If you have a car accident, you may suffer potentially catastrophic burn injuries. Doctors use degrees to describe the severity of burns, with third-degree ones being the most severe. While cool water may help to alleviate some of your discomfort, it is never wise to ice a third-degree burn.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, icing a third-degree burn can cause additional tissue damage. Equally bad, putting ice on your burn may expose you to a potentially dangerous infection. What should you do after suffering a third-degree burn in a car accident, though?
Call 911 immediately
Third-degree burns can be deadly, especially if they cover large sections of your body or are in sensitive areas. Put simply, you do not want to take your chances with home remedies. By calling 911, you put the knowledge and skills of emergency responders to work for you. These individuals are likely to be able to stabilize you until you reach the hospital.
Listen to your doctors
When you arrive at the hospital, you can expect physicians to perform a full medical evaluation. Remember, in addition to your visible burn wounds, you may have hidden injuries from the car accident.
Once you receive your treatment plan, it is important to listen to your doctors. Doing so minimizes your risk of developing unsightly scars, tissue damage and other complications. Unfortunately, if you have a severe third-degree burn, you may spend days, weeks or months in the hospital. You also may need rehabilitation.
Burn treatment and rehabilitation can be almost unbelievably expensive. Ultimately, by pursuing financial compensation from the person who caused the car accident, you are apt to have the resources you need to pay for effective medical care.
