September 21, 2023 | Personal injury

Car accidents can leave victims in shock. Victims can also suffer physical injuries from the accident. When this happens, it is crucial that accident victims seek medical care as soon as possible. This is true even if your injuries seem minor. It isn’t uncommon for car accident victims to suffer complications days or even weeks after the car accident. Seeking medical attention immediately after the car accident could make a big difference in safeguarding your health.

The impact of a car accident is felt for a long time after the actual accident. Survivors have to contend with the expenses of medical care as well as missing work. Some may even suffer lifelong effects as a result of catastrophic injuries. It is therefore important for car accident victims to seek the guidance and representation of experienced personal injury attorneys as soon as possible after the accident. An attorney will help you on your path to financial recovery.

Common Injuries Suffered in Car Accidents

• Bruising

This is the most common type of injury suffered by car accident victims. Most bruises are harmless and heal in about a week or two. Bruising is often caused by impact with objects such as the seat belt or the body of the vehicle.

There are instances when bruising can be serious. For example, bruising can be a sign of internal bleeding or the damage may penetrate all the way to the bone. It is therefore important that you seek medical care even for what seems like a slight bruise. You should pay special attention to bruises on the head as they may be indicative of a head injury. This can escalate quickly.

• Cuts and lacerations

These occur when objects and debris cut through the car accident victim’s flesh. Cuts and lacerations are often caused by flying debris, broken glass and impact with parts of the car. These injuries can be minor when the damage is only skin deep. They may heal in a matter of weeks. However, they can be serious when damage goes deeper. Severe damage can not only result in pain and other complications but also lifelong scarring and disfigurement.

• Broken bones

Fractures and broken bones are injuries that often occur in a serious car accident involving a great deal of force during the collision. Broken bones and fractures aren’t always detectable at the time of the accident. This is because they are an internal injury. Many accident victims begin to experience pain later. These injuries can affect any part of the body including the chest, limbs and pelvis.

• Neck injuries

Neck injuries are quite common in car accidents. These injuries often occur as a result of the sudden and forceful back and forth jarring of the body during a collision. The forceful movement can result in injury of the muscles, cartilage, tendons and other soft tissues in the neck.

Whiplash is a type of neck injury commonly suffered in car accidents. This injury occurs when the neck is snapped back and forth forcefully. The symptoms of the injury are often not noticeable immediately after the accident. Victims may begin to experience pain hours or days after the accident. The trauma caused to the tissues in the neck can take months to heal. Some victims experience pain for the rest of their lives.

• Traumatic brain injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a common injury in vehicle crashes. These injuries can occur as a result of a blow to the head. They can also occur when the body is jarred back and forth forcefully causing the brain to slam against the inside of the skull.

Traumatic brain injuries can range from minor concussions to severe brain injuries that interfere with cognitive and physical functions of the body. These injuries often aren’t readily recognizable after the accident. They require diagnosis by a doctor. It is important to seek immediate medical attention in order to identify the condition and prevent complications.

• Back injuries

These injuries are often catastrophic injuries especially when the spinal cord and the nerves are affected. These injuries can result in lifelong impairment. The severity of the injury depends on the severity of damage to the spine, spinal cord and nerves. It also depends on the location of the injury along the spinal cord.

Victims with back injuries must receive medical treatment as soon as possible. Immediate treatment can help to prevent complications.

• Burns

Burn injuries can result from fires and explosions that occur after the collision. They can also occur as a result of coming into contact with hot parts of the vehicle or with hot spraying liquids. Burn injuries can range from minor to severe. These injuries can be life-threatening when they affect a large part of the body. They can also result in permanent scarring.

If you have been injured in a car accident, get in touch with us. Discuss your case with an experienced attorney from our law firm and learn about your rights and options.

Personal Injury from a Car Accident