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What Are the Most Common Car Accident Injuries?

Posted on behalf of Arnold Law Firm in
neck injury from auto accidentCar 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.

Settlement - $3,767,000

Truck Accident

A 20-year-old man who had been married for just 12 days left home on his way to work. He was driving on Pleasant Grove Road in Sutter County in the early morning when he came upon a slow-moving truck. As he pulled out to pass the truck, the truck driver turned left in front of him. The young man attempted to steer back into his lane but his vehicle struck an un-flagged piece of metal extending from the back of the truck. He died in the resulting crash.

Expert witnesses brought in by the Arnold Law Firm proved that the truck, owned and operated by a hauling firm, should never have been on the highway that morning. Specifically, the rear and side turn signals did not work and the rear-view mirror was in a poor state of adjustment at the time of the collision. As a result, the driver, who had failed to properly inspect the vehicle before setting out that morning, couldn’t see the young man’s vehicle as it attempted to pass.

The poor condition of the truck, its lack of maintenance and the manner in which it was operated were found to be substantial factors in causing the collision that killed the young man. The testimony also established that the man had been making a lawful pass at the lawful speed limit and acted reasonably when he attempted to avoid the collision.

The man’s 20-year-old widow was awarded $3,767,000.77, his parents were awarded $185,131 and the family was reimbursed $11,899 in funeral expenses. Though money is a poor substitute for a young man’s life, this verdict demonstrates that drivers who endanger the lives of others will be held accountable for their actions.