Injuries From Car Accidents: Affecting Lives for Years to Come

Injures from serious car accidents impact victims’ lives significantly – and often tragically. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than three million people were injured in U.S. vehicle accidents during 2016 alone. Anyone involved in a crash should be evaluated by a physician to determine the extent of their injuries. That’s why it’s important to understand the types of injuries that passengers and drivers may suffer.

Here are some of the more common types of car accident injuries that can cause ongoing effects, which call for personal injury compensation.

Traumatic Brain Injury – TBI is the result of a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury to the head, causing a loss of brain function. Moderate to severe TBI symptoms usually continue over time and may be permanent.

Broken Bones – Simple or compound fractures, requiring casts or surgery, can affect the arms, legs, ankles, and other bones. Broken ribs, pelvis injuries, and skull fractures are also seen in crashes.

Loss of Limbs – A serious accident may result in a driver or passenger losing an arm or leg through amputation.

Internal Injures – Crushing forces or penetration injuries will cause internal bleeding. They may also result in organ damage, such as to the kidneys, liver, spleen, heart, and lungs.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis – Severe injuries to the spinal cord can result from the body’s exposure to a heavy impact or force, leading to the life-changing loss of movement and sensation. Paralysis from a spinal cord injury is described as paraplegia (affecting arms, trunk, and legs) and quadriplegia (affecting trunk and legs).

Back Injuries – Damage to the upper or lower back means compressed nerves, pain, and numbness. Common back injuries include compression fractures in the spine, herniated discs, and spondylolisthesis (slipping lower vertebra).

Fatal Injuries – A catastrophic injury or multiple serious injuries to various body parts or organs may lead to death. Tragically, head injuries, broken necks, chest injuries, major blood vessel damage, and burns can cause immediate death – or become fatal after the accident.

If an accident has led to your injuries or to the loss of a loved one, an attorney can help you navigate your car accident injury claim. You will want to seek the advice of a lawyer with a record of success in personal injury cases where victims experienced physical and emotional trauma. To gain knowledgeable guidance after a serious injury, contact Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman as soon as possible. We will reach out to you as soon as possible.