Car accidents can be violent, jarring experiences. The forces placed on the human body during a collision can cause severe injuries and even death. While cars benefit from a considerable number of safety features meant to prevent or lessen trauma, each year, millions of Americans sustain physical injuries as a result of car wrecks. If you have been involved in a car accident and have suffered injuries, then you may be able to receive compensation by taking legal action.
Physical Injuries
There are several types of physical injuries that are commonly associated with car accidents. Many physical injuries caused by car accidents are immediately apparent, but in some cases, you may not be aware of a physical injury until hours or days after the crash. Here are some of the more common physical injuries caused by a car accident.
Whiplash – Commonly caused by rear-end accidents, whiplash is a neck injury that is usually the result of a forceful, sudden back-and-forth motion, similar to the cracking of a whip. Whiplash may also be referred to as a neck strain. This injury is usually treated through rest and immobilization of the neck with a neck brace. In many cases, whiplash is resolved in a few weeks, but some people can have chronic neck pain and other long-lasting complications. Generally, the more violent the collision, the more severe a victim’s neck strain will be.
Broken Bones and Fractures – The majority of car accidents occur when a driver and their passengers are seated upright in a vehicle. Because of this positioning, if a forceful impact occurs, the vehicle’s occupants may be suddenly and violently re-positioned and, in some cases, expelled from the vehicle or crushed. Upon impact, bones can be broken or fractured.
A broken bone can be extremely painful and will typically require surgery to fix. In many cases, broken bones do not ever fully heal and leave a victim with lifelong complications. Depending on the bone that is broken, you may end up unable to perform tasks and functions you enjoyed pre-accident.
Burns – Vehicles that are involved in a car collision may catch on fire as a result of the impact. Gasoline can leak out of the tank and become ignited by a spark or from the heat coming off of the engine. If you are trapped inside the vehicle after a crash, you may suffer burns if the vehicle ignites or if you are exposed to toxic chemicals.
The degree of a burn can range from first-degree (least serious) to third-degree (most serious). While all burns are painful, third-degree burns may require skin grafts, which will involve surgery. All burns are susceptible to infection and may result in scarring or discoloration. Serious burns have the potential to be fatal.
Disfigurement – There are some injuries caused by a car accident that are so severe that they permanently render a part of the body unable to be repaired. Car collisions can cause parts of your body to be crushed or torn apart irreparably. When this happens, the result is known as disfigurement. An example of disfigurement would be the loss of a limb. Another common form of disfigurement is the loss of an eye or some other appendage.
Spinal Injuries – Car accidents can cause damage to the lumbar area, which often results in chronic back pain. In severe cases, spinal injuries can also cause paralysis. Spinal injuries can be lifelong and require ongoing medical treatment. Car accidents may also inflame prior spinal injuries.
Cuts And Soft Tissue Injuries – Shattered glass and vehicle restraints may cause injuries during an accident. In addition, the force of a crash can cause victims to be thrown against a door or window, resulting in bruising and lacerations. While cuts and soft tissue injuries may be considered minor, they can be painful and require medical treatment to fully heal.
Brain Injuries – Car accidents commonly cause brain injuries when victims sustain a severe blow to the head. Occupants of the car often collide with windshields, producing significant head trauma. Brain injuries are often permanent and can result in loss of function, memory loss, and cognitive disorders. Surgery may be an option for treatment, but these injuries are often serious and may require prolonged medical treatment.
Emotional and Psychological Injuries
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – Also known as PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder can be caused by the terror and trauma experienced during and/or in the wake of a crash. The experience of living through a horrific accident with significant injuries can make you fearful of getting behind the wheel again. PTSD can be debilitating and is usually treated through therapeutic counseling and, in some cases, medication.
Pain And Suffering – Car accidents that cause significant injuries often also cause pain and suffering. Physical pain and emotional injuries may not only present in the immediate aftermath of an accident but can also be experienced over an extended period of time.
Loss Of Enjoyment – If the injuries caused by a car accident now prevent you from participating in activities you used to enjoy, then you may be compensated via loss of enjoyment damages.
Contact a West Virginia Car Accident Lawyer
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligent or otherwise wrongful actions or inactions, you deserve compensation from that at-fault party. The law says that you have a right to pursue a Charleston personal injury case if you have suffered physical harm and financial losses as a result of a car accident.
At Salango Law, our Charleston car accident lawyers have the experience, knowledge, and drive to better ensure that you receive every dollar to which you are entitled. Don’t suffer in silence. To schedule a free consultation, reach out to us today by calling (304) 342-0512 or by contacting us online. We look forward to hearing from you.