Most Common Injuries Sustained in a Car Accident
It’s not uncommon to experience pain after a minor car accident, even if you don’t appear to have any apparent injuries. The sheer force of the crash coupled with your adrenaline can mean that aches and pains present themselves in the hours and days afterward.
However, some injuries are a little more common and severe, particularly in a car accident involving another vehicle. No matter whether the injury is small or severe, there are 3 major steps to follow: checking if anyone is injured and calling the police and the ambulance, gathering important information, and contacting a lawyer. An experienced car accident lawyer can help guide you through the claims process, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure that you receive the compensation you're entitled to for any medical bills and damages. With the right legal representation, you can have peace of mind knowing that your case is being handled by a professional who has your best interests in mind.
Read on to learn what some of the more well-known injuries are so that you know what to be aware of if you find yourself in this very situation.
Whiplash and Neck Injuries
If you have sustained whiplash and neck injuries in an accident, it may be worth calling a car accident attorney for help and advice on what to do next. As common as these injuries are, they can cause severe discomfort for days, months, and even years after an accident has occurred. You shouldn’t have to absorb the costs associated with this injury when someone else was at fault.
Whiplash and neck pain occurs when your soft tissue has been injured. Even traveling at speeds of around 15 miles per hour can be enough to result in muscle, ligament, and tendon damage, as well as cervical dislocation and disk injury.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
You don’t have to travel on the deadliest road to suffer from one of the deadliest injuries. Even your average highway travels can result in a crash that causes a traumatic brain injury (TBI). In fact, car accidents are the leading cause of such injuries, with up to 1.7 million Americans sustaining a mild to severe TBI annually.
Back Injuries
You may not feel a back injury at the time of your vehicle accident, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t sustained one, and they can show up months or years later. The pain and sometimes even disability from a back injury can change your life significantly, withh long-distance road tripsbecoming excruciating for many. Seeing a personal injury attorney can be worthwhile to improve your chances of compensation.
Broken Bones
Our bones aren’t designed to take significant impact, so they respond by breaking or fracturing. Simple breaks may only require a cast, but severe or compound fractures can result in surgery.
Spinal Cord Injuries
No one ever expects to find themselves with a spinal cord injury when simply going out for a drive somewhere new, but they happen. Spinal injuries can cause partial or total paralysis and change your life forever. Seeking legal assistance may help you receive compensation to manage your new way of life.
Internal Injuries
Hitting objects inside your car or being hit by debris in a car accident can cause significant internal injuries. These sometimes require emergency medical treatment and aren’t always immediately obvious. You don’t need to be traveling on the worst roads to sustain such injuries; you simply need to be in a collision. If you suspect internal injuries after an accident, seek medical help urgently.
As common as these injuries are to receive in a car accident, it doesn’t make them any easier to manage. They can alter how you live, along with your quality of life. If you have sustained any of these injuries or others, contact a personal injury attorney to fight for the compensation you deserve.