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The Most Common Accident Injuries

Accidents can result in minor to fatal injuries. Many accident victims cannot return to work and continue their daily lives. In a car accident, negligent drivers may be held liable for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and lost wages.

Neck Injuries

Neck injuries can occur in any car accident, but they are especially common in rear-end crashes. People involved in these accidents are likely to suffer severe whiplash and neck strain injuries. In some cases, they may suffer more severe neck injuries, such as cervical disc damage or dislocation.

A whiplash injury occurs when the head and neck are abruptly jerked back and forth during a low-speed or high-speed car accident. When the neck is quickly pulled back and forth, the muscles and ligaments are stretched beyond a normal range of motion. This could cause unbearable pain.

Most neck injuries and whiplash are soft tissue injuries that are difficult to prove. An injury to the neck can restrict the movement of the head and neck, resulting in vision problems.

Scarring

Fires, chemical spills, and broken glass often cause scarring and disfigurement. It is common for victims to sustain burns and lacerations to the face and torso, which can leave long-lasting scars. In particular, facial scars can negatively affect self-esteem and confidence. Extensive scarring makes people uncomfortable at work and generally lowers their quality of life.

Scarring that harms the muscles or nerves may also affect the motor system. Several factors can cause scarring in a car accident, including cuts, burns, chemical spills, and nerve damage. Scars may require plastic surgery and burn doctors with specialized training to treat such injuries. It can become costly very quickly to treat severe scarring.

Broken Bones

Serious car accidents, such as multiple collisions or rollovers, frequently cause fractures and other injuries. Broken bones are hazardous because they can cause various internal injuries. People can have punctured lungs in addition to broken ribs. Medical professionals should also assess and treat related injuries to broken bones.

Broken bones can cause the following injuries:

• Spinal injuries
• Skull fractures
• Hip fractures
• Broken pelvis
• Busted ribs
• Tibia and fibula fractures
• Broken and fractured wrists

A broken bone requires extensive rehabilitation and takes a long time to heal. Car accident victims who have broken bones need immediate medical attention. The most severe broken bone injuries may require additional surgeries, metal plates, and screws to hold them together.

Amputations And Lost Limbs

Amputation injuries are less common than other motor vehicle accident injuries. The victim is left permanently disabled when these kinds of injuries occur. People with this disability frequently suffer permanent adverse effects in all aspects of their lives.

Amputations caused by car accidents are called “traumatic amputations” because they occur soon after the accident. Medical professionals may perform “surgical amputations” after car accidents when the victim’s fingers, toes, arms, and legs cannot be saved.

Losing one’s arms is the most common amputation injury following a car accident. A person who has lost a limb in a car accident must learn to live with prosthetics. Personal injury lawyers can help you and your family pursue the financial compensation available for your case.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Recent NFL developments have raised awareness of head injuries and concussions, but traumatic brain injuries also affect car accident victims.

During a car accident, drivers and passengers may hit their heads on the steering wheel, seats, windows, and airbags. Objects in the car that become unstable after an accident can also cause severe head injuries.

Unfortunately, a traumatic brain injury following a car accident may not manifest immediately. Signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury include:

• Difficulty thinking
• Difficulty retaining new information
• Feeling tired all the time
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Nausea
• Headaches or migraines.
• Emotional outbursts
• Mood swings

Those suffering from traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries should be vigilant. You should contact a medical professional if you experience any of these symptoms after a motor vehicle accident.

Back Injuries

Back injuries and the resulting pain can significantly impact various aspects of our lives, including work, school, sleep, and daily activities like driving. The lower back is often the most frequently injured area in accidents. Victims of car crashes commonly experience herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and sprains. After such injuries, physical therapy is typically necessary since our mobility is largely dependent on the health of our lower back.

Despite experiencing excruciating pain and limited mobility, injured parties attempt to resume their lives. Our attorneys can evaluate whether negligence contributed to the accident and advise on possible legal actions.

What To Do After A Traffic Accident

If you are involved in a car accident, following the law and beginning the insurance claim procedure soon after is essential. The following steps can help you make informed decisions after a car accident, whether you are at fault or not.

Check Yourself For Injuries

You should call 911 if you are injured or have someone else do it. If you are seriously injured, do not move and wait for help.

Check On The Well-Being Of Your Passengers

Check if other people in your car need assistance if you’re not too hurt to move. Contact emergency services, or ask a bystander to do so, if someone is injured.

Get To Safety

Consider moving to the side of the road or a sidewalk if possible. If your car is safe to drive but creates a hazard on the road, pull to the side. If not, leave it alone and find safety for yourself.

Call 911

Every accident needs to be reported to the police, no matter how minor or severe. In some states, this is even a legal requirement. The responding officer will fill out an accident report. If the police cannot arrive at the accident scene, you can file a report at the nearest police station. When you make a claim, your insurer might ask for a copy of the police report to expedite the process.

Wait For Help

You can use your emergency car kit’s road flares to warn other vehicles to slow down. Beware of bandit tow trucks as well. They are tow truck drivers who stop and offer help without being called. It might be a scam. Victims have been known to be persuaded to allow them to tow their vehicles to shady locations where the cars are held captive for an unreasonable payout.

Exchange Information

When you’re certain no one is hurt, including passengers, swap contact and insurance information with the other driver. According to Triple-I, drivers must share the following information after an accident:

• Full name and contact information.
• Insurance company and policy number.
• Driver’s license and license plate number.
• Type, color, and model of vehicle.
• Location of accident.

Our law firm recommends that you refrain from pointing fingers at the other driver when discussing the details. When you submit an insurance claim, the adjuster will examine the vehicles and property damaged, the information provided by you and other parties involved in the accident, and any supporting documents, such as a police report or photographs taken at the scene, to determine who was at fault.

Document The Accident

Thorough documentation can provide important details if questions arise after an accident. The following steps may help you protect yourself:

• Identify the Officers — Get all the responding officers’ badge numbers and names once the police arrive.
• Get a Copy of the Police Report — Ask the on-duty police officer where you can obtain a copy of the accident report. A copy of the report may be requested by your insurer when you file a car insurance claim.
• Take Pictures — Document the damage to both cars by taking multiple pictures of your car from various angles. Consider taking a picture of the other vehicle’s license plate as well. If you intend to support your claim with photos, you can send them to your insurer during the claims process.
• Take Down Names — Take note of the names and addresses of all people involved, including those in the other vehicle.
• Talk to Witnesses — Note the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident.

Keep this accident information page in your vehicle to help keep all of this documentation organized.

Notify Your Insurer And Start The Claims Process

It might be a good idea to report your claim using your insurer’s mobile app while you are on the scene if it has one. They can tell you precisely what they need to process your claim and what to expect. Your insurance company can arrange for the car to be towed directly to a licensed body shop if damaged.

Following an accident can cause a lot of anxiety, even for experienced drivers, but taking these precautions can help you deal with it. Once your vehicle has been repaired, your insurance company can help you coordinate a smooth and quick claim settlement.

Contact Our San Joaquin Injury Law Firm

We aim to provide comprehensive legal services and quality legal representation for injured victims. At Arash Law, our lawyers can offer insight and help you file a personal injury lawsuit in San Joaquin County.

Call us at (888) 488-1391 to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney in California. Our team handles cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, Lyft or Uber collisions, dog bites, professional malpractice, and more.