Every year there are millions of car accidents in the United States. Some accidents are minor, while others are severe. And sometimes the true toll of the car accident is not immediately apparent.
Severe accidents often cause life-changing physical and emotional injuries. Even if you do not think you are injured, seek medical attention for yourself and your family members. Often the adrenaline rush after an accident covers the symptoms of your injury until hours after the accident and will typically get worse the next day. After receiving medical attention, contact a Southaven and Hernando car accident attorney from Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman today. A dedicated car accident lawyer is ready to listen to you and fight for the compensation you need to recover from your injuries.
Common Injuries in a Car Accident
Although new safety features reduce the seriousness of accidents, injuries from car accidents still happen frequently. The most common injuries include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal injuries
- Psychological trauma
Head and Brain Injuries
Airbags are one of the innovations that have lessened head and brain injuries. However, head and brain injuries are still common in car accidents. Side-impact accidents often lead to head trauma against the side of the car, especially in vehicles without side-impact airbags. Not being secured in a seat belt increases the chance of head and brain injuries. Pedestrians also suffer from head trauma when they are involved in an accident.
Less serious head injuries include lacerations to the head or face. Broken glass or other items flying around in the car may cause cuts and bruises. The impact of your head hitting the airbag or steering wheel can also cause more severe head and brain injuries and lacerations and burns. More severe head and brain injuries include broken bones in the face, concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and bleeding in the brain.
Neck and Back Injuries
Neck and back injuries include whiplash and spinal cord injury. Whiplash is a prevalent injury in rear-impact crashes because of the whipping nature of the head and neck. Spinal cord injuries can occur in a rollover crash, high-speed collision, or if the force of the impact ejects a person from the vehicle and in relatively minor crashes if the right forces act on the spinal cord. Spinal cord injuries can result in extreme pain or paralysis in severe cases. Other back injuries may result from the accident but not be apparent at the time of the crash.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Broken bones are frequent injuries in car accidents. Depending on the location of impact, the following areas of the body can experience broken or fractured bones:
- Arms
- Wrists
- Ribs
- Ankles
- Face
- Legs
Seatbelts can also cause broken or bruised collar bones. Broken bones are common when a pedestrian or cyclist is involved in an accident.
Internal Injuries
Internal bleeding or damage to organs is possible in car accidents. Internal injuries can result from the car crushing around you or other impacts to your abdomen or chest. As some internal injuries may get worse or appear hours or days after the accident, it is vital to seek medical attention, even if you are unaware of any injuries. The initial shock of the accident may help mask the severity of injuries. If left untreated, internal bleeding can be fatal.
Psychological Trauma
Emotional trauma is common after a car accident. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression are all possible after a car accident, both as a result of the accident and the physical injuries you may have experienced. You may find it difficult to drive again, to be on certain streets, or to use your bicycle. The emotional trauma may last longer than the physical trauma your body endures from a car accident and significantly impact your life. If you have permanent injuries or chronic pain, the psychological effects can impact your quality of life and your ability to have or maintain a job.
Factors that Affect the Severity of Injuries
Many factors will affect the severity of the injuries. Some of these factors are:
- The speed of the vehicles involved in the crash
- The location of the impact
- The way you were situated in the car—facing forward or turned in the seat—when the impact occurred
- Whether the driver and passengers wear seatbelts and if they used the seatbelts correctly
- Whether other safety features, such as airbags, were in the car and functional
- The size and weight of the vehicles involved in the accident
- Your overall health and age when you were in the accident
Hiring a Southaven & Hernando Car Accident Attorney After Being Injured
After you or a family member has been in a car accident, there are numerous steps to take. Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer can help alleviate the stress of trying to recover compensation for your injuries. A car accident attorney will:
- Handle communication with insurance companies and negotiate on your behalf
- Investigate who is at fault for the accident
- Represent you in court if a lawsuit is necessary
- Fight for compensation for your injuries
- Protect your rights and ensure someone is listening to your needs
Contact Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman As Soon As Possible after a Car Accident
A car accident’s physical and emotional toll can significantly impact your life. Focus on your recovery and let a skilled car accident lawyer handle the legal and insurance process. Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman is here to fight for the compensation you need and deserve for your injuries.
Contact an experienced car accident attorney from Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman today.
