Every year, thousands of Floridians are involved in serious car accidents that lead to life-changing injuries. Among the most devastating of these are burn injuries — often overlooked until a victim realizes the long-term pain, treatment costs, and emotional trauma that accompany them. Whether caused by vehicle fires, chemical exposure, or electrical burns from a crash, these injuries require extensive medical care and often result in lasting scars or disfigurement. Understanding how Florida law handles these cases can make a significant difference in your recovery and ability to pursue fair compensation.

How Burn Injuries Happen in Florida Car Accidents

Car accidents can produce a variety of hazards capable of causing severe burns. The most common include:

• Vehicle fires: Gasoline leaks or ruptured fuel tanks can ignite after a collision.
• Airbag deployment: Although rare, some airbags emit hot gases that can cause burns.
• Hot metal or surfaces: Contact with engine components or melted plastic can result in thermal burns.
• Chemical exposure: Batteries, antifreeze, or other automotive fluids may cause chemical burns.
• Electrical burns: Crashes involving power lines or hybrid vehicles may create electrical hazards.

These burns often occur in high-speed or multi-vehicle collisions where vehicles sustain structural damage. Victims may suffer both first-degree burns (surface redness) and catastrophic third-degree burns that penetrate deep tissue and require grafts or reconstructive surgery.

Types of Burn Injuries Common in Florida Car Crashes

Florida’s humid climate and dense traffic increase the likelihood of prolonged exposure after a collision. Victims of car accidents may suffer:

1. Thermal burns from flames or hot surfaces.
2. Chemical burns from spilled fluids or deployed airbags.
3. Electrical burns caused by damaged wiring or power sources.
4. Friction burns, sometimes called “road rash,” from being dragged or ejected from the vehicle.
5. Inhalation burns from breathing in smoke or toxic fumes after impact.

Each type of burn injury presents unique challenges in both medical recovery and legal claims. For instance, proving that a manufacturer’s defective fuel line caused a fire may involve different evidence than showing that another driver’s negligence triggered a collision.

Understanding Florida’s Negligence Laws for Burn Injury Claims

In Florida, burn injury victims must prove negligence to recover damages. This involves showing that another party owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused the injury. Under Florida Statute §768.81, the state follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning compensation can be reduced if you share fault for the crash. For example, if a victim is found 20% at fault, their total award will be reduced by 20%.

In practice, this means even partially at-fault drivers can still seek compensation. However, insurance companies often exploit comparative negligence to minimize payouts. That’s why documenting the cause of the fire or chemical exposure immediately after the crash can be essential for preserving evidence.

Compensation Available in Florida Car Accident Burn Injury Cases

The costs associated with burn injuries extend far beyond hospital bills. Victims may be entitled to various forms of compensation, including:

• Medical expenses: Hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment.
• Lost wages: Income lost due to time away from work.
• Reduced earning capacity: When long-term injuries prevent returning to the same job.
• Pain and suffering: Physical and emotional distress caused by severe burns.
• Disfigurement and scarring: Compensation for permanent visible damage.
• Emotional distress: Therapy and psychological recovery support.

In many Florida cases, burn injuries also qualify victims for non-economic damages such as loss of enjoyment of life. A skilled attorney can help quantify these losses based on long-term effects rather than short-term costs.

When Product Liability Plays a Role

Not every burn injury from a car crash is caused by another driver. Sometimes, the fault lies in the vehicle’s design or manufacturing defects. Examples include:

• Fuel tanks that rupture too easily.
• Electrical systems that short-circuit after impact.
• Airbags that ignite or overheat upon deployment.

Under Florida product liability law, manufacturers can be held strictly liable if a defect directly caused the burn injury. This means victims don’t have to prove negligence — only that the product was defective and caused harm. In these cases, expert witnesses such as engineers and accident reconstruction specialists are often key in proving fault.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident Burn Injury in Florida

After sustaining a burn injury in a car accident, quick and strategic action can make a major difference in your case outcome. Here are the essential steps to protect your health and your claim:

1. Seek immediate medical attention. Burns can worsen rapidly and require specialized treatment.
2. Document everything. Take photos of injuries, damaged vehicles, and the accident scene.
3. Request official reports. Obtain a copy of the police report and hospital records.
4. Notify your insurance provider. Report the accident but avoid detailed statements until consulting an attorney.
5. Consult a Florida car accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can preserve evidence, evaluate fault, and handle negotiations.

Following these steps helps ensure you don’t inadvertently harm your chances of receiving full compensation. Many burn victims underestimate how quickly medical costs and income loss can add up — often reaching tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Scenario: A Florida Highway Burn Injury Case

Consider this: a driver traveling on I-95 in Miami was struck by a truck carrying flammable materials. The crash caused the car to ignite, leaving the victim with severe third-degree burns on her arms and face. Investigation revealed the truck’s fuel valve was defective — a factor that contributed to the explosion. Through a combination of a personal injury and product liability claim, the victim secured compensation for medical costs exceeding $800,000 and future reconstructive surgeries.

This example shows how Florida’s legal framework can adapt to complex, multi-fault cases involving both negligent drivers and defective components. It also underscores the importance of expert analysis and detailed evidence collection in burn injury cases.

How Florida’s Statute of Limitations Affects Your Case

Victims of burn injuries must act quickly to preserve their legal rights. Under Florida Statute §95.11, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years from the date of the accident.

Missing this deadline can result in your case being dismissed, regardless of its strength. However, exceptions may apply in cases involving minors, incapacitation, or delayed discovery of injuries. Consulting an attorney early ensures you don’t lose your right to pursue damages due to procedural issues.

The Long-Term Impact of Car Accident Burn Injuries

Severe burns can lead to months or even years of physical and emotional recovery. Victims often face repeated surgeries, physical therapy, and emotional trauma from visible scars or disfigurement. Beyond physical pain, many struggle with depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the event.

In Florida, courts and juries often take the psychological impact of burn injuries seriously when awarding damages. That’s why documenting emotional effects — such as therapy records or statements from mental health professionals — can strengthen a claim significantly.

Why Legal Guidance Matters in Florida Burn Injury Cases

Navigating a burn injury claim is rarely straightforward. Between medical evidence, insurance adjusters, and potential product defects, victims can quickly feel overwhelmed. An experienced Florida car accident attorney can:

• Conduct an independent investigation.
• Work with medical and fire experts to establish cause.
• Negotiate with insurance companies for maximum settlement.
• Pursue litigation if fair compensation isn’t offered.

In practice, having a dedicated advocate means you can focus on healing while your legal team handles the complex aspects of your case.

Need Legal Help? Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law is One Phone Call Away

A car accident that leads to burn injuries can change every part of your life — from your appearance and confidence to your ability to work. If you or someone you love has suffered burn injuries from a car crash in Florida, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Our legal team understands how Florida’s negligence and product liability laws intersect and how to secure compensation for both physical and emotional damages. From complex insurance negotiations to courtroom representation, Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law stands ready to protect your rights and help you rebuild your future.

 Contact us today!