What Kind of Injuries Can Happen in a Car Accident?

The injuries one may suffer in a car accident varies based on many different factors, including who was involved and the type of collision that occurred.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)-distributed book Motor Vehicle Collisions (MVCs) by Tammy J. Toney-Butler and Matthew Varacallo, some common accidents with commonly reported injuries include:

• T-bone accidents: can result in brain injuries and fractures of the pelvis, neck, clavicle, and skull.
• Rear-end collisions: can increase the risk of whiplash and spinal trauma.
• Frontal and near-side collisions: can cause internal bleeding after forceful impact against the steering wheel.

The weight and age of the occupants in the vehicle at the time of the accident can contribute to the severity of these injuries. Additionally, if passengers are not wearing a seatbelt, they can suffer additional afflictions to the ones we have listed here.

Always Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident

No matter the type of collision someone is in, they should always seek immediate medical attention for their injuries. Even if you are able to walk away from the accident scene with minor cuts and bruises, only a medical professional can give you a clean bill of health. By seeking prompt medical care, you can not only receive treatment for your condition, but also establish a connection between yourself and the accident which may become relevant later.

If you do not get medical attention following a collision, and later move forward with legal action against the at-fault party, they can argue that your injuries did not result from the accident, but from something else. Keeping all paperwork relating to your medical care can work to your advantage if you enter litigation. Florida Motor Vehicle Statute 316.066 also requires law enforcement officers to file long-form Traffic Crash Reports within 10 days of investigating a crash.

Your Injuries can Support Your Claim

Not only can your injuries give your legal team insight into how an accident occurred, but they will also affect what items you can claim as damages. For instance, a claim for spinal cord trauma will likely be able to pursue different awards than a claim for whiplash.

The following are some of the injuries that can happen in a car accident.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

One of the most frequently seen results of a car accident is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs can range from mild concussions to serious hemorrhaging. These conditions may require surgery or result in permanent disabilities.

Different kinds of TBIs can include:

• Contusions: which are bruises on the brain that may take years to heal.
• Diffuse axonal injuries: which happen when nerve cells stretch and tear due to the sharp movement of the brain back and forth inside the skull.
• Hematomas: which occur when blood collects outside of a vessel after rupturing.

Depending on the severity of a car accident, a victim may suffer from one or more TBIs at the same time. All require immediate medical evaluation and treatment. Again, keeping records of your treatment, diagnosis, medications, and other details can be crucial when seeking compensation for your losses.

Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Broken and fractured bones can occur throughout the body following a car accident. However, some of the most severe injuries may occur when there are breaks or fractures in the spinal cord. If the smaller discs and vertebrae in a victim’s back are broken or knocked out of alignment, it can cause serious pain and suffering. In some catastrophic cases, the spinal cord could be completely fractured or broken in several places, which may result in temporary or permanent paralysis.

Organ Damage

Due to the intense impact of vehicles in a car accident, some victims may suffer internal injuries. These can range from internal bleeding to organ damage. Symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Bruising
• Nausea or vomiting
• Bloody stool
• Confusion
• Weakness

These conditions may not immediately appear in the hours following your accident. A medical professional can assess the situation and may take preventative measures to keep your injuries from developing into life-threatening dangers.

Call Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Review

If you were involved in a car accident and suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence, after seeking medical attention you should consider working with a personal injury lawyer. A lawyer can help to investigate the crash, handle communications with the involved parties, and negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf.

At Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, our team works with clients directly, and can perform these services and more. To get started with a free case review, call us today at (855) 529-0269.