Types of Injuries From Accidents

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 2.3 million people need emergency medical treatment for injuries from motor vehicle accidents each year in the United States. Others might have minor injuries that do not require an emergency room visit but might need later treatment at a doctor’s office.

Preventable accidents injure thousands of people every day in myriad ways. These injuries all tend to result in significant losses, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and lost quality of life. Some of the more common injuries suffered by our clients are discussed below. Any type of injury from a traffic crash can result in losses, some more extensive than others. If another party caused your accident, they should be liable for your medical bills and other losses, including lost income and pain and suffering. Don’t wait to learn about your rights from a Brandon car accident attorney at the law firm of Carman, Bevington & Finegan, P.A.

Head Injuries

Head injuries can vary, and they include skull fractures, brain injuries, and more. Minor impacts can cause relatively minor injuries such as bumps and bruises. On the other hand, severe crashes can result in concussions and brain tissue damage. These types of injuries are hard to diagnose and may only feel like a mild headache, though they are quite serious. For this reason, you should always get a full medical evaluation if you believe you sustained any type of head trauma.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries, or “TBIs,” are serious injuries that can occur after a bump or blow to the head or when the head snaps back and forth on the neck. They can interfere with the way the brain functions and cause serious complications that last for weeks, months, or even years.

Concussions

Concussions are the most common form of mild traumatic brain injury. They can occur in a variety of contexts, including car accidents, slip and falls, and sports accidents. In some cases, they can cause symptoms that keep victims out of work or school for months. Head injuries can vary, and they include skull fractures, brain injuries, and more. Minor impacts can cause relatively minor injuries such as bumps and bruises. On the other hand, severe crashes can result in concussions and brain tissue damage. These types of injuries are hard to diagnose and may only feel like a mild headache, though they are quite serious. For this reason, you should always get a full medical evaluation if you believe you sustained any type of head trauma.

Neck & Back Injuries

Neck and back injuries are among the most common types of injuries people sustain in vehicle and workplace accidents. They can leave victims immobilized for an extended period of time and may even result in chronic pain. In some severe cases, these injuries can damage the spinal cord and result in body paralysis. Milder injuries can cause problems like herniated disks or sprains. Similar to head injuries, back injuries aren’t always noticeable, so make sure you receive thorough screening after your accident.

Whiplash is a common injury after the neck undergoes rapid back-and-forth movements. This type of injury is common when the driver is rear-ended. Some symptoms to look out for include neck stiffness, pain, and headaches. In many cases, people who have whiplash will start to feel better in a matter of weeks with physical therapy and other treatment. Unfortunately, some cases will cause pain that’ll persist for months or years.

Broken Bones

Virtually any type of accident that can result in physical injury can cause broken bones, and we often see clients who have sustained fractures in car accidents, playground accidents, slip and falls, and recreational accidents. These injuries can be slow to heal, extremely painful, and even cause long-term complications such as deformities and scarring. Bones can break when the physical force applied to them is stronger than the actual bone. Some bone fractures won’t have any open wounds. Compound fractures, however, will penetrate through the skin and require emergency surgery. Bone fractures can cause extreme pain and can prevent use of that body part for weeks or months.

Burns

Burns are among the most painful type of injuries that people can sustain and often require months or even years of ongoing treatment. In many cases, victims are left disfigured and with significant scarring on the affected area. Burns are often sustained in motor vehicle accidents, incidents involving defective consumer products, and workplace accidents.

Lacerations

Lacerations are a serious type of soft tissue injury that occur when a person’s skin or flesh is torn. In some cases, lacerations can damage victims’ nerves, leaving them with issues with sensation and movement. Severe lacerations often leave unsightly scars that may never fully heal.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries are among the most severe injuries that a person can ever sustain. Because the spinal cord injury is the bundle of nerves that allows the brain to communicate with the rest of the body, any damage to it can have devastating results, including paralysis below the site of the injury.

Invisible Injuries

Some injuries are not visible to others, which can cause particular struggles for victims. These include brain injuries, internal injuries, and others that do not have outward symptoms.

Also, invisible, psychological injuries can happen following a traumatic event, such as a major car accident. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common following car crashes. For those struggling with heightened feelings of anxiety or depression, professional help and psychotherapy are often needed to properly heal.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with a Brandon Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a family member has suffered these or any other injuries in an accident, you should speak to an attorney as soon as you can. At Carman, Bevington & Finegan, P.A., we are committed to helping injured victims get the compensation they deserve under Florida law. Schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Brandon today by calling 813-654-3444 or contact us online.