Common Car Accident Injuries

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car accidents are one of the main causes of personal injury for all age groups, accounting for approximately 2.6 million injuries each year. Injuries range from minor abrasions, scrapes, and bruises, and broken bones, to catastrophic personal injuries to the internal organs, brain, or spinal cord that can have life-changing effects.

Internal Organ and Soft Tissue Injuries

Injuries involving the internal organs are often caused by the impact of an auto accident, or by a broken rib that punctures an organ. Injuries can occur to the kidneys, liver, spleen, intestines, lungs, or heart, and may require extensive corrective surgery. In severe cases, certain internal injuries may lead to lifelong disability. Other injuries to the skin, such as cuts, scrapes, and abrasions, may require plastic surgery to correct.

Spinal Cord Injury

Auto accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal cord injury (SCI). The effects of spinal cord injuries vary based on the location and severity of the damage. In auto accidents, SCI is most often caused by excessive pressure, bruising, and lacerations involving the spinal cord. When severe, spinal cord injuries can radically change the life of the victim, causing some degree of paralysis or loss of muscle function in various areas of the body.

Victims of spinal cord injury face extensive challenges to restore their quality of life, and may require long term physical and occupational therapy, attendant care, pain medications, prosthetics, and more. Additionally, more than 30 percent of spinal cord injury patients require hospital admission every year for surgery, infections, respiratory complications, and other medical issues.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Car accidents are also one of the main causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI). During auto accidents, TBIs are caused either by a concussion when the victim’s head hits the inside of the vehicle, or from a serious whiplash injury that damages the brain tissues. Short and long term symptoms can include an altered state or loss of consciousness, memory loss, headaches, dizziness, vomiting, blurred vision, loss of smell, hearing, or taste sensations, speech problems, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and an increased sensitivity to light, noise, or movement. Even with years of rehabilitation and therapy, a person suffering from a traumatic brain injury may still require daily attendant care and life long medical treatments. The financial costs can be overwhelming for both the victims and their families.

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney near You

People who have been injured in an auto accident due someone else’s negligence are entitled to seek compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, and other expenses. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, an experienced auto accident attorney can help you obtain the compensation needed. You can visit LawyerShop.com to find an auto accident attorney in your city who can help you with your case.