Car accident injuries can be fatal or cause extremely serious injury, not to mention a severe expense. Car accidents are also common. More than 3 million people are injured in car accidents each year in this country, according to the NHTSA. Further studies show that the cost of car accidents in the United States in one year is an approximate $277 billion. That is near $900 per person living in the country. If you or a loved one is injured in a car accident, it is vital that you hire an effective personal injury lawyer. Doing so can save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars.
Obviously, car accidents widely vary in type and severity. Certain accidents cause very minor injuries or none at all. Some of these accidents can be resolved outside of court in a matter of days.
On the other hand, certain car accidents, particularly accidents causing serious physical disability, take months or years to resolve.
The severity of different car accidents depends on a few factors. Some of these factors regard safety features such as seatbelts or airbags. Others regard accident variables like vehicle speed, the direction of impact, and passenger or driver body position.
Car accident injuries break down into two categories: impact injuries and penetrating injuries. Impact injuries normally involve a body part hitting some part of the interior of the vehicle. Penetrating injuries normal involves cuts or scrapes. Window glass can shatter during an accident, dispersing and penetrating the skin of passengers or drivers.
The following details the most common of all types of car accident injuries. Personal injury lawyers handle each of these injuries, and more. Be aware that for severe injuries, medical attention is essential.
Whiplash
Whiplash is the most common car accident injury. Rear-end collision, in particular, causes passengers sudden, violent head and neck movement. This can result in serious neck muscle or ligament injury.
Whiplash often results in what is called soft tissue injury. Soft tissue injury by definition involves muscles, ligaments, or tendons. Mid-back or lower back sprains are classified as soft tissue injuries. They also impact injuries often caused by intense impact to the spine.
General Neck Pain
Pain or swelling in the neck can happen even if intense whiplash is not involved. Trauma in all parts of the body can cause tension in the neck area. Moreover, it is not an anomaly if a patient suffers from vocal chord paralysis in the wake of a car accident.
General neck pain can often arise weeks after an accident occurs. It is smart to see a doctor after an accident, even if you have minimal pain. Even small, nearly undetectable can lead to serious injury. Be sure to alert your accident attorney about these symptoms.
Broken Ribs or Collapsed Lungs
The blunt force trauma in car accidents can greatly damage the chest area, as well. In addition to broken ribs or collapsed lungs, occupants can suffer heart attacks. People with heart issues can enter traumatic cardiac arrest during or after a car accident.
Impact to areas of the body near the chest can also cause internal bleeding. The powerful, violent force of a car accident applied to the abdomen or pelvis can cause internal organ bleeding. Injuries involved internal bleeding require immediate medical attention.
Arm, Leg, and Hand Injuries
Injuries to the arms, legs, and hands are also common. The same, sudden force that throws about one’s head can have the same effect on one’s limbs. Car occupants often have limited legroom. As a result, impact during an accident can smash one’s knees against the dashboard. Arm, leg, and hand injuries range from bruises to breaks.
Cuts and Scrapes
Penetrating injuries cause cuts and scrapes. Broken glass or other objects can be thrown around the car’s interior during an accident. Airbag deployment has even been known to cause cuts and scrapes.
Psychological Damage
Physical, not psychological injury normally comes to mind when one considers car accidents. Yet, psychological injuries sustained during and after an accident can be just as damaging. For instance, the trauma of seeing a loved one in pain can have intense, long-term psychological implications. Do not overlook any psychological injuries you have sustained as a result of a car accident.
Hiring a Lawyer
Involvement in an accident already results in enough stress. The above injuries show this. If you are involved in an accident, it is imperative that you avoid further, financial stress by hiring an adequate attorney. You may be unaware as to exactly how much money you are entitled to as part of the settlement of a car accident.
Also, realize those car accident injuries are not always immediately noticeable. Depending on the injury, symptoms may not arise until weeks after the car accident. This gives you all the more reason to seek medical attention sooner, rather than later. Any slight hint of a symptom or none at all could be the precursor of serious medical problems.
