What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?
Car accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries, but certain areas of the body are more commonly affected. Below are some of the injuries that frequently impact our motor vehicle accident clients at the Arnold Law Firm.
Head Injuries
Many types of car accidents can cause severe trauma to the head and brain. Driver and passenger skulls can collide with parts of the car, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, window or even the air bag. Objects loose in the cabin of the car can also cause strike the head of an occupant. These impacts can result in cuts, bruises and lacerations, as well as damage to the brain, including concussion and other traumatic brain injury.
Some types of traumatic brain injury result from forceful motion and may not require direct impact or loss of consciousness to cause damage. If you suspect brain injury, be sure to seek medical treatment immediately. Early symptoms of head injury include nausea, vomiting, confusion, and headache.
Depending on the severity, head injuries can cause temporary or lasting damage, including:
- Hearing loss
- Headaches
- Vision problems
- Skull fractures
- Memory problems
Neck Injuries
Whiplash is a common car accident injury, often occurring in rear-end collisions, when the head is thrown forward and then abruptly comes to a stop. This violent motion can cause nerve, muscle and ligament damage in the neck.
Insurance companies tend to downplay the severity of neck injuries because they tend to involve soft tissues. However, soft tissue damage can cause severe pain and be even more challenging to repair than broken bones.
Symptoms of a neck injury can be similar to those of a head injury, including headaches and blurred vision. Additional symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Depression
- Trouble concentrating
Back Injuries
The impact of a car accident can cause trauma to the back, resulting in strains, dislocated discs, and nerve damage. Even a minor back injury can result in lost mobility, physical pain and weakness that make it difficult to work or perform other daily activities. In severe cases, back injuries can result in paralysis, including paraplegia, a condition when both legs are paralyzed. Victims can also experience loss of use or numbness in other areas of the body, such as the hands and arms.
Limb Injuries
Extremities can be injured when they collide with various parts of the vehicle. The driver and passengers can suffer cuts, bruises, broken bones, dislocations and tearing of tissues. Torn ligaments or dislocation of the knee is common. In severe accidents, loss of limb can occur due to severing or extensive damage that requires amputation.
Chest Injuries
Vehicle collisions often cause trauma to the chest and can result in severe and potentially life-threatening injuries. Immediate medical attention for chest injuries can make the difference between life and death. Chest injuries can include:
- Broken or bruised ribs
- Collapsed lung
- Cardiac arrest if the victim has heart problems
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to organs
Your Post-Accident Legal Options
When a car accident occurs, injured victims are often unclear about their rights and what to do next. They aren’t sure whether or not to contact an attorney. There are numerous advantages to working with an attorney after a car crash. Not only can an auto accident attorney in Sacramento review your situation to inform you of legal options, he or she can also manage every aspect of your claim and investigation of your accident.
If you have been injured in an accident, contact a trusted Sacramento personal injury attorney today to review your situation at no cost. You may be entitled to compensation, and we are prepared to fight for a fair insurance settlement or personal injury verdict.
Schedule a free, no obligation legal consultation with our attorneys. Fill out a Free Case Evaluation form or call (916) 777-7777.
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After a drunk driver hit me I wasn’t really sure what to do. A friend of mine Highly Recommended Arnold Law Firm, what a great recommendation it has been! The staff from lawyers to assistants has been nothing short of amazing. Always are calling and emailing me to update what is going on with your case. A very nerve racking thing to deal with personal injury and what comes from it. But with Arnold Law Firm you can rest knowing they are fighting for every inch for you. Need a law office? Look no further!
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The Arnold Law Firm has a proven track record of success fighting for their clients and I am very thankful to have them supporting me during a very challenging time. What I did not expect is the level of compassion, partnership, and trust Stephanie and the team strives to achieve in what could have been a purely transactional relationship.If you want to be treated like a person, not a number, and know someone is looking out for your best interests, then look no further.