Serious Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
A car accident can easily result in severe injuries for both drivers and passengers. These injuries may include broken bones, cuts and bruises, and internal injuries such as head trauma, organ damage, and spinal injuries. Broken bones, which can range from minor fractures to severe compound fractures, can be incredibly painful and may require extensive medical treatment for complete recovery. Cuts and bruises are common, too, and even seemingly minor cuts can result in infection or other complications. Internal injuries, such as head trauma, are particularly serious. They may include brain bleeding, cerebral trauma, and other issues that can be long-lasting and may require specialized care. Organ damage, such as contusions, sheared or lacerated livers, can have life-threatening consequences if not addressed immediately. Spinal injuries can lead to paralysis or a very long road to recovery.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident speak to a car accident lawyer as soon as possible to learn what your legal options are. Car accidents can result in a variety of severe injuries. Broken bones, cuts and bruises, internal injuries, organ damage, and spinal injuries can all occur in a car crash, and each can have a range of consequences. The severity of injuries depends on the magnitude of the accident, so it is important to always wear a seatbelt and drive safely in order to help protect yourself from more serious injuries.
Car Accident Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injury:
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the most serious injuries to result from a car accident. TBI occurs when a person experiences a sudden and strong force to the head, causing damage to the delicate neural tissues. Symptoms vary but can include physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral issues that can have a long-term effect on the person’s health and quality of life.
Spinal Cord Injury:
Spinal cord injuries are another serious type of injury that can result from a car accident. This injury occurs when a person suffers a severe blow to the back, which can cause nerves in the spinal cord to be compressed or severed. Symptoms of spinal cord injury include paralysis, sensation loss, difficulty controlling body temperature and changes in sexual function.
Fractures:
Fractures are a common result of a car accident. These are breaks to the bone caused by a sudden and significant force. Fractures can come in many forms, from hairline fractures to compound fractures that penetrate the skin. The treatment of a fracture will depend on its size and location, and the healing process can take weeks or months to complete. Serious fractures may require surgery to realign the bones. Internal fixation refers to the method of physically reconnecting the bones. This method uses special screws, plates, wires or nails to align the bones correctly. This prevents the bones from healing abnormally.
Amputation:
Amputation is a potential serious injury after a car accident. This is when a person has to have a body part removed due to the severity of the trauma. Even with quick medical interventions, there is no cure for amputation and the person must live with the limitations caused by it.
Lung Damage:
Lung damage is another type of serious injury that can occur as a result of a car accident. This can happen when a person experiences blunt trauma to the chest that can lead to broken ribs, punctured lungs or internal bleeding. Treatment for lung damage will vary depending on what form of damage has occurred, but in the most severe cases, a person may need to be placed on a ventilator to assist with breathing.
Burns:
Burns are yet another serious injury that can occur from a car accident. This happens when a person makes contact with a high temperature source due to either coming into contact with that source or from an explosion in the car. Depending on the severity of the burn, treatment may range from basic first aid to surgery and extensive rehabilitative care.
Internal Bleeding:
Internal bleeding is another serious injury that can occur in a car accident. This happens when a person experiences a significant blunt force trauma to the body, such as when a seatbelt is worn but is too tight or when a person is not wearing a seatbelt at all. Depending on the severity, treatment for internal bleeding can range from medications for blood clotting to surgery.
Broken Ribs:
Broken ribs are an unfortunately common form of injury that can occur in a car accident. This happens when the force of the impact causes the ribs to crack or break, leaving the person with severe pain and difficulty breathing. Treatment for broken ribs can vary, from simple splinting and broken rib care to more involved surgeries depending on the severity of the injury.
Neck and Back Injuries:
Neck and back injuries are extremely common in car accidents and can range from whiplash to more serious spinal injuries or paralysis. Common symptoms include pain, tingling, numbness, and limited mobility and range of motion. Treatment for neck and back injuries will depend on the severity, but can include physical therapy, medications and sometimes surgery.
Head and Facial Injuries:
The head and face of drivers and passengers are extremely vulnerable to impact with the vehicle’s interior, the ground or other objects during a rollover. Impacts can lead to injuries such as skull fractures, facial lacerations and jaw injuries. If the occupant’s upper body and head are trapped by the crushing roof, suffocation or positional asphyxia can occur during the accident.
Lacerations and Abrasions:
Sharp objects, shattered glass and debris from both inside and outside of the vehicle can cause cuts, lacerations and abrasions to the occupant’s skin in a car accident. Motorcycle accidents often cause “road rash,” which is a serious abrasion to the motorcyclist as he or she is thrown from the motorcycle and dragged across an abrasive surface like cement or asphalt.
Emotional and Psychological Trauma:
A rollover accident can be a traumatic experience to drivers and passengers. Rollovers may create mental health conditions triggered by such a terrifying event. Disfiguring scars, accident flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event are a few of the possible symptoms. For many people this can lead to mental anguish, psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe anxiety and depression.
Fatal Injuries:
Sadly, a high number of rollover accidents result in death. Unbelted occupants are often ejected from the vehicle and suffer severe head or chest trauma leading to fatalities. The greater the speed of the vehicles involved in a crash, the more substantial the energy forces and resulting damage to the occupants of the vehicle.
Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury from a car accident, speak to a lawyer about your legal rights as soon as possible. Injured occupants should seek medical attention immediately but it is also important to secure representation so you and your family’s interests are protected. When families are dealing with the chaos from a tragic car accident they should be focused on their recovery and healing. However, medical bills and the stress of dealing with the insurance companies of the involved parties can be extremely difficult in an already stressful time. Protect yourself, know your rights, and contact an experienced car accident lawyer today!