Injuries sustained from car accidents differ depending on the intensity of the accident. While a car accident may cause only a bruise, it can result in a life-threatening damage to essential body organs such as the heart, brain, and spinal cord. This article explores 5 injuries that commonly hit those involved in car accidents. They include injuries to the brain and head, injuries to the back and neck, injuries to the spinal cord, injuries to the face and psychological torture.
Injuries to the Brain and Head
Also called traumatic brain injuries, this type of injuries result from a hit to the head during the accident. The injuries may be in form of bruises, bleeding, inflammation, concussions and a broken skull. These injuries can be addressed through various treatments depending on how serious they are. If you suffer a minor concussion, for instance, your caregiver may recommend using pain relievers or taking a rest. However, when the injury is severe, the caregiver may recommend anticoagulants and anti-seizure drugs to help in preventing the occurrence of blood clots and brain seizures respectively. In extreme cases, surgical procedures to relieve brain inflammation and bleeding may be necessary.
Injuries to the Back and Neck
In most cases, these injuries occur when a car collides with another vehicle. The neck and the back get injured because they cannot absorb vigorous vibrations resulting from the collision. These injuries may range from mild to severe, depending on how intense the accident is. Strains, disc herniation, and vertebral column fractures are some of the injuries that can be sustained in the back and neck. Depending on the seriousness of the injury, these injuries can be treated with medications such as painkillers and muscle relaxers, or a surgical procedure to correct the damaged parts.
If you sustain a back or neck injury from a car accident, you may be disabled permanently. This renders you unable to engage in your normal daily work. Because of this, it is advisable for your personal injury attorney to consider damages due to the disability when determining your compensation.
Injuries to the Spinal Cord
These injuries constitute one of the most serious categories of car accident injuries because an injured spinal cord may lead to serious consequences such as paralysis and sensation loss. When you get involved in a car accident, the body parts such as bones and ligaments may move from their normal position towards the spinal cord, causing bruising to the cord. This results in the spinal cord injury. The injury causes damage to the nerves responsible for carrying signals between your body and brain.
Typically, the treatment of spinal cord injuries involves methods such surgical operations and use of assistive devices; hence treating these injuries may be very costly. According to a study published in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine in 2007, the cost of treating the spinal cord as of the same year was between $218,504 to $741,425.
Injuries to the Face
A car accident may result in facial injuries such as scrapes, bruises, fractures and cuts. The injuries range from mild to severe. They occur when car objects such as the dashboard, steering wheel, and windows hit the face. Treatments for facial injuries range from basic first aid to surgery. Your doctor may recommend a suitable treatment for you based on the severity of your facial injury. In some cases, the facial injury may involve dental damage, which may be treated through dental reconstruction. Mouth guards may also be necessary in such a case.
Psychological Torture
Besides causing physical injuries, a car accident may cause trauma to your mind. Emotional distress, depression, and anxiety are a few forms of psychological injuries that may result from car accidents. More severe car accidents may cause post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. To address psychological injuries, your doctor may recommend medications accompanied with therapy. The cost of these treatments varies with the therapist you choose and your preferred medication.
In summary, because the treatment of car accident lawyer may need a lot of money, it is advisable for you to launch a lawsuit in the court of law for compensation if you get injured. Prior to filing the case, it is advisable to receive treatment first, gather evidence to support your case and estimate the amount you should demand as compensation for the injury. To avoid possible legal mistakes, be sure to file the lawsuit with the help of a personal injury lawyer.
