Common Injuries from Accidents

Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Car accidents are one of the primary causes of injuries in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2014, 2.34 million people were injured in car accidents, and many of those injuries were severe. Car and truck accident victims can suffer from a variety of severe injuries, some of which will result in permanent disability. Accident victims who have suffered injuries should contact a car accident attorney for assistance in filing their claim.

Some of the most common severe injuries include:

Broken Ribs

Rib and chest injuries are fairly common in car accidents. Rib fractures are typically caused by severe trauma to the chest – when the force from an impact pushes the vehicle occupant into their seatbelt or airbag, the pressure on the rib area may cause a fracture. These injuries are typically non-life threatening but they can cause severe pain and prevent an accident victim from doing their everyday activities.

In more severe cases, an accident can displace the ribs, collapse the lungs, and damage other tissues or organs. In some patients, chest trauma can also result in traumatic cardiac arrest or internal bleeding.

Back Injuries

Back injuries are very common in serious car and truck accidents. Accident victims may experience spinal cord damage, which can negatively affect mobility, flexibility, and body control. Many patients with spinal cord damage end up paralyzed and require around-the-clock care.

Fractured disks are also a common back injury. Accident victims with fractured disks may experience numbness, weakened muscles, and pain. While not as severe as spinal cord damage, fractured disks may result in chronic pain and months of physical therapy.

Broken Bones

Broken bones occur in many accidents where the person tries to brace themselves for the collision. For example, they may extend their arm and place their hand on the dashboard – the impact can then place a large amount of stress on the hand, wrist, and arm.

In some cases, broken bones will heal normally within a few months. However, if the break does not heal properly, it can lead to a lifetime of pain. Some accidents also result in severed limbs, which can result in a loss of mobility and emotional distress.

Head and Neck Injuries

Head injuries can occur when an accident victim hits their head on a steering wheel, window, or other part of the car. Any sort of head trauma can result in a traumatic brain injury. While some TBIs are mild concussions with no long-term consequences, a severe TBI can have many long-lasting effects. Some of these effects include cognitive difficulties, vision and hearing loss, and permanent disability.

Whiplash is a neck injury that commonly occurs in rear-end collisions and typically results in numbness, stiffness, dizziness, and pain. In more serious cases, the accident victim may suffer from a herniated disc, neck fracture, or spinal cord injury. The victim may require surgery or physical therapy as a result. Some victims will suffer permanent disability and will require at-home care.

Burns

If a car accident involves a fire, victims may suffer from extensive burns. The more severe the burns, the more difficult the road to recovery will be. Some burns result in complications such as infections (i.e. tetanus), blood loss, and permanent scarring.

Meanwhile, motorcycle and bicycle accidents can cause road rash, where the rider’s skin scrapes against the pavement, causing severe abrasions similar to burns.

Disfigurement

Serious injuries caused by car and truck accidents can leave victims with permanent disfigurement, like scarring, amputation, and more. As a result, accident victims can suffer from depression, low self-esteem, and emotional trauma. Disfigurement can also negatively affect their social life and career.

Internal Injuries

Not all accident injuries are visible to the eye. Blunt trauma and penetrating trauma could cause internal injuries. The force of a high-speed car or truck accident can cause the victim to hit various parts of the vehicle, resulting in blunt trauma. Penetrating trauma can occur when an object pierces the victim’s body.

Car and truck accidents can cause significant internal injuries to the:

• Spleen
• Liver
• Lungs
• Heart
• Kidneys

Internal injuries can result in internal bleeding, blood vessel tears, swelling, and abdominal pain.

All injuries, no matter how small or large, can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating to accident victims and their families. However, you do not have to suffer alone. Attorney Hilda Sibrian has worked with numerous injury victims and helped them recover compensation. Contact The Law Offices of Hilda Sibrian™ at 713-714-1414 for more information on how you can receive damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.