Sprains, strains, bruising, and other damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments (soft tissue injuries) are very common in automobile accidents. These injuries can be painful and long-lasting, often requiring specific medical attention. Common injuries also include whiplash, concussions, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, cuts, internal injuries, and PTSD.
Written by Travis B. Terry
Published June 05, 2024
Auto accidents frequently result in injuries such as whiplash, concussions, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, cuts, lacerations, internal injuries, and PTSD, each requiring specific medical attention and potentially long-term care.
The aftermath of auto accidents often includes chronic pain, mobility issues, cognitive impairments, emotional distress, and financial strain, highlighting the necessity of comprehensive medical and psychological support.
Successfully obtaining compensation involves meticulous documentation of the accident and injuries, filing a claim with the insurance company, and often negotiating with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure fair compensation.
Insurance companies calculate compensation based on medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, severity of injuries, and liability, with initial offers typically being negotiable with legal assistance.
Auto accidents are unfortunately common occurrences, and they can have serious consequences. Apart from the physical and emotional trauma, victims of these accidents also have to navigate through the legal process to get the compensation they deserve. In such a confusing and overwhelming situation, it is important to have a reliable team by your side. That’s where the Auto Accident Team comes in.
Our network of attorneys are experienced in helping individuals who have suffered both physical and psychological injuries from their accident. They can help you understand your rights and guide you through the process.
When two or more vehicles collide, the force exerted can cause a variety of injuries, ranging from mild to catastrophic. Understanding the most common types of injuries can help you grasp the potential impacts of auto accidents.
This is a type of soft tissue injury that affects the neck, back, head, and shoulder areas. Normally, this injury is caused by a sudden, forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck. It's one of the most reported injuries following rear-end collisions. Symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can occur when the head makes a sharp movement or is hit directly. Symptoms might not appear immediately but can include headaches, dizziness, and memory problems.
Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, depending on the injury's location and severity. These back injuries can drastically alter a person’s lifestyle, typically requiring lifelong care and assistance.
The impact of a car crash can easily break bones, with the face, ribs, arms, legs, and hips being particularly vulnerable. The severity can range from simple fractures that require minimal treatment to complex breaks that need surgery.
Broken glass, metal, and even unsecured objects inside the car can cause cuts and lacerations during an accident. While some may be minor, others might require stitches and result in permanent scarring.
These injuries can be some of the most dangerous because they’re not always immediately apparent. Internal bleeding or damage to internal organs like the liver, spleen, or kidneys can occur from the force of the impact.
Not all injuries are physical; the mental and emotional trauma of an accident can lead to PTSD, impacting a person's well-being.
Each of these injuries carries its own challenges and may significantly impact the victim’s quality of life. Immediate and ongoing medical treatment is crucial for recovery, highlighting the importance of pursuing legal action to cover medical expenses and compensate for pain and suffering experienced by the accident victim.
Auto accidents can happen in the blink of an eye but leave behind long-lasting injuries that can affect every part of your life.
Objects within the car, like the steering wheel, airbag, dashboard, or windows, can come into direct contact with the head, leading to cuts, bruises, or fractures of the skull. Head and brain injuries are typically a consequence of the sudden and violent impact a collision can produce during a car crash. This abrupt movement can cause the head to be quickly thrown forward and then snapped back or to the side, leading to brain injuries such as concussions or more severe TBIs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the significant risk of TBI-related deaths in traffic crashes, particularly among younger individuals. The force exerted in an auto accident can cause the brain to move inside the skull, potentially damaging brain cells and leading to swelling or bleeding within the skull.
This type of brain injury trauma can have immediate or delayed health impacts. The force of a collision and the body’s response can make head injuries some of the most unpredictable and challenging for medical professionals to treat following an auto accident.
Yes, the force of a crash can jostle occupants in a vehicle so much that their internal organs may be damaged. During a collision, the body might stop suddenly or be thrown around with such force that the organs move inside and can hit the skeletal structure, leading to potential injuries. For example, a strong blow to the abdomen could harm the spleen, liver, or kidneys. Sometimes, seat belts, though critical for safety, can also contribute to internal injuries if the impact is severe enough, causing deep bruising or internal bleeding (hemorrhage).
The severity of internal bleeding is categorized into different classes based on the percentage of blood volume lost.
| Class of Hemorrhage | Blood Volume Loss | Common Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Class I | Up to 15% | Generally no symptoms |
| Class II | 15 to 30% | Feeling tired and nauseous, pale skin, cold hands and feet |
| Class III | 30 to 40% | Slow capillary refill (takes more than two seconds for color to return when pressing on skin), confusion |
| Class IV | Greater than 40% | No urine output, no detectable pulse in arms or legs, high risk of shock (which can lead to organ failure, coma, or death if untreated) |
When we think about auto accident injuries, our minds typically jump to the immediate aftermath – emergency room visits, surgeries, and the initial pain. However, the journey doesn’t end there for many survivors.
Long-term recovery can be even more challenging when pre-existing conditions are aggravated by the injuries sustained in an auto accident, potentially complicating treatment and increasing the need for ongoing care.
These long-term effects highlight the need for not only immediate medical attention but also long-term rehabilitation services, psychological support, and financial planning to navigate the aftermath of such life-changing events.
Recovering compensation for car accident injuries can feel like navigating through a complex maze. The process generally starts with thoroughly documenting the accident and injuries. Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, expenses, and any time missed from work. Evidence such as photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and witness statements can also strengthen your claim.
Next, you’ll need to file a claim with the insurance company. Insurance adjusters will review your claim, a process that includes evaluating medical records, expenses, and other damages you’ve incurred. Negotiations with insurance companies can be challenging, as they typically aim to minimize payouts. This is why it’s important to partner with an experienced personal injury attorney.
Auto accident attorneys offer free initial consultations, so there is no harm in listening to what they think the strengths and weaknesses are with your claim. Remember, they negotiate and battle insurance companies every day, that knowledge can only help add value to the claim you are bringing against the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
When determining the compensation for car accident injuries, insurance companies take into account several factors to come up with a fair settlement amount that covers the victim’s losses and damages.
If you or a loved one has been hurt in an auto accident, you are not alone. Reach out to the Auto Accident Team for the guidance and support you need during this challenging time. Our network of highly skilled attorneys are ready to help you understand your options and work tirelessly to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Don’t wait; get in touch with us today by calling (877) 236-2391 or filling out our online contact form. Let us help take the burden off your shoulders, so you can focus on healing.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance Report. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/tbi-surveillance-report-2018-2019-508.pdf
National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2019). Management of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542273/
Insurance Research Council. (2014). Attorney Involvement in Auto Injury Claims. Retrieved from https://insurance-research.org/sites/default/files/downloads/AttorneyNewsRelease.pdf
Meet Travis B. Terry
Travis B. Terry, a highly experienced personal injury attorney in Texas, has been practicing since 1993. With a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas, Austin, and a JD from South Texas College of Law, he brings over 30 years of expertise to his clients. Travis provides compassionate, skilled legal representation, emphasizing trust, empathy, and communication. Recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer since 2015, he is also a board-certified expert in Personal Injury Trial Law, a distinction held by only 7% of Texas attorneys. Travis is dedicated to fighting for justice, ensuring his clients receive the care and compensation they deserve.
56 Sugar Creek Center Blvd Ste 300
Sugar Land, TX 77478.
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