According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 30,000 people lose their lives and close to two million people are injured each year in car accidents across the United States. These unexpected and catastrophic accidents often leave victims with lifelong pain and permanent disability. Compensation from a personal injury lawsuit can help victims focus on their physical recovery without the burden that the financial impact can cause.
Types of Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
There are a variety of serious and life-threatening injuries that can happen from a car accident. Many factors, such as speed, seatbelt usage, and vehicle construction affect the severity of injuries sustained. The following list highlights the most common injuries that result from a car accident.
Head and Neck Injuries
Head and neck injuries are two of the most serious and often life-threatening injuries that can happen in a car wreck. A traumatic brain injury (TBI), fractured skull, severe lacerations, and decapitation are the most serious head and neck injuries, often resulting in lifelong disability and cognitive impairment or death. Even a minor concussion or whiplash can result in a long recovery period that can prevent a victim from working or attending school.
Back Injuries
The impact sustained in a car accident typically causes victims to be thrust forward, backward, or sideward, and sometimes even requires in extrication from the vehicle. The back and spine area are prone to injuries that can result in permanent pain and disability. Herniated discs, fractured vertebrate, and nerve damage can limit mobility and cause lifelong pain. When the spinal column is affected, victims can suffer paralysis that can affect the upper and lower extremities and in severe cases, may lead to the need for mechanical respiration throughout the victim’s life.
Chest Injuries
Car accident victims can suffer chest injuries when they are thrust forward into the steering wheel or dashboard, or when their seatbelt is forced into their chest area during impact. Broken ribs, severe bruising, and in some cases, internal organ damage can occur from the force of the collision. Though seatbelts are pivotal in saving lives in car accidents, they can sometimes cause significant injury to the chest area.
Injuries to the Arms and Legs
Broken bones are very common injuries resulting from car accidents. Most of these injuries happen to the arms and the legs when the steel car frame comes crashing in during impact, or when limbs are stuck under the dashboard or seats. Front end collisions typically involve leg and arm injuries, but broken bones in all areas of the body can happen from the force of the sudden impact to the body. Surgery and long recovery periods are often required to repair broken bones.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are those that happen to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles when they are stretched beyond their limits during a car accident. These types of injuries sometimes require the longest recuperations as the areas need to be immobilized to heal. Surgery and physical therapy are often required with these types of wounds.
Towson Personal Injury Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC Counsel and Represent Car Accident Victims
If you have been injured in a car accident, call the Towson personal injury lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC at 443-589-0150 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today. Our Hunt Valley and Towson, Maryland offices serve clients in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Bel Air, Columbia, Westminster, Essex, Monkton, Sparks, Parkton, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County.