Did you know that car crash injuries cost the world an estimated $1.8 trillion? If you’ve been injured in a car accident recently, you’re likely suffering from expensive medical bills.
But how do you know if your injury is serious enough to press charges? If you want to know the answer to this question, you’re in the perfect place. In this guide, we’ll be discussing six common car crash injuries that people like you often experience.
We’ll also touch on when you should get in touch with an accident lawyer. That way, you get the compensation you deserve for any damages done to you. Let’s get started!
- Whiplash
Whiplash is by far one of the most common injuries you’re likely to encounter. It occurs when the head is jerked forward and backward quickly, as occurs with most car accidents.
This can cause the various muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and discs in the neck to become damaged. The good news is that most of the time, whiplash is minor.
However, in some cases, they can be serious and lead to long-term damage with symptoms like severe headaches, chronic neck pain, and pain that radiates down the shoulders.
- Broken and Fractured Bones
It’s common for parts of the car to become crushed during an accident. In some cases, this can cause arms, legs, and other bones to become pinned and broken.
The severity of the broken bone will depend on where it occurred and how severe the break is.
However, even if the break is minor, if it doesn’t heal correctly, it can cause lasting health problems. This includes things like chronic pain, mobility problems, and nerve damage.
- Burns
In some cases, a vehicle may burst into flames which can cause severe burns. However, it’s more common for burns to occur when the body comes into contact with hot engine parts.
Burns can vary in their severity. The least severe option is first-degree burns which cause red, painful skin without any blister.
The most severe option is life-threatening fourth-degree burns. These burns penetrate all the way to the bone, and function will never return to the damaged area.
- Head and Brain Injuries
Like most of the injuries on this list, head and brain injuries can range in severity. Most of the time, these injuries result in minor concussions that can heal on their own over time.
Other times they can result in traumatic brain injuries, which can impact your day-to-day functions.
It’s always a good idea to get an MRI following a serious car accident. Even concussions can be serious and often undetected unless observed through an MRI.
- Back and Spinal Cord Injuries
Minor back and spinal cord injuries can include things like sprains and slipped discs. While these injuries are annoying, they can usually heal over time.
However, if the accident is serious enough, then it can completely sever the spinal cord. This can result in complete paralysis.
If your car accident has affected your mobility or quality of life to any degree, then you should reach out to a professional to get the compensation you deserve.
- Psychological Injuries
It’s important to remember that physical injuries aren’t the only thing you can suffer from a car accident. Many people also experience lasting psychological problems like PTSD.
If you’ve been in a traumatic accident, PTSD can cause you to suffer visions and flashbacks of the event. It can also cause depression, insomnia, and nightmares. If it’s impacting the things you do, then it’s worth considering treatment.
When Should You Contact An Accident Lawyer?
In our opinion, you should call an car crash attorney if you were injured in your car accident. This is true even if you think your injuries are minor. You never know how minor injuries can progress down the line.
As such, it helps to get a professional opinion just in case. But injuries aside, what are some other reasons you should contact an accident lawyer? We recommend calling an accident lawyer if you’ve experienced any of the following:
- Someone died in the accident
- You have to prove negligence
- You’re finding it difficult to communicate with the insurance company
- You’re unsure if you’re being given a good offer
- There are multiple parties involved in the accident
- There’s a government entity involved in the accident
- You’re thinking about going to trial
- You don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to your case
- You want the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to
Still not sure if you should contact an accident lawyer? This legal help article goes over all of the benefits from hiring accident lawyers.
What to Look for In a Car Accident Lawyer
Hopefully, by now, you know whether or not you want to contact a car accident lawyer. Sadly, not all car accident lawyers are created equally.
The reality is that there are a lot of shady characters out there that just want to profit off of you. So how do you avoid them? First, check the reviews before you contact the lawyer.
This will give you a better idea of what the average client’s experience has been like. Next, schedule a consultation.
Make sure you prepare a list of questions about your specific accident and what they can do for your case. A good car accident lawyer will be patient with you and take the time to answer all your questions fully.
Appreciate Learning About Common Car Crash Injuries? Keep Exploring
We hope this guide helped you learn more about the six most common car crash injuries. It’s important to remember to visit a doctor after a car crash, even if you feel fine.
Remember that some injuries, like whiplash and concussions, can worsen over time. The sooner you can document any potential injuries, the quicker you can get the care and compensation that you deserve.
Want more content on this type of legal topic? Our website has plenty more to choose from, so keep exploring to find them all.
