ESPANOL
Some of the most common car accident injuries are:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts and bruises
- Mental and emotional trauma
You could have also suffered from broken or fractured bones, burns, or other types of neck and back injuries. Whatever injuries you suffered, a car accident lawyer with our firm can help you pursue compensation for the related costs.
Typical Injuries People Suffer in a Car Accident
Below is a list of common car accident injuries you might have suffered.
Whiplash
Whiplash is when the neck quickly snaps back and forth. It is common for people to suffer this injury in a rear-end collision.
According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms may take days or weeks to show up. You might be suffering from whiplash if:
- Your neck is stiff or in pain.
- You’re experiencing headaches.
- You have a tingling or numbing sensation in your arms.
- You’re dizzy or fatigued.
- Your vision is blurry, or you have ringing in your ears.
Whiplash usually takes a few weeks or months to heal. However, it can have long-lasting effects in more serious cases.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Per Mayo Clinic, these injuries stem from a violent jolt to the head. In minor cases, you may suffer a concussion that will affect you temporarily. Serious cases involve torn tissues or internal bleeding that could result in long-lasting complications or death.
Similar to whiplash, symptoms might not turn up for some time after the injury occurred. Some signs that might be indicative of a traumatic brain injury are:
- Headaches
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Light sensitivity
- Nausea or vomiting
- Changes in mood
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
If your TBI is serious and/or goes untreated, you may go into a coma or a vegetative state.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal cord or nerves are damaged. Your strength and sensation will suffer should you incur a spinal cord injury. Mayo Clinic explains that the severity of these injuries is measured by completeness.
For example:
- Complete: If you lose all feeling and mobility below the injury site
- Incomplete: If you have lost some of your feeling and mobility below the injury site
In addition to paralysis, signs of a spinal cord injury are:
- Spasms
- Fertility problems
- Sexual dysfunction
- Painful sensation in your spinal cord
- Pain and pressure in your neck, back, or head
- Trouble breathing
- Walking off-balance
Cuts and Bruises
Shattered glass and the impact from the crash can cause cuts and bruises. These injuries are usually superficial and can be treated with first aid and over-the-counter medications.
However, if it’s a deep wound or you develop an infection, seek professional medical treatment.
Mental and Emotional Trauma
Car accidents can be traumatic events. You may feel mentally fine for days and weeks following the accident. However, you may want to consider seeking professional help if:
- You start feeling depressed, fearful, or anxious
- Have trouble sleeping
- Experience flashbacks of the car accident
What to Do After You’re Injured in a Car Accident
After you have ensured everyone’s safety and have called law enforcement to the accident scene, consider taking these steps:
Obtain Medical Treatment
Many of the injuries we have discussed here don’t show symptoms for up to several days. So, getting medical help as soon as possible will allow your doctor to detect underlying injuries. That way, you can start treatment to keep your injuries from getting worse.
Seeking medical care ensures your injuries are addressed, your condition is stable, and that there is a connection between the car accident and your injuries.
See Your Treatment Plan Through to the End
Adhere to your doctor’s orders. Take your prescriptions, go to physical and/or mental health therapy, and attend all of your doctor’s appointments. Don’t return to your previous routine until your doctor releases you.
However, if you wish to end your treatment prematurely, make sure you have your doctor write a statement that dictates your release. Otherwise, the other party’s insurance company may claim that your car accident injuries weren’t as serious as you made them out to be or that you made them worse.
Write Down Everything You Remember Before, During, and After the Car Accident
We encourage you to keep a journal that details your perspective of the accident and how life has been for you since. Jot down things like:
- How you feel mentally and physically every day
- Your treatment regimen, such as exercises you do or medications you take
- What you do during the day, whether it’s for work or leisure
Be as specific as possible in these entries.
Get Help From George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers After a Car Accident
The most common car accident injuries are important to us, but we want to focus on your injuries and how our lawyers can help you pursue compensation for them. Your lawyer can help you regardless of how you were injured, as we handle many types of cases.
To learn more in a free consultation, reach out to George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers at (888) 612-7001.