In the year 2012, there were over 5.6 million automobile accidents reported in the U.S. and that doesn’t take into account those that were not reported. There were also, that year, over 30,000 fatalities and 1.6 million various injuries suffered. Car accidents that result in injury or death are epidemic in our country, and the damage they cause is vast, costing Americans approximately $277 billion annually.
There are some types of accidents that arise from these incidents that are more common than others. It may be that understanding these accidents can serve a purpose in reducing accidents and injury in the future. Discover the most common types of car accident injuries, how the nature of the injury affects your case, and how a car accident attorney can help you.
Spinal and Head Injuries
The most severe car accidents involve head injuries and damage to the spine. Especially when the collision is high-speed, drivers can find their head and back whipping forward, their head striking windows, the steering wheel or dashboard and their back twisting in ways it was not meant to twist.
This can result in everything from traumatic brain injuries or nerve damage that results in paralysis, emotional trauma, cognitive and emotional control problems, skull fractures, loss of senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, even taste), weakness and even death. Recovering from such injuries can take years, decades, and some people never recover at all.
Chest and Neck Damage
While technically a spinal injury, whiplash is a common effect of car accidents that specifically affects the neck which can cause damage to the muscles and ligaments, and other symptoms which can wildly vary from person to person, involving everything from minor pain and aches to losing their sense of smell and taste to complete vocal cord paralysis.
Blunt force trauma to the chest, from seatbelts, from striking the steering wheel, or a range of other impacts can result in heart attacks, internal bleeding, broken ribs, collapsed lungs, even internal organ damage or injuries to the abdomen and pelvis can result.
Other Common Results
Many people involved even in minor accidents suffer harm to their extremities, which can lead to loss of ability to walk from broken bones or ligament damage. Amputation of limbs is not unheard of in car crashes.
These are just the physical injuries. Many people fail to account for the emotional damage suffered from pain, frustration, fear, and the mental trauma related to the accidents. This can be every bit as crippling as any physical injury, requiring years of treatment and therapy to overcome.
What Can I Do?
If you’re involved in an incident where you’ve suffered car accident injuries, your best bet is to call on the services of a qualified car accident lawyer. The right attorney will be able to help you prove that the other driver was negligent and that you deserve full compensation for the damages you’ve suffered.
Stewart Bell, PLLC has been representing clients who were hurt in car injuries for many years, and we have a track record of success. Contact us for more information and a free consultation and evaluation of your case today!
