Psychological Injuries And Impacts
Unique to each victims experience, the psychological impacts associated with car accidents can last for years or possibly a lifetime. In general, the mental damage caused by car accidents tends to be more severe when survivors are left with permanent physical injuries, which may affect their career, their quality of life, and/or their ability to live independently.
Back Or Neck Injuries
Back or neck injuries can be caused by the impact of force against the spine during a vehicle crash. Mid-back and low-back strains, as well as neck injuries, are common after an accident. Two types of back and neck injuriesspinal cord injuries and whiplashcan especially lead to serious complications.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Mild spinal cord damage can result in a herniated disc, which occurs when the spinal vertebrae shift out of place or rupture. Severe spinal cord injuries can result in body paralysis.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc is created when at least one of the vertebrae in your spine breaks into pieces or moves out of place. This can be incredibly painful.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a popular name for soft tissue injuries to the neck caused by sudden movements during car accidents, especially in a rear collision. The pain associated with whiplash may not appear immediately after the crash, but when it sets in, it can be debilitating. Recovery from whiplash may involve physical therapy, a neck brace, ice, and/or medication.
You Could Work With A Car Accident Attorney In Virginia To Secure Compensation
If you suffer from one or more of the common injuries from a car accident in Virginia, you could recover compensation for your losses. A car accident lawyer from our firm can handle your claim. They can also represent you in a trial. This way, you wont have to stumble through your case alone.
Your attorney can help you understand the full scope of your recoverable expenses for the injuries you suffered. Jim Parrish has experience representing insurance companies. He now uses this experience to serve accident victims. Call the Parrish Law Firm, PLLC at for a free consultation.
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What To Do If Youre Injured In A Car Accident In New York
Car accidents cause severe damage to people every day.
Statistics show that you are at risk of car crash injuries as a bicyclist or pedestrian in New York, even without a car.
After a car accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be incredibly stressful. You may have questions about your legal rights and options, and you may not know where to turn for help.
If youâve been hurt in a crash, a dedicated car accident attorney at Raphaelson & Levine Law Firm can help you determine if you may be entitled to compensation and advise you on the next steps to file a lawsuit.
Our team has more than 30 years of experience helping people like you get the compensation they deserve after an auto accident. We offer free, no-risk case evaluations so you can understand your next steps without any obligation.
If you were injured in a car crash, donât settle with the insurance company for less than you deserve.
contact us online for a free consultation with an injury attorney today.
Timing Of Common Car Accident Injuries
Most car accident injuries are apparent right away, especially if they are serious. But late-appearing car crash injuries do happen. Your best course of action is to get medical treatment after a car accident at the first sign of pain or discomfort. Obviously your health is paramount, but getting medical care will go a long way toward getting an insurance adjuster to take your car accident claim seriously.
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Chest And Abdominal Injuries
With the position of the seatbelts across the chest and the drivers proximity to the steering wheel, car occupants are in danger of crush injuries in a high-speed collision. Chest contusions are common in these types of accidents. Unfortunately, higher speeds or collisions with larger vehicles can lead to broken ribs and damage to the internal organs.
Vehicle Collisions That Can Cause Life
Any car crash can be deadly, especially if it involves a vehicle or vehicles that are traveling at high speeds. However, certain collisions tend to be more likely to end with a fatality. These include:
- Head-on collisions: When two cars traveling in opposite directions run directly into each other, the force of the impact is multiplied. Head-on crashes are often caused by distracted drivers that drift over the centerline, and they can be fatal even at moderate speeds.
- Rollover accidents: When drivers overcorrect or attempt to swerve around another vehicle or object, they run the risk of losing control and rolling their vehicle over. This is because occupants are subject to rapidly shifting forces coming from multiple directions, and there is also a danger that the cars roof could collapse and cause head and spine injuries.
- Accidents involving a pedestrian: When in another vehicle, a victim has a better chance of walking away from an accident. However, when struck by a car, a pedestrian is at risk for substantial, life-threatening internal injuries or other trauma.
- T-bone: When a driver ignores traffic lights or stop signs, they may run at a perpendicular angle into the side of another vehicle. Also known as a T-bone accident, this type of collision is especially hazardous for the driver or passengers sitting on the impacted side of the car.
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Common Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries
Whether its a clear, sunny day or a blustery, bone-chilling night, a motor vehicle accident can happen in an instant and change your life. The odds are that you or someone close to you will be involved in a serious MVA at some point in your life. Understanding the common injuries that can occur, the treatment options available, and the best place to get help will set you on a path to faster recovery.
This overview of the top 10 most common motor vehicle accident injuries is meant as an informational guide ONLY. Every situation in unique and specific diagnosis and treatment methods should be obtained from a health care professional.
Dont Wait To Seek Medical Attention
Even if you dont think youve been injured at all or if your injuries seem like minor ones that will heal on their own, its important that you seek medical examination and treatment as soon as possible after your accident. Some injuries are not immediately apparent. You might not start to feel any pain or discomfort until days after the accident, or you might suffer only minor pain that is actually a symptom of something more serious. Internal injuries and traumatic brain injuries often have delayed onset symptoms.
If you wait to seek medical care that will document your injuries, the defendants insurance company might dispute your claim. A medical exam and/or X-rays immediately after the accident can help to prove your injuries actually resulted from the crash and were not sustained later or aggravated by your delay in seeking medical care. Timely medical documentation is crucial when the time comes to seek fair compensation for your damages.
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Common Brain Head And Face Injury Questions
Can I have internal bleeding in my brain due to an accident if there is no visible damage?
Even if you have no cuts or bruises on your head, your brain may have moved inside your skull from the impact and caused bruising, bleeding and swelling of the brain. These conditions can lead to serious brain damage and must be treated immediately.
If I dislocate my jaw, will I need to have it wired shut to heal?
In most cases, a dislocated jaw can be manipulated back into the correct position with the use of a local anesthetic and muscle relaxants. Surgery may be required in some severe cases. Usually wiring is needed to immobilize a fractured jaw but may also be required during the healing process after re-alignment to keep you from opening your mouth too wide.
Common Spinal Cord Injury Questions
What type of treatment is best after an accident to reduce spinal cord injuries?
First responders, after assessing the situation, will often immobilize the spine with a stiff neck collar and transport the patient on a back board. During this process there is constant monitoring of blood pressure, clear airway and other vital signs to minimize shock and prevent further damage.
Can paralysis from a spinal cord injury be reversed?
There have been a number of rehabilitation and experimental technologies used to reduce or reverse the effects of spiral cord injuries. The outcomes vary greatly from patient to patient as there are many different factors that can have an impact on any treatment approach. High doses of steroids administered within eight hours of injury have been noted to result in some improvement in some cases. The use of traction to stabilize or realign the spine or surgery to remove bone fragments or herniated discs have also shown promising results in certain cases. While new technologies such as epidural spine stimulation have helped some patients regain some movement. What is consistent, is that rehabilitation begins as early as possible to maintain any existing muscle function.
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How Can An Injury Lawyer Help Me After A Car Accident
If youve suffered injuries in a car accident, the best way to get the compensation you need to make a full recovery is by working with a skilled lawyer on your personal injury claim.
They can help you document your injuries and seek the financial recovery that can help you get the treatment that you need. Being in a car accident is never easy. Your lawyer can help you evaluate your case and take the necessary steps to respond in the best way possible after an accident.
A Doctor Can Link Your Injuries To The Accident
When pursuing compensation for car accident injuries, you have to prove the other drivers negligence led to your losses.
Medical documentation can provide the link between the accident and your injuries, preventing an insurer from claiming you had a pre-existing condition. This evidence can prevent them from undervaluing or denying your claim.
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Types Of Car Accidents And Car Accident Claims
If youve been in a car accident, you may wonder how to file a claim. First, youll need to contact your car insurance company and tell them what happened. Be sure to have all the pertinent information on hand, including witnesses names and contact information.
Your insurance company will then send an adjuster to assess the damage and determine how much your claim is worth. Once youve settled with your insurance company, youll need to pay for any repairs out of pocket.
If your car is totalled, youll receive a check for the value of your vehicle minus any deductible. Filing a car accident claim can be stressful, but understanding the basics will help make it go as smoothly as possible.
Back Injuries From Car Accident Treatment
No matter how minor the car accident, always seek medical treatment. Be aware that injuries dont show up immediately. Even if an x-ray comes back normal, this imaging cannot see the soft tissue in your back. You may need an MRI or CT scan to diagnose issues with discs.
Minor injuries are most often treated with over-the-counter pain relief medications and anti-inflammatories. You may also be prescribed a muscle relaxer to use in the short term. Your doctor will advise you to rest and apply heat or ice as needed.
Your doctor may also refer you to a physical therapist who can prescribe a series of stretches and exercises to help you regain strength after the accident.
In the case of more severe injuries caused by car crash where surgery is required, you may spend time in the hospital. You should always follow the doctors orders after discharge. After a certain period, you may also use physical therapy in your rehabilitation efforts.
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Recovering Compensation For Your Losses
If your car crash injuries were work-related, you may be entitled to workers compensation damages. If so, youll want to act quickly because the workers compensation claims process is among the most time-sensitive processes in the U.S. legal system. Workers comp is a no-fault system, so you may be entitled to compensation even if your crash was your fault.
If your accident was either not your fault or partially your fault, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your lawsuit is successful, you may receive a damages award for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are relatively easy to quantify and include medical expenses, lost wages, and lost earning capacity in the event of disability caused by the crash. Non-economic damages may include awards for pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment.
Dont make assumptions about the strength or weakness of your case until youve had your circumstances professionally evaluated. You may be entitled to more compensation than youd think.
Head And Back Injuries
Head injuries are among the most serious car accident injuries. Seated drivers and passengers involved in high-speed collisions can strike their heads against steering wheels, dashboards, or windows. These impacts can cause traumatic brain injuries, ranging from mild concussions to comas and lasting cognitive problems. Often extensive medical treatment and long-term medical care are required after such injuries. Head injuries can also lead to skull fractures, hearing loss, and vision problems.
Back injuries are also common. Any damage to the spinal cord can cause significant nerve damage. Patients may experience reduced sensation in and control over their arms, hands, legs, feet, and other body parts, while more serious forms of spinal damage can leave patients permanently paralyzed.
Another common car accident injury is a herniated disk. This tends to be less severe than spinal damage or head injuries, but can still cause significant problems. Patients often experience numb or tingling sensations, muscle weakness, and arm or leg pain.
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Neck And Chest Injuries
Probably the most well known car accident injury is whiplash. Sudden movement of the head and neck can cause serious neck muscle and ligament damage. Whiplash injuries can differ from person to person, depending on the accident and the health of the person involved in it. Generalized neck pain and swelling is also fairly common. It is also not unheard of for patients to suffer temporary vocal cord paralysis after a car accident.
Many serious injuries are related to trauma affecting the chest area. Blunt force trauma from car accidents can cause broken ribs and collapsed lungs. People with heart problems can go into traumatic cardiac arrest from an accident. Internal bleeding in the chest area can be an immediate problem following an accident. Damage to internal organs, the pelvis, and the abdomen can also occur. These kinds of injuries require immediate medical attention.
Injuries In An Average Speed Crash
Because of all the activity happening at once, the body remains vulnerable to car accident injuries in these crashes at lower speeds. While these are some of the most common injuries sustained in these circumstances, they are not the only possibilities. Injuries depend on a number of factors beyond speed, like where the car is hit, if proper seatbelts are being used, and where in the car you are sitting at the time.
Whiplash: When the body jerks forward due to inertia, the soft tissues in the neck and shoulders often extend beyond their natural capacity, leading to strains and tears known as whiplash. This commonly occurs in rear-end collisions and other accidents where one car is stopped, making it more likely to involve lower speeds than an accident on a highway. Whiplash can lead to a lot of stiffness and pain in the neck that can take weeks or months to be resolved.
Concussions: When internal collisions begin, one of the most vulnerable organs is the brain, which can often crash into the skull, leading to a mild traumatic brain injury known as a concussion. While concussions usually heal with time and rest, any head injury is dangerous and should be thoroughly evaluated to ensure there is no severe damage.
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Get Legal Advice From The Best Car Accident Lawyer In Perth
Beyond the physical injuries, emotional trauma can also have a real and negative effect after an accident. If you have had an accident and are worried, confused, or unsure of how to get the help and support you need, we are here to guide you through the accident claims process and explain your options. Your initial consultation is free, so call for advice. Were here to help.
How Soon After Sustaining A Car Accident Injury Should I See A Doctor
You should seek medical care as soon after an accident as you can, even if you dont think you have any injuries. If your car has any sort of damage, your body likely does too. It may be something as small as a spinal misalignment or a strained muscle, but getting on top of these car accident injuries will help you get back to normal as quickly as possible. If you arent taken to the hospital after an accident, you should schedule an appointment with a doctor who specializes in car accident injuries within a few days of your accident, even if youre not experiencing any pain or discomfort.
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Soft Tissue Injury: Sprains And Strains
Soft tissue damage refers to stretches and tears in your muscles, ligaments, and tendons. A sprain is a tear in a muscle or ligament, and a strain is a tear in a tendon. Soft tissue injuries can occur anywhere in the body but most commonly occur in the neck, shoulder, thigh, or groin and may cause pain, swelling, and muscle spasms at the injury site.