Common Car Accident Injuries
Are you suffering from an injury after an accident?
When you are involved in a car accident, there is a good chance you will suffer injury. Some of these injuries are minor, while others are serious or catastrophic in nature. Read our recovery tips here.
Below, we discuss some of the most common car accident injuries that we help clients file claims for, and provide a general overview of options victims may have for recovering damages. For a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Louisiana, call Lee Hoffoss Injury Lawyers today at 337-433-2053.
What are some common types of car accident injuries?
Many car accident victims sustain minor and moderate injuries, such as cuts, scrapes, and bruises, but sometimes, the nature and extent of the injuries are more severe. Some of the most common types of injuries we have come across in car accident cases include the following:
- Soft Tissue Injuries: When ligaments, muscles, or tendons are stretched or torn during a car accident, victims may experience significant pain and limited mobility. Soft tissue injuries often require physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength and function.
- Internal Bleeding: Car accidents can cause trauma to internal organs, leading to internal bleeding. This type of injury can be life-threatening if not immediately diagnosed and treated.
- Broken Bones: Car accidents can subject the body to significant forces, leading to fractures in various areas, including arms, legs, hips, and shoulders. These fractures occur when the bones cannot withstand the impact.
- Fractured Ribs: The ribs, being relatively fragile, can fracture even from less forceful impacts. Car crash victims may experience fractured ribs due to the pressure exerted by seat belts or airbags. These injuries can cause significant pain and discomfort.
- Knee Injuries: The force generated in car accidents can cause a person’s knees to impact the dashboard, resulting in substantial pain and injury. Treatment for knee trauma can be complex and may involve the use of braces, crutches, or surgery.
- Neck and Back Injuries: The immense forces involved in car accidents commonly lead to neck and back injuries. These injuries encompass a range of conditions, including herniated discs, spinal cord damage, sprains, strains, and whiplash. They often require medical attention and rehabilitation.
- Herniated Discs: Similar to how bones can break in an accident, the force of a collision can cause one or more discs between the vertebrae in the spine to rupture or shift out of place. This condition, known as a herniated disc, can result in chronic back pain and may require surgical intervention.
- Head Injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can have long-lasting or even lifelong consequences if not promptly treated. TBIs can lead to complications such as cognitive impairment, memory problems, and behavioral changes. In severe cases, they can be fatal.
- Burn Injuries: Car accident-related burns can vary in severity depending on the nature of the accident. They may range from minor burns caused by contact with hot surfaces to more severe burns resulting from fires or chemical exposure. Treating serious burns often involves multiple skin grafts and extensive medical care.
- Scrapes and Lacerations: Car accidents can cause cuts and scrapes due to the impact force or flying debris within the vehicle. These injuries are not only painful but also carry a risk of infection if not properly treated.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Not all car accident injuries are physical; some individuals may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after experiencing a traumatic accident. PTSD can result in persistent psychological distress, including flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety.
How might serious car accident injuries impact me?
When you sustain a serious car accident injury, there is essentially no aspect of your life that will not feel its effects in some way; it is not just physical. There are emotional, psychological, social, and financial issues you may need to work through, as well.
Many people who sustain a sudden, serious injury develop post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, poor body image, and anxiety disorders as a result of their injuries — particularly in catastrophic and disfiguring cases. This, in turn, can impact your marriage and other family and social relationships, not to mention your career.
The financial ramifications of a car accident can be considerable, too. Medical care can be exorbitant even when you have insurance, and you might be temporarily or permanently disabled, which means less income when you need it most.
Depending on the extent of the injuries and your long-term prognosis, you may need to change careers if you cannot return to your old job, modify your home to accommodate your disability, and/or relocate to an area with better access to quality or specialized medical care. In other words, serious car accident injuries can completely alter the direction of your life.
How do I pay for medical and other expenses resulting from my injuries?
Medical expenses and lost wages can easily break the bank after a car accident. Fortunately, there may be various avenues of pursuing compensation, depending upon the specifics of your case.
Negligence claim: The first and most promising recourse to consider is filing a claim with the appropriate car accident insurance company. Louisiana is a “fault state,” which means the person who causes a car accident is responsible for any injuries that occur.
All drivers in Louisiana must carry at least $15,000 per person/$30,000 accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 in property damage liability — so you should be able to recover at least up to that amount.
If the insurer refuses to give you the compensation you deserve, we can take it to court.
Your own insurance: Of course, to win your case, you must be able to prove that the other driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the accident, e.g., that s/he was driving under the influence or speeding.
If the driver’s insurance is not enough to cover your losses, if s/he does not carry insurance, or if s/he fled the scene, then you will need to rely on your own insurance to cover your losses, such as your personal injury protection (PIP), collision coverage, UM/UIM coverage, disability, or health insurance.
What can I recover for my car accident?
You may be able to obtain a wide range of damages for serious car accident injuries by filing a negligence claim against the at-fault party. Some of the losses you can recover include:
- Medical, pharmacy, and rehabilitation bills
- Loss of wages and loss of benefits
- Mental health care, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and alternative treatments
- Disability and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering, i.e., emotional harms
Speak to a car accident injury attorney for FREE today.
Lee Hoffoss Injury Lawyers has the knowledge, energy, and resources necessary to help you fight for maximum compensation for your car accident injuries. We encourage you to give us a call for a free case evaluation to determine how best to move forward to obtain the financial relief you need and deserve. Contact us today by calling 337-433-2053.