rehabilitation and physical therapy.
Seeking appropriate medical treatment following a burn or any motorcycle accident injury is very important. However, it can also be costly. Motorcycle accident victims should know that they could be entitled to damages as a result of the accident, if the accident was caused by a negligent driver. An attorney can help to prove this negligence and obtain the compensation a person needs.