Massachusetts Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation Law Blog
Car accidents are more than just collisions on the road; they often bring with them a range of injuries that can vary from minor to really serious. It’s important for all of us, especially high school students who might soon be hitting the roads, to know about these injuries, what they mean, and what kind of help is available for those who experience them.
In this detailed article, we’ll break down the most common types of injuries from car accidents, talk about the risks involved, and even touch on the legal side of things—what compensation might be available for those who find themselves hurt after a crash.
The Whiplash Effect: When Your Neck Takes a Hit
Imagine your head being quickly jerked forward and then backward, like the snap of a whip—that’s what we call whiplash. It’s one of the most common injuries from car accidents. Whiplash can mess with the ligaments, tendons, joints, discs, and muscles in your neck. Symptoms usually show up within a day and include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
Things like getting rear-ended, high-speed crashes, or not having your head close to the headrest can make whiplash more likely. Long-term effects might mean dealing with chronic neck pain, headaches, and having a tougher time moving your neck around.
Back Troubles: When Your Spine Takes a Hit
Car accidents can also lead to all sorts of problems with your back and spine. From strains and sprains to fractures, these injuries can be painful. Symptoms depend on where you’re hurt and how bad it is but might include back pain, weakness or tingling in your legs, and trouble moving your spine around.
Rollover accidents, being thrown out of a vehicle, high-speed crashes, or accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists can make back and spine injuries more likely.
Over time, these injuries might cause lasting back pain, problems moving, or even trouble with your bladder and bowels.
Bumps to the Brain: When Your Head Takes a Serious Hit
Car accidents are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in the U.S. Your head can get banged up pretty badly, ranging from minor to severe injuries. The impact’s force and direction can determine how bad things get. Symptoms include memory problems, trouble concentrating, mood swings, fatigue, and even physical issues like balancing problems and headaches.
Serious accidents like rollovers, head-on collisions, or crashes involving larger vehicles increase the risk of head injuries. Long-term effects can be as serious as permanent damage to how you think, speak, and move, making it hard to live independently.
Broken Bones: When Your Body Takes a Beating
Broken arms, legs, and other bones are common injuries in car accidents. Symptoms depend on where the break is but might include severe pain, swelling, and trouble moving. Front and side crashes, high-speed collisions, being thrown out of a vehicle, or accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists can increase the chances of breaking bones. Over time, these injuries might mean permanent trouble moving, dealing with chronic pain, and damage to nerves and tissues.
Mental Scars: When Your Mind Takes a Hit
Injuries from car accidents aren’t just physical; they can leave lasting scars on your mind too. The stress of a crash, especially if it leaves you with permanent physical injuries, can lead to mental health issues. Things like anxiety, mood swings, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can stick around for years or a lifetime. It’s a reminder that the effects of an accident go beyond what you can see on the outside and can impact your career, quality of life, and ability to live independently.
Common Car Crash Injuries and the Numbers
Let’s take a quick look at some numbers to understand just how common these injuries are. In Dallas alone, there were over 31,000 car accidents in recent years. Among them were 194 fatal crashes, 867 with suspected serious injuries, and a whopping 12,103 possible injuries. This shows that accidents can range from minor to really serious, affecting thousands of people.
Recognizing Car Accident Injuries
Knowing what types of injuries can happen in a car accident is important. There are two main categories: impact injuries and penetrating injuries. Impact injuries are when a person hits part of the car or gets thrown out and hits the ground or other objects. Penetrating injuries happen when loose objects in the car fly around and hit the person.
Recognizing these injuries, even if they seem small at first, is crucial. Sometimes, you might not even be aware of the extent of your injuries right after an accident. That’s why it’s essential to let on-site medical staff know if anything feels different or unusual. Getting checked out early gives you the best chance at a smooth recovery.
Legal Compensation for Car Accident Injuries
Now, let’s talk about what happens after an accident from a legal perspective. If you’re hurt because of someone else’s mistake on the road, you might be entitled to compensation. The average compensation for bodily injury claims after a car accident is around $20,235.
This money is meant to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. It’s important to estimate future costs, especially if you have injuries that will affect you for a long time.
How Compensation Is Determined
The amount of compensation you get depends on a few things. If you share any blame for the accident, your compensation could be reduced based on how much fault is yours. The stronger your case—meaning more evidence supporting your claim—the more likely it is that you’ll get a fair settlement.
You also have to decide whether to settle with the other driver’s insurance company or go to court. Going to court might be a bit of a gamble, but sometimes it’s the best way to get the compensation you deserve.
Getting Compensation: What to Do
If you want to get compensation for your injuries, here are the steps to take:
- Notify your insurance company: Let them know about the accident as soon as possible. They can help you file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance.
- Consider hiring an attorney: Especially if your injuries are serious or if you’re dealing with a lot of damage, having a lawyer can be really helpful. They can negotiate a settlement for you and make sure you’re treated fairly.
- Statute of Limitations: There’s a limit on how long you have to file a lawsuit, usually between two and four years. Don’t wait too long to make your claim, or you might miss out on the compensation you deserve.
- Sue or Settle: Decide if you want to accept a settlement offer or if you’d prefer to go to court. Your attorney can guide you on the best path for your situation.
Seeking Professional Help After an Accident
Car crashes can be pretty chaotic. Getting prompt medical treatment is crucial, and it’s always better to be cautious. If you’re injured, you might need help getting compensation for your injuries. That’s where a lawyer who specializes in car accidents or personal injury can come in.
Many will review your case for free, and they can help guide you through the process of getting back on the road to recovery.
Conclusion
Car accidents are more than just bumps on the road; they can lead to serious injuries like broken ribs, chest injuries, and even harm to internal organs. The impact of an auto accident can go beyond what we see on the outside, causing psychological injuries and lasting effects on our brains, possibly causing brain damage.
Seeking prompt medical treatment is crucial, especially for soft tissue injuries including some that might not be immediately apparent. If you or someone you know has been involved in a motor vehicle accident and is dealing with injuries and needs medical attention, including those mentioned, remember that you’re not alone.
Earley Law Group Injury Lawyers are here to help you with the legal side of things, ensuring you get the support and compensation you deserve. Don’t hesitate to call us for guidance on your road to recovery. Stay safe on the roads!